The Librarian of Auschwitz

While the author places most of the emphasis on Dita’s point of view, he also chooses to place the point of view in other, secondary or lesser characters. Using a secondary character, and comparing it with Dita, discuss whether you think this style of writing is effective, and explain why or why it doesn’t work in the delivery of the story. 

Dita is relentlessly curious about the death by suicide of her beloved Fredy Hirsch. Using examples from the book, explain how her doubt that he killed himself helps to build the theme of the book. What has Dita learned in the end about his death, and how does it affect her understanding of the war and of herself?

Rudi Rosenberg, a Jew, works for the Nazis as well as the resistance. In an essay, show how these competing lifestyles inform his character. Describe how these two conflicting parts of Rudi’s existence in the camp drive him to eventually escape. What is the turning point, and how does it impact his feelings about the possibility that he will fail and die?