Part Four
Quotations
"As time progressed, a clear distinction developed between two very different worlds-- the world inside 33 Himmel Street, and the one that resided and turned outside it. The trick was to keep them apart."--Death, Part Four (221)
This quote tells me that the situation happening in the Hubermann household can never be seen by the outside world. If these doings did get out to the public, Max would be taken away (probably killed), Leisel would be taken away, and Hans and Rosa would probably be imprisoned.
"When he thought about traveling to Munich. Clearly, he wished, along with the other parties involved, that the journey would not have to be made at all.
You don't always get what you wish for. Especially in Nazi Germany."--Death, Part Four (196)
You don't always get what you wish for. Especially in Nazi Germany."--Death, Part Four (196)
Nazi Germany throughout WWII was not so great for Jewish people. They would get imprisoned, put in death camps, put in labor camps, and really any other means of getting rid of them. And I'm pretty sure no one would want to wish for any of that on them, but some didn't have a choice. Max did though. He may have not wanted to take this journey to Munich, but he did if he wanted to live.
"I've seen so many young men over the years who think they're running at other young men. They are not. They're running at me."
- -Death, Part Four (174-175)
This quote tells me that the Men during world war I weren't fighting a war of sides, but fighting a war of death. There really wasn't a true victor of World War I, but the only cictor that I see as winning was Death. Death took more than any country or person could.
Images
This picture reminds me of Max in the basement of the Hubermann's house. As he sits in the cold basement forever waiting for the the world to come to a time of peace again, he hopes that he is spared from the atrocities that are currently sweeping across the Earth.
This picture gives me a look at what Hans Hubermann's accordion looks, the accordion that he always plays to calm and sooth Leisel, as well as pass the time. His accordion was given to him from from his good war friend named Erik Vandenburg, who died in World War I.
Connections and Historical Context
Click here if you want to learn more about Jewish Life during the Holocaust.
Watch the video below to listen to the Blue Danube Waltz. This song was a favorite for Hans Hubermann's close war friend Erik Vandenburg.
Questions
Why did Erik Vandenburg urge for Hans to take the letter writing task?
As a child, what might be a reason as to why Max gets involved in so many fights?
What are some things Rosa and Hans could have been arguing about throughout Max's stay in their house.
How did a friendship form between Max Vandenburg and Walter Kugler?
My Thoughts and Response
I found this part of the novel full of disception, especially since the Hubermann family is hiding a Jewish man in their house. I think my favorite part of this section of the book is when I learned the backstory to Hans Hubermann's accordion. During this telling by the beloved narrator we know as Death, I learn that he was involved in World War I, where he met a man named Erik Vandenburg, where "a firm friendship was built on gambling, smoking and music, not to mention a shared desire for survival"(175). Sadly this friendship ended due to Erik Vandenburg dying in action. I got pretty emotional whenever Hans went to Erik's wife and tries returning the accordion to her. Even though she refuses, Hans plays Erik's favorite song on the accordion, making Erik's wife cry immensely. I found the back story of the accordion to be the best section part 4 because of the emotions that it brings to me.
The rest of Part Four was great. I especially liked when it went in depth about Max's backstory, where I felt that he only has survived this long due to the fight inside of him. I also learned more about the the situation that is currently playing out in the Hubermann household. Max is welcomed into the household, and he is a made a place of rest in the basement of the house. Leisel is told to keep her mouth closed and to never tell anyone about Max. She complies and never does tell anyone. Max eventually moves up to the living room due to the basement being way to cold to live in, but He also starts talking with the rest of the family. Leisel and Max form a quick friendship since they both have to deal with nightmares, but when they found out they both have nightmares, they stop having them. Overall Part Four was great and showed me a lot more to this new character Max as well as Hans Hubermann.
The rest of Part Four was great. I especially liked when it went in depth about Max's backstory, where I felt that he only has survived this long due to the fight inside of him. I also learned more about the the situation that is currently playing out in the Hubermann household. Max is welcomed into the household, and he is a made a place of rest in the basement of the house. Leisel is told to keep her mouth closed and to never tell anyone about Max. She complies and never does tell anyone. Max eventually moves up to the living room due to the basement being way to cold to live in, but He also starts talking with the rest of the family. Leisel and Max form a quick friendship since they both have to deal with nightmares, but when they found out they both have nightmares, they stop having them. Overall Part Four was great and showed me a lot more to this new character Max as well as Hans Hubermann.