Vocabulary
A government in which one ruler or small group holds absolute power and rules cruelly is called this.
What is tyranny?
This 17-year-old narrator is forced to become an informer for the Securitate.
Cristian
Cristian is recruited by the Securitate after being caught with this hidden item.
What is an American dollar bill?
Bunu's old friend reveals that the coffee Bunu drank during his Securitate interviews was this.
What is drugged/poisoned?
These fruits symbolize the scarcity and deprivation experienced by ordinary Romanians.
What are bananas?
The American dollar that gets Cristian into trouble is considered this type of illegal or forbidden item.
What is contraband?
Cristian's grandfather, who encourages him to seek truth and freedom, has this nickname.
Who is Bunu?
The Americans Cristian is assigned to observe are this family.
Who are the Van Dorns?
Cristian discovers this shocking item hidden inside Cici's box.
What is the Bruce Springsteen article?
These cigarettes function almost like currency and symbolize the value people place on freedom and opportunity.
What are Kents?
Cristian repeats certain thoughts to stay calm and focused; such a repeated phrase is called this.
What is mantra?
This girl breaks up with Cristian because she believes he is informing on her family.
Who is Liliana?
This code name is assigned to Cristian when he becomes an informer.
What is Oscar?
This Romanian city erupts in protests that inspire resistance throughout the country.
What is Timisoara?
For Cristian's family, this object symbolizes a connection to the outside world and hope for freedom.
What is the radio?
Citizens taught to accept political beliefs without questioning them have been this.
What is indoctrinated?
Cristian discovers this family member is actually an informant after finding the Springsteen article in her lockbox.
Who is Cici?
Cristian realizes that the people in American movies all possess this freedom that he lacks.
What is freedom of choice?
After being arrested during the revolution, Liliana and Cristian are taken here.
What is Jilava Prison?
These cars symbolize the power and privilege of the Securitate.
What are Black Dacias?
The title Screaming Whispers combines two contradictory words, making it an example of this literary term.
What is an oxymoron?
Cristian initially believes this friend informed on him after learning about the dollar hidden in his stamp album.
Who is Luca?
This radio station helps Romanians hear information their government tries to hide.
What is Voice of America (or Radio Free Europe)?
As the revolution succeeds, Cristian sees this dictator flee the Committee Building.
Who is Nicolae Ceausescu?
The Romanian flag with a hole cut from its center symbolizes removing this system from Romania.
What is communism (the communist regime)?