1. What scenes or images were most powerful for you, and why? What lessons or messages did these scenes offer?
The scene that really got to me was when Hilda was talking about how she knew that she was going to die and that Gerda must make sure that she doesn't tell Hilda's parents how she died. It was a very powerful part because it forced me to imagine the scenario play out, and also, Hilda seemed very calm when she spoke of her death. Another thing that made the scene powerful was that it made me also imagine one of my family members dying a horrible, unknown death, and never seeing that family member again. One message that this scene portrays is that Jewish people were treated so harshly during the Holocaust that they felt like they didn't have anything to look forward to in life and that dying was fine by them.
2. How did the Nazi's dehumanize Jews? How did Gerda Weissmann work to overcome dehumanization, and who helped her?
The Nazi's did many things to dehumanize Jews. To do this, they did exactly the opposite of what they would do to a human. The first thing Nazi's did that made Jews question their being human was taking the Jews away from their homes, friends, and close possessions. When the Jews arrive at the camps, they are separated from their family forever. Soon after, Jews whole bodies are shaved so that NO hair remains. Another thing that Nazi's do is rid of the Jews names and instead, give them numbers. Knowing the fact that you have no hair, no family, and you are a meaningless number makes many questions their humanness and give up a lot of will to live. I believe that what made Gerda overcome dehumanization was just her will to continue on with life. Also, she believed that she would soon be released and she just had to push through it. She had made a bet with her friend that the war wouldn't last long and she wanted to stay strong. Another thing that helped her overcome dehumanization was when her father told her not to commit suicide. This reminded her that there are still people out there who care, and it makes her realize that she is still human and loved by others.
3. What simple things in your own life do you think you'd fantasize about if everything were taken away? What ordinary things do you think you take for granted?
In retrospect, I have always fantasized the things that I didn't have, and when I have them, I don't care much for them. I think that if all of my things were taken away from me I would definitely fantasize necessities such as good food, clean clothes, and water. Also, I would love to be able to play again and have fun. The biggest thing I would fantasize is being able to see my family again, even if it was just something as little as a glance, or the knowledge that my family is well.
I take for granted all my necessities, and the right to be with my loved ones. Since I live in good conditions, I can have a clean glass of water whenever I want, and a big healthy meal by walking a few steps to my kitchen. Also, I have a tiny house, but I take shelter for granted. I've always been able to step inside a building or vehicle whenever I don't like the conditions outside. However, being with loved ones is what I mostly take for granted. I can always count on coming home from school and seeing my family. Also, I've never been separated from family for long periods of time so I can expect to see family often.
4. In what ways do you see persecution happening in today's world? What groups do you see being targeted? What can be done to work against such prejudice and intolerance?
There is still a lot of anti-semitism in today's world. Also, there is always a large anti-gay community wherever you go. For example, Westboro Baptist Church is constantly protesting Jews and gays. Persecution these days seems to be less physical abuse, and more protesting, taunting, and discriminating against. To prevent these things, we should publicly address the problem more. People's views will shift, and some others will be more open to believing if they know a person who was persuaded.
5. Who are the heroes of the film? What did they do that makes you hopeful? What can you do to help make the world a better place?
I think that the heroes of this film are Gerda, her father, the man who liberated Gerda, and the woman who ran the camp Gerda was in. What makes me hopeful is when I think about brave they were, and how they applied those traits to helping others. Also, it makes me hopeful knowing that not all people from a bad group are like the others in that group. What I mean by this is that some Nazi's, such as the woman who run the camp, aren't bad people. To make the world a better place, people need to open up to new things and ideas, share their feelings, and communicate with one-another so that problems can be resolved.
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