CH 40 Joseph
What city do Josef and the other passengers on the St. Louis see as they near the coast?
The see Miami
How does Isabel feel when she first sees the lights of Miami on the horizon?
Isabel feels a mix of relief and sadness. She is relieved to be close to the United States but also feels guilty for being happy while mourning Iván
What is Mahmoud's initial reaction when the Serbian taxi driver points a gun at him?
Mahmoud is initially unsure if it’s real or if he is still dreaming.
What is Josef's initial feeling as he watches the other kids on A-deck?
He feels a sense of longing and wishes he could be a little kid again, carefree and oblivious to the dangers around him.
How does Isabel react when she learns that her mother is going into labor?
Isabel is initially shocked and confused.
How does Mahmoud feel when he first regains consciousness in the chaos?
Mahmoud feels disoriented and in immense pain, struggling to breathe and feeling the effects of tear gas, with his eyes stinging and his nose burning.
What is the passengers’ reaction when they learn that the United States has refused them entry?
The passengers react with shock and panic. There are cries, gasps, tears, and an outburst from the crowd. Some passengers even express fears of being sent back to Germany
How does Isabel attempt to help prevent the boat from sinking?
Isabel tries to loosen the engine by kicking at it and working to get it free, hoping to reduce the weight at the back of the boat.
What does Mahmoud promise his mother?
Mahmoud promises his mother that he will find Hana again and bring her back to the family.
What decision does Josef make after speaking with Pozner?
Josef decides to help take over the ship to try to protect his family from being sent back to Germany, despite the dangers of mutiny.
What metaphor does Isabel use to describe their situation?
Isabel compares their journey to a fugue, a musical theme that is repeated without resolution, symbolizing their ongoing struggles and unresolved fate as refugees.
What happens when Mahmoud and his father are processed?
Mahmoud and his father are processed by the authorities, but Mahmoud’s father angrily refuses asylum in Hungary, expressing his desire to continue their journey to Austria. He is then told that if they do not stay, they will be sent back to Serbia.
What does Pozner, a passenger, say about his situation and the possibility of returning to Europe?
Pozner expresses that for many of the passengers, returning to Europe means being sent to concentration camps. He warns that returning to Germany would be equivalent to death.
What is Lito’s plan after the engine is thrown overboard?
Lito suggests that they row the boat toward shore, and once they’re close enough, the tide will carry them the rest of the way, or they will swim.
Why does Mahmoud feel worried about his little brother, Waleed?
He is worried because Waleed seems unfazed by everything happening around him, including air raids and violent events.
How does Captain Schroeder react when he sees the mutineers on the bridge?
Schroeder remains calm and matter-of-fact, stating that the passengers won’t support the mutineers and that they could be charged with piracy. He tries to downplay the situation and discourage the mutineers.
How does Luis react when he realizes that the Coast Guard is after another boat?
Luis is relieved and hopeful, as he sees that the Coast Guard's searchlight is focused on a different raft, giving them a chance to escape. He suggests that none of them will be sent to Guantanamo.
How does Mahmoud cope with the situation as they are processed?
Mahmoud tries to remain invisible, keeping his head down and his hoodie up, trying to blend in and avoid attracting attention from the guards.
What plan does Pozner propose to Josef?
Pozner proposes that a group of passengers will storm the bridge, take hostages, and force the captain to run the ship aground on the American coast, hoping to find refuge in the U.S.
What causes everyone to jump in surprise towards the end of the chapter?
The sound of an electronic siren and the appearance of a red swirling light causes everyone to jump
What happens when the refugees try to rush the border?
The Hungarian soldiers respond by firing tear gas into the crowd.
What is Josef’s reaction to the other mutineers agreeing to Captain Schroeder’s terms?
Josef is angry and frustrated. He refuses to agree with the others and throws his pipe to the ground, feeling powerless because he believes they are going back to Europe, and there is nothing he can do to stop it.
What does Señor Castillo urge the group to do when they have a chance to escape?
Señor Castillo urges the group to paddle quietly toward the shore as quickly as possible, stressing the importance of being silent because sound travels easily on the water.
How does Mahmoud's father react to the situation in the "processing center"?
Mahmoud’s father is angry and distraught, refusing to stay in Hungary after being treated so poorly, and he expresses his frustration by shouting at the officer and slamming his hand on the table.
What is revealed about Josef's mother's past during her conversation with him on the dance floor?
She reveals that she had an older brother named Josef who died in the Great War at the Battle of the Somme, and that she named her son after him.
What does Lito suggest as a solution after the engine is thrown overboard?
Lito suggests that they will row the boat toward shore, and once they’re close enough, the tide will carry them the rest of the way, or they will swim.
What is Mahmoud’s father’s attitude toward the situation as they wait at the bus stop?
Mahmoud’s father is resilient and tries to stay practical.
Why does Josef feel so strongly about not going back to Germany?
Josef is terrified of the possibility of returning to Germany because of the atrocities he has heard about in the concentration camps.
What happens when Isabel’s mother cries out during her labor?
When Isabel’s mother cries out in pain, her screams are heard across the water, alerting the Coast Guard to their location and putting them in greater danger.
What is Mahmoud’s emotional state at the end of the passage?
Mahmoud feels defeated, anxious, and desperate. He is overwhelmed by the situation, the separation from his family, and the harsh treatment they are receiving.