CHARACTER
The name of the mother in the story
Who is Klara Hitler?
What theme is highlighted through the mother's anxiety?
Fear and uncertainty surrounding motherhood and infant mortality.
Identify an example of dialogue in the story.
“He’s so small," she whispered. "He’s bound to be small. He was a month premature."
When was "Genesis and Catastrophe" published?
1962
What does the baby symbolize for the mother?
Hope, renewal, and a chance for survival despite past tragedies.
The mother's emotional state during her conversation with the doctor.
What is desperate, anxious, and deeply fearful, as she worries her newborn son will die like her previous children?
Discuss the theme of hope versus despair in the story.
The mother is clinging to hope despite her tragic past, contrasted with the father’s lack of enthusiasm.
What is the effect of the doctor’s reassurance on the mother?
It provides temporary comfort, but the mother remains haunted by her past losses.
What historical context is relevant to the story?
The early life of Adolf Hitler and the high infant mortality rates in 19th-century Austria.
Analyze the significance of the baby's name, Adolfus.
An ironic historical reference, as the baby will grow up to be Adolf Hitler
What previous experiences does the mother share about her past children?
What is that she has lost three children before, all of whom died shortly after birth?
How does the story address the issue of inherited traits?
Characteristics—whether physical, emotional, or moral—can be inherited, particularly in historical hindsight.
How does the author use imagery to convey the setting?
Vivid descriptions of the newborn baby’s frail body and the cold, sterile environment of the hospital
How does the story reflect societal attitudes towards childbirth at the time?
The fear and fragility surrounding childbirth, especially in impoverished families of the time.
What does the doctor’s bag represent?
Medical authority, knowledge, and the attempt to bring reassurance amid fear.
Analyze the significance of the mother's request to see her baby.
What is a desperate need for reassurance that this baby will survive, unlike her previous children?
Explain how societal expectations affect the characters' beliefs about their child.
The idea that society’s values and expectations shape parental attitudes and perceptions of children?
Discuss the use of foreshadowing in the mother's fears.
The mother’s insistence that something bad will happen, foreshadowing the historical identity of the baby.
Discuss the significance of the characters' names in relation to history.
The historical realization that the baby is Adolf Hitler, making the mother’s hopes and fears deeply ironic.
Discuss the symbolism of the mother's tears.
Relief, sorrow, and a mixture of emotions tied to both past loss and future uncertainty.
How does the father’s reaction contrast with the mother’s?
The mother is overwhelmed with relief and hope, while the father remains indifferent and dismissive
What does the doctor's role represent in the context of the story?
A rational, reassuring perspective that contrasts with the mother’s fear and foreshadows the baby’s survival?
How does the author create tension through the character interactions?
Through short, tense exchanges, stark contrasts between the mother and father, and the doctor’s measured tone
How does the setting influence the mood of the narrative?
The bleak, uncertain atmosphere reflecting both personal tragedy and historical implications.
How do the physical descriptions of the characters contribute to the story's themes?
The contrast between the baby’s frailty and the ominous weight of historical knowledge.