This week our literature circles group finished the book Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. I was the discussion director for this time and therefore chose five questions to pose to the rest of my group.
1. Why do the flops (Jewish soldiers on the Nazi side) fight with the Nazis, against the Jews, when they are Jews themselves?
My answer: The chances are, they get bribed through money, food and shelter to 'support' the Nazis. I suppose it would be worth it if the other option would be to be treated unfairly as an inferior person. Unfortunately, because of the treatment of the Jews by the Nazis, I wouldn't be suprised if they killed them later.
Additional answers from group: They helped the Nazis since the believed that they would be safer if they did so. (Ashley)
Why I chose this question: I chose this question since it intrigued me why the Flops would fight against their own race, especially in such an extreme manner.
2. Why doesn't Janina want to run away?
My answer: Probably Janina doesn't want to run away with Misha because she's afraid of leaving Poland, her home and the place she is used to. Of course, she probably hasn't realized that the ghetto isn't actually the safest place to be and that they aren't going to create a better future for her.
Additional answers from group: Maybe she doesn't want to leave her dad since she probably would never see him again. (Ashley)
Why I chose this question: I chose this question because I found it strange how Janina was reluctant to leave the ghetto when the aim of the Nazis putting the Jews in the ghetto was to eventually kill them.
3. Why does Misha/Jack's wife leave him?
My answer: A possible reason that Jack or Misha's wife would leave him could be that she suspects that he his in love with another woman (Janina in this case) or if not, loves her more than his wife.
Additional answers: Maybe she left him because she couldn't comprehend the extent of the things Misha experienced.
Why I chose this question: I found it odd that she left Misha especially since she was 5 months pregnant with his child at the time.
4. Why does Misha change his name to Jack?
My answer: If people knew his real name it would give away his true identity and the Nazis could find out he escaped and track him down easily. Also, Jack is a more western name and therefore he would fit in more easily when moving to America.
Why I chose this question: I was interested in what my group would say about this and whether they would have any further opinions on the matter.
5. Why do you think the book starts with 'I was running?'
My answer: It symbolizes that Misha, the protagonist is always running from somewhere, trying to get somewhere where he can settle and be happy. And at the end he finally is capable of this.
Additional answers: It was his first memory in the book.
Why I chose this question: I chose this question because I was certain that it symbolized something and connected the ending, where Misha is finally reunited with his family to the beginning in some way.
1. Why do the flops (Jewish soldiers on the Nazi side) fight with the Nazis, against the Jews, when they are Jews themselves?
My answer: The chances are, they get bribed through money, food and shelter to 'support' the Nazis. I suppose it would be worth it if the other option would be to be treated unfairly as an inferior person. Unfortunately, because of the treatment of the Jews by the Nazis, I wouldn't be suprised if they killed them later.
Additional answers from group: They helped the Nazis since the believed that they would be safer if they did so. (Ashley)
Why I chose this question: I chose this question since it intrigued me why the Flops would fight against their own race, especially in such an extreme manner.
2. Why doesn't Janina want to run away?
My answer: Probably Janina doesn't want to run away with Misha because she's afraid of leaving Poland, her home and the place she is used to. Of course, she probably hasn't realized that the ghetto isn't actually the safest place to be and that they aren't going to create a better future for her.
Additional answers from group: Maybe she doesn't want to leave her dad since she probably would never see him again. (Ashley)
Why I chose this question: I chose this question because I found it strange how Janina was reluctant to leave the ghetto when the aim of the Nazis putting the Jews in the ghetto was to eventually kill them.
3. Why does Misha/Jack's wife leave him?
My answer: A possible reason that Jack or Misha's wife would leave him could be that she suspects that he his in love with another woman (Janina in this case) or if not, loves her more than his wife.
Additional answers: Maybe she left him because she couldn't comprehend the extent of the things Misha experienced.
Why I chose this question: I found it odd that she left Misha especially since she was 5 months pregnant with his child at the time.
4. Why does Misha change his name to Jack?
My answer: If people knew his real name it would give away his true identity and the Nazis could find out he escaped and track him down easily. Also, Jack is a more western name and therefore he would fit in more easily when moving to America.
Why I chose this question: I was interested in what my group would say about this and whether they would have any further opinions on the matter.
5. Why do you think the book starts with 'I was running?'
My answer: It symbolizes that Misha, the protagonist is always running from somewhere, trying to get somewhere where he can settle and be happy. And at the end he finally is capable of this.
Additional answers: It was his first memory in the book.
Why I chose this question: I chose this question because I was certain that it symbolized something and connected the ending, where Misha is finally reunited with his family to the beginning in some way.
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