What is the central theme of Number the Stars?
The central theme of Number the Stars is the difficulty of growing up. One could make the case that Lowry uses the context of World War II as a way of making these difficulties stand out clearly.
What does Number the Stars symbolize?
Stars also appear in the psalm that Peter reads before the voyage to Sweden. In this case, the stars represent Annemarie's tainted view of the world. To her the stars demonstrate the vastness and hopelessness of existence.
What are 5 main events in Number the Stars?
- Apr 9, 1940. Denmark Surrenders. …
- Jul 10, 1940. Italy Joins World War II. …
- Jul 10, 1943. Victory for the Allies. …
- Aug 25, 1943. Beginning of the book. …
- Aug 25, 1943. Stopped By the Soliders. …
- Aug 29, 1943. The Danes Destroy their Navy Ships. …
- Sep 30, 1943. Ellen moves in with the Johansens. …
- Sep 30, 1943. Jews were warned by the rabbi.
How is bravery shown in Number the Stars?
One theme in Number the Stars is bravery. For example, Annemarie showed bravery when she heard Nazi soldiers coming into the house to look for the Rosens, Annemarie pulled the Star of David necklace from Ellen's neck and clutched it in her hand so the Nazis wouldn't see it and know that Ellen was Jewish.
What are 3 themes from Number the Stars?
Number the Stars explores the themes of bravery and true friendship. Lowry relies on historical accounts of actual events, her friend Annelise Platt's firsthand account of living in Denmark as a child during World War II, and her own determination and skill as a writer to relate her thematic messages.
What is the main conflict in Number the Stars?
Purpose of Conflict in Literature The primary conflict in Number the Stars is between the Nazis and the Jews. A secondary conflict involves the Danes who are trying to help protect the Jews from the Nazis.
Why did Ellen take off her necklace?
Ellen is never seen without her necklace—and indeed, when Annemarie Johansen urges her to hurriedly take it off after Nazi soldiers arrive at the Johansen's apartment to search for Ellen and her parents, Ellen confesses that she hasn't taken the necklace off in so long that she “can't even remember how to open” its …
What does the sea symbolize for Ellen and her family?
What does the sea represent for Ellen and her family? They see the sea as freedom.
What lesson did Annemarie learn?
Annemarie learns the meaning of bravery. She understands from her experience that ordinary people are called upon to be courageous. She also realizes that it is much easier to be courageous if you don't know the extent of the danger.
What does Annemarie learn about Lise’s death?
What does Annemarie finally learn about Lise's death? Annemarie learns that Lise had also been part of the Resistance, and had been run down by the Germans when she was fleeing a secret meeting. Ellen's Star of David was kept in a safe place by Annemarie.
What is the climax in Number the Stars?
Climax. Annemarie is tasked with taking a very important basket filled with lunch goodies to Uncle Henrik. She doesn't realize it, but the handkerchief that is packed under the lunch is covered with a special drug that the resistance scientists have formulated.
Why is it important that Lise had brown hair?
Lise plays an important role in Ellen's safety. The photograph is what convinces the soldiers that Ellen is the Johansen's daughter. Because Lise had dark hair as a baby, the soldiers stop being suspicious of Ellen's dark hair.
What did Annemarie learn about life after the war ended?
Annemarie learns that Lise had also been part of the Resistance, and had been run down by the Germans when she was fleeing a secret meeting. Ellen's Star of David was kept in a safe place by Annemarie.
What are 3 themes of Number the Stars?
Number the Stars explores the themes of bravery and true friendship. Lowry relies on historical accounts of actual events, her friend Annelise Platt's firsthand account of living in Denmark as a child during World War II, and her own determination and skill as a writer to relate her thematic messages.
What is the foreshadowing in Number the Stars?
An important foreshadowing clue comes up at the end of chapter three. Annemarie admitted to herself snuggling there in the quiet dark, that she was glad to be an ordinary person who would never be called upon for courage. Later on in the novel we will see that Annmarie is called upon to do several courageous things.
What does Annemarie learn about Peter?
What does Annemarie learn about Peter? Annemarie learns that Peter is in the Resistance.
Why was it important that Ellen remove her Star of David necklace?
Why was it important that Ellen remove her Star of David necklace? The necklace was a Jewish thing and that would give it away.
What is the rising action of Number the Stars?
The rising action centers around Annemarie and her family's decision to save and protect Ellen. Annemarie doesn't know that her older sister Lise died in the Danish Resistance, but when Ellen's life is threatened, the Johansen's allow Ellen to assume Lise's identity.
What does cigarettes mean in Number the Stars?
The code word "cigarettes" refers to the Jewish people.
Why was it important for Ellen to remove her Star of David necklace?
That's exactly what Ellen does when the Nazi soldiers come to the Johansens' house. She has to remove the necklace in order to hide her identity from the Nazis.
What was the purpose of Aunt Birte’s funeral?
The purpose of Aunt Birte's funeral is to sneak the Rosen's cloths And blankets so the can go to Sweden.
What was the purpose of Aunt Birtes funeral?
The purpose of Aunt Birte's funeral is to sneak the Rosen's cloths And blankets so the can go to Sweden.
What does Annemarie learn about Lise?
When Annemarie went to visit Peter's grave with her parents, they told her the truth about how Lise died. Lise was also part of the Resistance. Her parents had not known this; Peter told them after her death. Annemarie fears that the Nazis also shot her sister.
Why is Annemarie so confused about the death of Great Aunt Birte?
Why was Annemarie confused by this death? Annemarie was confused because no one called to say there was a death and no one seemed sad. Annemarie did not seem to believe Great-aunt Birte did not exist.
How does the handkerchief help those in hiding in number the stars?
In Number the Stars Peter gives Mrs. Rosen a packet. Inside the packet was a handkerchief. The handkerchief would attract the dogs then make them lose their sense of smell, so they would not smell the Jews hiding in the boats.
What does Uncle Henrik mean when he says tomorrow will be a day for fishing?
What did Uncle Henrik mean when he said, "Tomorrow will be a good day for fishing"? He meant that they might be moving Ellen to a safer place. NOTE: The last time this phrase was used was in Ch. 6 by Papa when he was using code to tell Henrik that Mama and the girls were bringing Ellen up to Gilleleje.
Why did they want to see in the casket How did Mama stop them?
Ch10-Why did they want to see in the casket? How did Mama stop them? They wanted to make sure there was a dead body in it. She told the soldiers that Aunt Birtie had a virus.
What does the sea represent for Ellen and her family?
What does the sea represent for Ellen and her family? They see the sea as freedom.
Why does Mama lie to Annemarie?
Why does Mama lie to Annemarie? Mama lies to protect Annemarie from knowing too much, in case they are confronted by the soldiers.
Why when his sister and his niece were visiting would Uncle Henrik spend the whole night on his boat?
Ch8 -Why, when her sister and his nieces were visiting, would Uncle Henrik spend the whole night on his boat? Uncle Henrik was at sea almost all day for the Rosen's.