All But My Life Complete Overview

13. Who is Meister Zimmer? How do his attitude and behavior differ from those of Frau Kugler?

He was the person who taught them how to operate the looms and spread the Nazi idealism and German philosophy to the girls. His voice was precise and well trained and told them that every mistake would be treated as sabotage

25. What keeps Gerda from throwing herself under a train and ending her life?

Her neck was bothering her and she remembered her promise to her father who had pulled her by the neck.

8. Who is Frau Kügler?

She was the camp supervisor who appeared grim and forbidding, but saved Gerda's life.

36. Why does Gerda want to procure poison?

She would rather die than be turned into a sex slave for the Germans

What does the young man tell the concert audience at the resort of Krynica? Why is he carried away by the police? Do you think he really is a maniac?

"From up there is coming at any minute. There is going to be a war, and you are sittng here dressed up, listening to pretty music. Go home, take up arms. Let us stand against the enemy!" - no he is not crazy, he realizes the inevitability of war.. the others ignore it because they do not want to believe that anything so horrible could happen to them.

2.What is the Militz? How does it differ from the ordinary police force? Why does the Militz Commander feel so hostile toward his own race? Why does he agree to give Gerda her permit?

A Jewish force established by the Germans with an SS and a Jewish Commander. He resents the position he has been put in by the Germans, he feels shamed when Gerda asks him that he must not like having people cry outside his door.

4. What is a Dulag?

A transit camp that serves as a labor pool for the German war effort.

3. Why is Abek's family so generous and hospitable to Gerda? What is Gerda's reaction to their kindness?

Abek 's happiness is at stake, he sacrificed much to tell them that Gerda might be coming and to help her.. she kisses their hands.

28. Why did Abek volunteer to come to Burgberg? Gerda feels responsible for his coming. Do you think that she is responsible? If so, does she make up for it by her loving behavior to Abek during his last days?

Abek volunteers to come to Burgberg to be near Gerda, but she does not show the emotion he needs to see, so he cries. Gerda and Ilse wait for Abek every day and save their food for him. Gerda touches his hand and tries to show sincere love for him.

Why does Zeloski, the baker's delivery man, use the past tense when he speaks of Arthur (p. 19)? Why does Gerda say, "I hate you"?

Because he tells her "you won't see him again" and she does not want to believe that.

Why does Gerda compare herself to Hans Christian Andersen's mermaid?

Because her feet hurt as much as the Mermaids after the witch turned her fins to legs. The mermaids feet felt like they were stepping on knives, and that is what her feet felt like too.

24. Why is the supervisor's question to Gerda, "Are you hungry?" (p. 147) a "tricky" one?

Because if she said yes, she would be accusing the Germans of mistreating her.

Why does Gerda's brother, Arthur, slap her (p.8)?

Because she starts crying after she hands the Germans flowers and her brother does not want her to give them away as Jews to the Germans. Many Non Jewish minorities were frightened and greeted the Germans with "Hiel Hitler" and they wanted to pretend they were not Jewish.

1. "Now I have to live," Gerda reflects on the train (p. 95). What reasons does she give for wanting to live?

Because she was alone and nothing could hurt her anymore, she was going to live for revenge

Why do Mr. and Mrs. Weissmann feel "relief and pride" (p. 6) when their children insist on staying with them?

Because they want to stay together as a family, they feel a sense of security and solidarity doing so and it helps to face the unknown danger being together

What historic event occurred on September 3, 1939? What was its immediate effect on the Weissmanns' lives?

Bloody, Sunday, the 2 days after the German invasion of Poland.. Many non Jewish minorities were killed

27. What does Aussiedlung mean? Why is the word so resonant for the Bielitz Jews?

Deportation, The Beilitz Jews had heard that others had been sent to Auschwitz and what kind of camp that was, but they did not want to believe that this could happen to them.

What does Gerda mean when she says that Niania is an "old Austrian" (p. 34)? Who was the Emperor Franz Josef?

Emperor Franz Josef was emperor of Austria/Hungary until WWI (1916), the heir apparent, Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian, which set of WWI. Niania lived during this time, and therefore thought and behaved like an "old Austrian". She had taken care of Gerda since she was a baby and felt very motherly toward her and the family. She did not worry about the threats of the Germans and continued to help and visit the Weissmann family

18. How did Frau Kügler save Gerda's life? Do you believe that genuine affection existed between Frau Kügler and the girls under her care?

Frau Kugler forced Gerda to come to work even though she was sick, so that she would not be selected to die. I do think that she genuinely cared about the girls under her care and tried to keep them safe for as long as she could.

28. What does Judenrein mean?

Free from Jews

1What is Gerda's first impression of Lt. Kurt Klein? What does he represent to her? Why does she feel compelled to tell him they are Jews? What is his response?

Gerda sees Kurt as the embodiment of heroism and liberty, they have all been instructed to inform people that they are Jewish, and his response is that he is Jewish too.

24. Why does Gerda "despise" Niania when she goes to say goodbye (p. 75)?

Gerda envies Niania's security, the fact that she can stay in her own home without fear.

21. How are Gerda's life and character affected by the terrible letter from Erika? What changes have the dreadful events wrought on Erika's own character? "I want to kill, just kill," she writes (p. 70).

Gerda is forced to face the reality of the brutalities of the Germans. Erika's heart and soul has died, everything she loved has been brutally murdered; now she feels angry, desperate and hopeless and wants revenge.

39. What does Tusia mean when she says that Gerda has given her "belief in humanity" (p. 197)? What is Gerda's response? Is her decision to make up "good news" for the other girls a good one?

Gerda makes people happy, which helped Tusia to believe in humanity. Sometimes Gerda would ignore people and hurt their feelings, but she always turned around and made them happy. Yes, Gerda's decision to make up "good news" was a good one, because it gave the girls hope and strength.

27. What does Gerda state to be the most important quality in a future husband? Why do the other girls laugh at her opinion? Do you agree with her or with them?

Gerda wanted to know if she would see that man as a father for her children. The other girls were thinking of their own lives and what a husband could do to make their lives better, not to burden them with a baby. I agree with Gerda, but understand why the other girls could not conceive of having a baby.

29. How would you describe the farewell Gerda's parents take of one another: joyful, sorrowful, or a combination of the two? What legacy do they leave the young Gerda?

Gerda's parents tried to stay positive, they talked about their life together and what they would do when they were all reunited. Their love kept them strong. When Papa left he did not look back, mama and Gerda were sorrowful, they did not want to show their fear and sorrow to each other, they were strong.

5. Why was she unable to speak German on the radio? Why does Gerda prefer speaking English to any other language?

German brought back the memories of Hitler and the holocaust which terrified her, "Language became a buffer, a free zone, a filter from her emotions from which she could retreat."

Why doesn't Arthur want his family to accompany him to the station? Why doesn't he turn around as he leaves the house?

He does not want them to see him be loaded in the cattle cars and abused, that is not the last memory he wants them to have, he wants them to be happy as long as possible

When one of Arthur's classmates tells him that young Jewish boys are being murdered in the camps, Arthur says, "Nonsense" (p. 17). Why doesn't he believe this?

He does not want to believe it, he says it is what "foolish people try to invent"... he is trying to believe this himself. Also he does not want his parents, friends or family to be afraid for him.

Why does Mr. Weissmann decide that the family should sell all of their belongings? What words would you use to describe Gerda's feelings after the sale?

He does not want to leave his wife's side, so the people come to them to buy their things. Gerda feels that they are doomed to death, their lives are gone

31. Who is the Betriebsleiter? This man is what one would describe as a sadist. What is a sadist, and which of the Betriebsleiter's characteristics are sadistic?

He is the director of Grunberg, tall and thin with a big ring on his hands that he uses to beat the girls until they are covered with blood.

What does Gerda's father have in mind when he says, "Whatever you are thinking now is wrong" (p. 32)? What promise does Gerda make to him at this moment?

He knows she is contemplating suicide and promises her father not to do so.

22. How does Gerda deduce Arthur's changing state of mind from his letters?

His letter does not contain any real news, only a change in address and the words seem to be written by an unsteady hand. She believes he is trying to conceal his torment.

40. Why do the guards abandon the marchers?

Hitler had died and the Americans were coming, they ran to save themselves. They locked the girls in a factory with a bomb on the outside but it did not go off, some came back to shoot the girls, but they were chased off by the Czechs.

38. Why do Gerda and Ilse not carry out Gerda's plan to go to the police station? What might have happened to them had they done this?

Ilse had a fearful feeling that Gerde shared... then they heard the SS shoot 14 girls that had escaped into the forest. They also might have been shot if they were caught escaping.

33. What is tuberculosis? What happens to the girls who contract it in Grunberg?

It is a fatal and contagious infection of the lungs, the girls who have it are sent to Auschwitz to die.

41. What is the significance of the white flag hanging from the church steeple in Volary?

It is the white flag of peace.

Why is Gerda not able to summon a doctor the night her father has a heart attack?

It was after curfew, and Gerda was not allowed to leave the house. Jews cannot use the phone

17. What makes Gerda sense that she will never see Arthur again after receiving his frayed, dirty letter?

It was dirty and frayed, reminding her of Erika's letter when her mother and brother were killed.

25. Why do Gerda's parents refuse to look back at their old home when they leave for the ghetto? Why does Gerda choose to look back?

It would be too painful for Gerda's parents to look back at their house, which represents the good life they had as a family, they have no choice but to walk to an uncertain future. Gerda does not want to let go of the memories of her garden, birthday celebrations, security, and family so she looks back and pretends this is all not happening.

16. Why is Lotte weeping at the camp fence? Why is she, unlike Gerda, unable to draw on happy memories to help her survive?

Lotte, did not have a happy childhood. She did not have a father when she was young, and was reunited with him as a girl. Her parents were getting back together; she was to have a family when her father was killed on a train wreck. Now she goes from camp to camp.

What does it mean to the Polish Jews that the Germans have violated their pact with the Russians (p. 46)?

Russia was an Allie, the Jews were safe in Russian territory, now there would be more murder and persecution. What will it mean to Arthur? He may be captured and taken to a concentration camp or killed.

30.Who is Merin? Why does he say to Gerda, "Are you crazy?" (p. 90)? Why does he throw her back on the truck and say, "You are too young to die" (p. 91)? Is it because he pities her and wants to save her life, or because, as a worker, she will be useful to the Nazi State?

Merin: "King of the Jews", he is a mousy small man who worked with the SS to exterminate the Jews, and was thought to be greatly rewarded by the Germans. Gerda asked if they were going to Wadawitz to work but Merin knew that they were to be either deported to gas chambers in Auschwitz or labor camps there would be no more Jews here. He does not pity Gerda, but sees her as someone who can be useful to the Nazi state. He faintly smiles as if he enjoys seeing her pain and suffering.

What does Kurt mean when he says, "It seems we fought a war against the Nazis, but I haven't met a Nazi yet" (p. 221)? (not sure of this one)

Most of the Nazi's dispersed before the Americans arrived at the concentration camps.

10. Who is Mrs. Berger? What does she imply in her short speech to the young women (p. 116)? Do you believe that her methods for dealing with the prisoners were good ones? Do you find her a sympathetic character?

Mrs. Berger is assigned to be the direct supervisor of the girls. In her speech, she implied that they were not weak and foolish and would do what was needed without begging or emotion.

23. In April 1942, the Jews in Bielitz are ordered to move to the quarter near the railway terminal which would become their "ghetto." What does the word ghetto mean? What was its original meaning, and what has it come to signify today?

Original meaning was an island near Venice where Jews were forced to reside in the 16th century, today it is a slumlike section of a city where inhabited by an ethnic minority group as a result of social or economic restrictions, pressures or hardships.

What is the significance of Gerda's guilt over having purloined, long ago, a rum ball? How does this guilt figure into her current life?

She ate a rum ball that her mother prepared to send to her Aunt in Auschwitz. Even though the package of food never reached them and was returned, she felt guilty, oppression and loneliness because she took something away from someone she loved. Even today she feels the same way if she forgets to give something to someone she loves.

30. Why did Gerda decline to see Abek in Burgberg, writing him a note instead?

She did not want him to break down. She could not bear that. She wanted him to have more pleasant memories instead.

Why doesn't Gerda tell her parents about her conversation with Arthur's friend Peter, even after they discover that Arthur is still alive?

She does not want her parents to stop trusting her... she feared that her parents would "never trust her again." Also, she felt that "sparing her parents disappointment and pain gave her new confidence and strength"

What is Gerda's initial reaction to Abek? Does she feel positive, negative, or uncertain?

She feels annoyed, bothered and uncomfortable with him and yet still somewhat drawn to him. She feels both "nervous and excited". Excited because of the interest he shows in her, but nervous because he is so much older and she does not know anything about him.

Gerda writes, "Survival is both an exalted privilege and a painful burden" (p. 247). What does she mean by this? In what way is it a burden?

She feels so fortunate to have survived but has a responsibility to those who died to make sure that this never happens again.

Why does Mrs. Weissmann decide to visit the cemetery after Arthur leaves home?

She goes to visit her mother and grandmother's graves, she feels it would be lucky if her children could stand on her grave.. she most likely will be taken by the Germans and die away from home, and her children may perish there as well.

5. What are Gerda's emotions on seeing Liesel, Suse, and Ilse's graves? Why does she turn abruptly away from them?

She grieves at the loss of her closest friends but realizes that she must get away from her past, the dead and her thoughts to start a new future. She wonders of her memories would haunt her forever.

31.Why does Gerda walk away from her mother without looking back?

She knew that if she turned around they would run toward each other and the Germans would beat or shoot them. So she knew they had to walk alone.

6. Why does Gerda refuse the working card and decide to move on to the camp? What does her decision have to do with Abek? Why doesn't she want any "special privileges" (p. 107)?

She knows that if she accepts the working card she will be indebted to Abek and his family. She does not love Abek and does not want to marry him, and is willing to take the uncertainty of camp over the certainty of a life of unhappiness with Abek. She also hopes she can be reunited with her family somehow.

20. What message does Gerda communicate in the play she writes and performs for her fellow prisoners? In what way does the play manage to convey hope? What does Gerda get out of the experience of putting on the play, and why does she count it as the "greatest thing I have done in my life" (p. 142)?

She thanks God that she was able to "help them forget" the pain and horrors of the German brutalities and murders. Her plays make the girls laugh and give them joy that they cannot experience in their everyday lives and an opportunity to escape from their captivity.

14. How does Mrs. Berger get Gerda to acknowledge her father's death? Do you think Mrs. Berger's method is kind? What method does Gerda use to cope with the dreadful knowledge?

She tries to shock Gerda by slapping her, but when that does not work, shows her a picture of her own family who has most likely died and tells her that they are all in the same boat. Gerda wails like her father did when Arthur left to get her emotions out.

What does Ulla represent to the young Gerda? Why does Gerda decide to learn English, despite the danger of doing so?

She was beautiful and represented everything Gerda wanted to be, she also had a PHD in English literature, and offers to teach Gerda English. She wanted to surprise Arthur when he got home with her ability to speak English, like he could. Plus it is vengeance against the Germans

26. Upon seeing Litzi, Frau Kugler, and Mrs. Berger again, Gerda's reaction is "This was home!" (p. 153). What has she learned from her experiences at Marzdorf?

That camps were brutal and she would die from the work, mistreatment, hunger and exhaustion if forced to stay. Home is where people who love and care for you are.

The night before Arthur leaves home, he sits at his desk "looking through the mementos of his youth" (p.18). What thoughts do you think are going through Arthur's head?

That he is leaving his youth forever, a life that he may never return to again, and may very well die.

3.What are Gerda's feelings about suicide? What has formed these opinions?

That it is wrong to seek a permanent solution for a temporary problem. That with all the atrocities of the camps no one touched the electrified fence, life is precious and should be treated that way.

29. Why do Italian prisoners suddenly appear in Burgberg? What has happened in the war to turn the Italians and the Germans into enemies?

The Americans had captured Italy, now the Italians were enemies of the Germans and Italian prisoners appear in camp.

37. Why do the authorities decide to embark on the march to Czechoslovakia? What turn in the war has prompted this flight?

The Germans are losing the war and they do not want the girls to be discovered, so they intend to march them to death.

23. Who is Frau Aufsicht?

The Overseer with the Bullwhip who whips the girls and forces them to pull her around in a child's cart.

34. What impact does the beating by the SS guard have on Gerda? How does it affect her will to survive? How does it affect the other girls?

The blows "shatter the wall of strength" she had built around her, she did not know how it affected the other girls, "if only they do not touch her flesh, she could survive"

32. What is the Spinnerei? Why is it so dangerous to work there?

The lint and dust from the machines got into the girls lungs and caused tuberculosis or other disease, the work was hard, the machines were big and fast and difficult to operate.

What does the State of Israel symbolize to Gerda?

The love of her parents, the home she has lost as well as the spiritual home of her childhood.

11. Why does the moon become Gerda's "loyal friend"? What does the moon signify to her?

The moon is always there for her and can watch over everyone. It represents consistency and more of a maternal protector who will watch over her.

26. Why are Gerda's parents in better spirits when they arrive in their ghetto apartment?

The thing they had feared most was done, the moving was over.

21. In the summer of 1943, a change comes over Bolkenhain: incoming mail is cut off, Meister Zimmer becomes abusive, and there is not enough raw material for spinning. What is the meaning of this multifaceted change? What turn is the war taking for the Germans?

The war is not going well for the Germans, there is not enough yarn to keep the looms working, so the mail is cut off as punishment to the girls.

5. Who are the "living skeletons" Gerda meets in the Dulag? Where are they to be sent?

They are girls that are sick, starving, hurt and no longer able to work. They will be sent to Auschwitz to die.

22. How do the Marzdorf Judenalteste and Lagerfuhrerin differ from their counter parts at Bolkenhain? What does this mean for the inmates?

They are physically cruel to the girls, mean and uncaring

Why don't Gerda's parents react when the carpet begins to burn (p. 8)?

They did not seem to care, they just watched it burn, their possession no longer have meaning to them, their lives mean more.

Why does the "drunken, jubilant mob" in Bielitz believe it has been liberated (p. 9)?

They do not want Hitler and the Germans to persecute them. They welcome the Nazis and thank them for their liberation, the Polish people want to be rescued by the Allies, because they were persecuted as minorities

On the day of the Nazi invasion, Gerda's parents ask her to telephone the other family members, but when she does, there is no reply (p. 6). Why not? Where have these people gone?

They escaped when they knew the war was inevitable and went to find refuge in the interior of Poland or other places occupied by the Russians or other countries that were not occupied by Germany.

9. Bolkenhain is Gerda's first view of the "homeland of Nazism" (p. 114). How do the Germans there seem different from those she observed in Poland? What is "propaganda," and what effect has it had on the German people's preconceptions about Jews?

They looked as if they expected Jews to be monsters, different from themselves. Propaganda is the deliberate spreading of rumors, these Germans have been taught that Jews were responsible for the war and were to be hated.

35. Why are the girls undressed and given numbers (pp. 178-179)?

They were being inspected to see if they were healthy girls that could be used for the German officers amusement

19. How did Abek's mother and sisters die? What mixed emotions does their fate inspire in Gerda? Why is she ashamed of her own feelings?

They were either murdered in the fields or sent to Auschwitz, Gerda feels emptiness and sorrow at their death, but happy that she did not stay with them. She feels ashamed and guilty about her decision not to stay with them and that she has it better than most in the camp she now lives in.

12. Why do the inmates of Bolkenhain have to wear three stars? Why is it necessary that they be identified as Jews from every angle?

This would make it easy to count them and make certain no one escaped, and Frau Kreuger could easily tell who they were.

When does Gerda finally admit to herself that her parents are dead? Why has she delayed the acknowledgement until this moment?

When she starts to recover and knows that she must go home, she realizes that there will not be anyone there. She no longer needs to cling to the hope of their survival and is gathering the strength to face life without them. This is confirmed when she gets a reply from her Uncle in Turkey that he has not heard from them either.

7. During the train ride to the camp, why does Suse Kunz say that she feels "pretty good, in spite of everything" (p. 113)? Does this statement reflect Gerda's mood?

Yes, in spite of everything, Gerda feels relieved that she has only herself to worry about and does not need to consider, Abek or her parents, all the decisions had been made.

15. What is Yom Kippur? Why do the prisoners decide to fast, and what satisfaction do they derive from this fasting?

Yom Kippur is the day of atonement, the prisoners take satisfaction that they can still maintain their Jewish traditions of fasting and keep up with their work.