Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Gerda Weissman Klein
In all of the time that I have taught about the Holocaust, few stories have touched me as much as Gerda's story when she writes in her memoir, ALL BUT MY LIFE. It is important to first remember when beginning to read about Gerda that this is a true story. Why does that change how you approach the book? It changes everything, for she writes about her personal history that millions of others also experienced during the Holocaust. She takes us on the journey through her pre-war life and into her post-war life by describing events through the eyes of a teenager who doesn't understand why the world around her is devouring her family and her very life. The Roma survivors of the Holocaust called the Holocaust era "The Devouring" and this is very appropriate to describe what happens to Gerda. Her daily life, her family, her friendships, her possessions, her love...all are devoured by the perpetrators in her life. So, how does she survive? How does anyone survive an event such as this? To learn that, you must read the book! So, my students, begin reading and post your questions and comments here.
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I am a little confused how to do this? I have been working on this for the past couple of hours. Anyways, i wanted to say how much i enjoy reading about the life that Gerda has endured. She was kicked out of her house and was shipped off. Her life was depressing. She had to go through many obstacles in particular the one on page 119. "'And what is done with traitors, you know!' he thundered. 'Those who cannot work for our victory are not needlessly fed. Those we exterminate.'" If someone told me that in my face that I would have to work my tail off in order to have a slight chance of surviving the camp, I would breakdown and cry. If she did that, she would be "exterminated". Another part in the book on page 92 it said that her mother's last words were "be strong". I think that is the big key asset to how she keep working in order to stay alive.
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ReplyDeleteWell i want to say that Gerda Weissman is a very influential person and she has sacrificed so much. The only thing different that i would have done is I would have left as soon as Nazi's invaded my home town. Why stay? If not leave then then leave when you hear that they want you to relocate. What is the sense in staying. I don't mean any disrespect but if you could have convinced your parents to flea before you had to move then maybe you could have sparred their lives or at least prolong it. I guess its just how much someone can endure. It obviously wasn't to much to have a gun pointed to your chest. I feel as if I'm straying off topic a little so let me get back to the book. I understand how you must have felt when your brother left you because my brother also let me but not to go to a camp. He left to go to college which i think of a prison(it's a joke). I felt as if i was never going to see him again, but then again i was only like 10 so what you felt was probably 20 times the way i felt. I was wondering what did you do with the piece of glass that you and your brother found by the church?? I would also like to know if you ever encountered the police officer who let you go when you were learning English. I don't think it was a smart thing to turn down Abek. You could have been free and I don't really see any flaws in the way you described him. But all in all what you do and what you have done has been courageous, passionate, patient, and in good heart.
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Esmeralda Tellez......I still couldnt get in so im just going to do it like this. Well from what i have read Gerda has had a very difficult life. In my belief what she and her family went threw was very cruel and unfair. Her people where killed, abused,neglected and overthrown just because they were jewish.This is a very good book and it really makes you think about all of the thing we take for granted every day.stuff such as family and friends, these are the things that will never be forgotten or replaced nomatter what.
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