Characterisation
(Laurie)
How does Marie-Laure's father's job as a locksmith influence his teaching methods and the tools he provides her to help navigate her blindness.
Problem solving --> Creates puzzle boxes
Uses different keys to let Marie-Laure feel and identify --> develops senses further, more observant
Emily
"(...)when the 88 fires twice in quick succession. It's the first time he's heard the gun at such close range, and it sounds as if the top half of the hotel has torn off. He stumbles and throws his arms over his ears. The walls reverberate all the way down into the foundation, then back up."
List out 1 theme of this quote.
War/fear/cruelty/tension/danger/despair/etc
Piers
"It's the first time he's heard the gun at such close range, and it sounds like the top half of the hotel has torn off". What figurative language is being used in the quote above?
Hyperbole
Lucas
Why was the Sea of Flames locked deep inside a specially built vault?
People thought that whoever had the Sea of Flames would be immortal, but would curse their loved ones.
Emily
“As if a great river of machinery is steaming slowly, irrevocably, toward her.” (p61) What literary device is used in this quote?
Simile
(Hayley)
Does Marie-Laure's disability affect her passion and hobbies? What can we infer about her personality based on her attitude towards her disability?
No, she continues to do what she likes, she never gives up. She is resilient and mature.
Laurie
How does the theme of human connection play a role in the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner?
Marie-Laure's relationship with father: Her father helps Marie-Laure develop her senses and skills through support
Werner's connection with sister: Spend time together and protective. Memories, not so alone without parents.
Kayla
On pg 70, the chapter 'Bye-bye, Blind Girl', "And yet everything radiates tension, as if the city has built upon the skin of a balloon and someone inflating it toward the breaking point. "What Figure of Speech is used here? Who is the "Someone?" What is the author trying to convey here?
Simile
The "Someone" is the German forces
The author is trying to convey that the city is on the edge of collapse, and the Germans are the ones that is leading to destruction of the city.
Dennis
Explain how Marie-Laure's father teaches her to navigate around town? Provide 2 examples.
Marie-Laure's father builds a model town for Marie to visualize and memorize her surroundings. Marie-Laure's father also brings Marie to random places in town to her to navigate her way back home again. Lastly Marie-Laure's father's compassion and love drove Marie to persevere through the unknown to regain the ability to navigate around her home once again.
Chase
“Good evening, he thinks. Or heil Hitler, if you prefer” (pg 69) reflect on this thought made by Werner. Briefly explain it.
It reflects the Germans' high belief in Hitler, and the quote shows that Hitler has a god-like rank. The Germans love their country and think of Hitler very highly, the people are willing to sacrifice for the country. It also shows their admiration towards him. It also shows his sarcasm.
(Chase)
From page 27 "Hasn't had an easy road, you know. His father dead in the war, his wife dead in child birth. And now this?" "Like they're cursed."
How does this quote above reflect on Daniel LeBlanc's character as he faces these problems, yet still tries to support Marie-Laure in her daily life.
It shows the strong and supportive figure the father is, that he still wants to help his daughter, despite facing the "curse"/bad luck in his life. He helps Marie-Laure become more independent and consistently shows her love.
Hayley
Werner grew up without his parents, how did this affect him as a person and his personality. What theme does this reflect?
It made him more independent and mature faster.
Theme: Independence/isolation/maturity
Kayla
Key Pound, "Spaces she once knew as familiar - the four room flat she shares with her father, the little tree line square at the end of their street - have become labyrinths bristling with hazards."
What 2 literary devices are used, what does it imply?
Metaphor – The familiar spaces (the flat and the square) are described as "labyrinths bristling with hazards," comparing them to complex, dangerous mazes. This suggests that what was once safe and known now feels confusing and threatening.
Imagery – The line "little tree-lined square" and "labyrinths bristling with hazards" emphasizes the contrast between past comfort and present difficulties.
Here it implies that Marie Laure feels confused and unsafe in places that were once in her comfort zone, this suggest that there is a change in her recognization of Paris, because of the trauma, fear, of the war.
Lucas
Marie-Laure's father receives orders that force them to leave Paris. Before they leave, he retrieves an item from the museum of natural history. What is this item and why is it significant to their journey.
He retrieves the Sea of Flames, but it might be a replica. This adds some uncertainty and a sense of danger to their journey as the Sea of Flames is said to grant immortality to the person who has it but curse their loved ones.
Emily
In the quote “ Even the poorest pit houses usually possess a state - sponsored Volksempfanger VE301, a mass-produced radio stamped with an eagle and a swastika, incapable of shortwave, marked only for German frequencies.” (p63). What is the purpose of the German government for providing radios only for German frequencies purposely.
Answer: The purpose of the German government providing only German frequency radios was to prevent its people from accessing information from the outside world, and opposite voices. In order to control that all information received are all from the German government, which supports their rule. This is a method to brainwash and manipulate the people.
(Emily)
"Jutta whispers: A girl got kicked out of the swimming hole today(...). They said they wouldn't let us swim with a half-breed. Unsanitary. A half-breed, Werner. Aren't we half-breeds too? Aren't we half our mother, half out father? They mean half-Jew. Keep your voice down. We're not half-Jews." "We must be half anything." "We're whole German. We're not half anything."
What is Werner's attitude in this incident? What can be said about this character based on his reaction to Jutta here?
Werner is very cautious about discussing this event. His reaction of asking Jutta to be quieter reflects that he doesn't want Jutta to talk about such sensitive topics, in order to prevent her being jeopardised by this conversation. This emphasizes Werner's protective, cautious, careful and vigilant character.
Chase
How do the experiences of Werner and Marie-Laure in their respective environments reflect the broader themes of the impact of war on innocence and the human connection admist chaos.
Through the too young to good at fixing the radio, the sadness of leaving Paris of Marie-Laure, reflects the innocence of the residents to get impact by the war. Also shows the cruelty of the war and the gap between human connection
Piers
"Now the bombers are so close that the floor starts to throb under her knees. Out in the hall, the crystal pendents of the chandelier suspended above the stairwell chime." What imagery is used in the quote above? What mood does this imagery create?
Auditory imagery is used in the quote. The quote also creates tension.
Hayley
Han Scholzer and Herribert Ponsel left to join Hitler Youth. Reflect on the influence the Hitler Youth has on young children/teens. How did it create an impact on them? Does this change the environment of the orphanage?
The Hitler Youth brainwashed children, turning them into enthusiastic nationalists, while hiding identities like Frau Elena’s fear of speaking French. The government destroyed innocence, family bonds, and free thought through brainwashing and oppression.
Dennis
“In Young Girls League” she whispers ”they have us making socks. Why so many socks?” “The reich must need socks.” ”For what?” ”For feet, Jutta. For the soliders. Let me sleep.”’(pg 73)
From the following quote, how does it reflect the reality of war? How does Jutta feel about this?
From the following quote we can see how the Reich is allowing kids to work in factories in order to create items for the ongoing war. This reflects the sad reality of war as the Reich is relying on child labor to create goods.This also shows the great demand and war has. From the quote we can see her nativity and innocence. Jutta is seen to question what she is doing, not knowing she is exploited to do child labor, fueling the ongoing war. We can also observe an underlying sense of annoyance, as she doesn't understand what is happening and the purpose of what she is doing this for.
(Kayla)
Chapter, All the world in eighty days:
"He is an olive green when talks to a department head, an escalating series of oranges when he speaks to Mademoiselle Fleury from the greenhouses."
What does this show about how Marie-Laure sees the relationship between her dad comparing to other people in her life. What does it also imply about the relationship between Marie-Laure and Daniel.
When Daniel speaks to a department head in "olive green," it conveys formal and a serious tone, while when he is talking with Mademoiselle Fleury, she imagines her father in "escalating oranges" , this conveys that he may be excited to meet Mademoiselle Fleury. This shows that Marie-Laure observes her father's relationships, she is really curious about her surroundings and always observant of what is happening. Besides, it also highlights the closeness between her and her dad, because she understands his emotions so well. The colors show she knows him deeply, just like how you might know exactly what mood your parent is in just by how they are acting. It also highlights how much she looks up to him. (inspiring)
Piers
Choose one theme that is presented in the book. How is this theme reflected through the actions of the character Marie-Laure.
Family Bonds: Marie-Laure's close relationship with her father, Daniel, is important towards her character growth. He creates intricate models of cities to help her navigate, symbolizing the strength of their bond and his dedication towards the well-being of his daughter
War and its Impact: The novel begins during World War II, highlighting the damage and fear it brings. Marie-Laure's blindness and her isolation during the bombing of Saint-Malo emphasize the vulnerability of civilians caught in the chaos of war
The Power of Knowledge/ Curiosity: Despite losing her sight, Marie-Laure continues to explore and learn, showing resilience. Her fascination with books and the natural world reflects her determination to adapt and learn, even when she is at a disadvantage
(IF YOU CHOOSE A DIFFERENT EXAMPLE AND IT IS EXPLAINED PROPERLY, YOU STILL GET THE POINT!!!)
Laurie
How does the author's choice to NOT use euphemism throughout the novel help show the pain of loss and suffering?
Instead of using "pass away" for death or "conflict" for war, the book directly says these things, making it more intense and realistic. Also it helps to show the pain of the citizens because it makes it more impactful.
Dennis
Discuss the environment in which Werner grew up in. Provide at least 3 examples. And how do these examples impact the character's traits or skills?
Werner and his sister were orphans at a young age making them more independent.
The orphanage had limited funding so Werner became more resourceful in order to survive.
Werner’s fate of becoming a miner motivated him to seek other alternatives, which then motivated him to foster his talent and develop his qualities.
Lucas
How does the experiences of Werner and Marie-Laure reflect on the modern problems in the society. Please provide 3 or more examples.
Reflects on the modern problems of war, causing poverty, famine, child hunger, human rights, devastation of war, family dynamics and loss of family.