March 3rd, 1936 Jewish doctors barred from practicing medicine in German institutions.
History
– During World War 2, Jewish doctors were very limited as to what they were to do. The doctors were very limited to the medicine that was given, and could not help the ones in need. If one was to be very ill or injured, most of the time the doctor was not able to serve this patience and help them to their needs to make them feel healthier and improved. Having this issues lead to many deaths, and diseases.
Image
(Above is a picture of a Jewish doctor treating a patience)
Source
– http://www.bu.edu/sph/2014/09/30/new-book-by-michael-grodin-details-scope-of-jewish-medical-resistance-during-the-holocaust/
Application to novel
– In the short story “The Cage” by Ruth Minsky, one of the main characters Riva, suffers with a conflict of her own. She undergoes not having the nutrition and health that was needed. This triggered her bones become weak. This part of the story can connect to the History portion because Riva could not get the medicine that was needed to help make her feel better and normal again. Yet again it can associate with the History portion because the doctors were not able to cure everyone. This can be consider foreshadowing because knowing that it was hard for the doctors to cure diseases, hinted to us, the readers, that Riva’s younger brother Laibele could possible die because he was not getting the right treatment.
November 23rd, 1939 Jews in German-occupied Poland forced to wear an arm band or yellow star.
History
– The Star of David, was a cloth patch that had to be worn by the Jews at all times in public. Jews were also told to wear the Star of David so that the German Nazis were able to identify them. Wearing the Star of David was meant to make the Jewish feel dehumanized and isolated. The consequences of not wearing the Star of David in public would be a severe punishment or even death.
Image
(Here is a picture of 2 Jews wearing the Star of David)
Source
– https://medium.com/@azrielimemoirs/death-was-in-the-stars-1af2b8d80aa5#.schwo6l4d
Application to novel
– The Star of David, represents the Jewish population. As I spoke beforehand this was meant to make the Jews feel as if they are worthless and dehumanized. In the novel, Riva who is a dynamic character, discusses with her cousin Saba about being a Jew, and if she felt as if she was embarrassed or ashamed. Saba felt proud and honoured to be a Jewish citizen. Knowing that a Jew is satisfied and honoured of being one in this time period is eye opening. The star was not meant to make anyone feel worthy, it was meant to make one feel dishonoured. The novel also goes on about how if one was to be found not wearing the star, there would be huge consequences, such as death.
1938, Jews must carry id cards and Jewish passports are marked with a “J.”
History
– During World War 2, Jews were issued Identification cards. The purpose of these cards was to permanently separate them from the rest of the German population. Including German Jews, they were obligated to carry identify cards, that displayed their religion. Additional to having the identification cards, their passports had to be stamped with a red “J” that indicated that they were indeed a Jew. To be able to carry a identifying card you must be over 16.
Image
(This picture above shows the Identification cards that was used)
Source
– http://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/pa1160247
Application to novel
– Being a Jewish citizen, during World War 2, wasn’t only hard and difficult to deal with, but it was stressful. If a Jew was to go out in public, they must carry their identification cards at all times. This was just roughly some of the numerous things that the Jews dealt with. In the story wearing the Star of David was key. I found that carry the identification card was apart of the physical setting. When finding out about the identification cards in the novel, it was near the beginning of the book, so one would consider this part of the book the exposition. This part definitely showed how hard-hitting and tough it would be to be in Riva and her family’s shoes during this time period.
1939, Hitler orders that Jews must follow curfews;
History
– During World War 2, there was numerous laws produced and created. One law that stood out was how the Jewish citizens had to follow a curfew. The curfew was controlled by the Nazis, and they also had control over the hours of how long one could be out. Between the hours 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. one could not leave their home. If a Jew was to be discovered wondering throughout, they would serve a consequence.
Image
(This picture is the curfew being placed and the Jews taking advantage of it)
Source
– https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005357
Application to novel
– The curfew that is order by Hitler, displays in the story a few times. Not only was one not allowed to leave their house past curfew, but if one was to be found wondering out and about, there consequences would either involve going to concentration camp, or it could even lead to death. In the story Riva’s brother Motele, sneaks out to get firewood, because their house was freezing. Riva’s brother Motele, ends up getting caught and nearly got his family taken away from him, and punished for what Motele committed. Moteles ending up confessing his actions, which lead to him getting himself a job of cleaning the toilets for two weeks. Riva’s brother Motele, is a round character, because he has a complex personality.
January 25, 1940 – Nazis choose the town of Oswiecim (Auschwitz) in Poland near Krakow as the site of a new concentration camp.
History
– Throughout the second world war, a concentration camp was established in Auschwitz, Poland. Attending the concentration camp you will be faced with working long hours, and shortage of food. Sleeping condition in the concentration camp were not well laid out. The bunk beds were on to of one another and one would find that it would be crammed. This concentration camp was by far, the largest. They established having greatest mass murder in a single location in human history.
Image
(This picture shows the opening gates to the concentration camp)
Source
– http://www.deathcamps.org/occupation/lvov%20ghetto.html
Application to novel
– Riva and her family, are transported to Auschwitz to live the rest of their life’s. Riva has been placed in a depressing environment where she has to live the rest of her life in with a handful of other women. When Riva and her brothers arrived in Auschwitz, Riva was separated from her brothers the moment they stepped on there property. Since then, Riva has not been in any sort of contact with her brothers. I found that this point in the story can be considered the climax of the story because it was very suspenseful finding out what was going to happen to Riva and her brothers. Is Riva going to see her brothers? Will she see her mother again? Can she make it out? These are all the question that one would think reading up to this point in the novel.
February 8, 1940 A Jewish ghetto is established at Lódz, Poland.
History
– The Lódz ghetto was established by the Polish Jews, and this ghetto was the second largest ghetto during World War 2. This ghetto was formed into a major industrial center, manufacturing needs for the German Nazis. While the Lódz ghetto was being established, a barded wire fence was placed around the perimeter of the ghetto. The Lódz ghetto was the last to evacuated, and the Jews that existed here had to be sent to Auschwitz.
Image
(Thousands of Jews in Lódz, Poland)
Source
– https://www.fold3.com/page/286160716_the_lodz_ghetto_1940_1944#description
Application to novel
– In the story, a ghetto was created in Lódz, Poland, which is the city Riva and her brothers live in. While reading the novel, one could definitely tell that it was very difficult for one to survive in Lódz, because it was very limited on food and freedom. Riva and her brothers are always scared that they were going to get captured, and separated from each other, and they tried their best to keep a low profile. Riva and her brothers were forced to move out of their childhood home and to move to a grocery store, which became their new home. In their new household, they were able to create a small library for the Jewish citizens. I found that when Riva and her brothers had to be evacuated from Lódz, it was the rising action because there was so much tension, and one wouldn’t know what is going to happen.
