D day occured June 6, 1944–the day the Allied invasion of Normandy began. Throughout the rest of 1944, the Allies advanced across Europe toward Germany. In late 1944, Hitler took a stand along the French and Belgian border. This battle is known as the Battle of the Bulge, and the Allies nearly lost it. However, it also took a toll on Hitler’s armies and ultimately played a significant role in the Allies’ cause. The war in Europe ended nearly a year after D-day. As revelations were made about the extent of the killings that took place in Europe, reactions by Jewish Americans were severe and varied.
Why do you think the author chose to place the novel at this time period?
Does it really impact the story?
Could he have created the tension between the two different Jewish sects without placing the novel in the time period of the war?
Support your answer and be sure to respond to one another’s ideas.
August 31, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Why do you think the author chose to place the novel at this time period? I think that the author did this because of Danny’s lack of feeling. It would have have been harder to show this without a major event (aka) the holocaust. Reb Saunders does talk about the book when he was kid, but that would not relate to the current age of Danny. I also believe that this was an excellent way to the difference in opinion between Danny and Ruevens fathers point of view.
August 31, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Could have he created the tension between the two different Jewish cultures without placing the novel in the time period of the war? I think that he could have created tension between the two cultures without the war, but I think it would have been a lot more difficult. I think that he could have gone into more of conflict over the reading of the books, and also tat Danny wasn’t going to inherent the family job.
August 31, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I think it would of been possible for the author to create a bit more tension between the two different Jewish cultures without placing the novel in the time period of the war. Is it true that the two cultures had some tension anyway? Even before the war? For example, when the book talked about how Danny and Reuven had their different points of view on God they never mentioned anything on the war. This shows that the author could of added more tension even without the war.
August 31, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Could he have created the tension between the two different Jewish sects without placing the novel in the time period of the war? I think it would have been more difficult to portray the tension because a lot of the tension was from some Jews wanting to crate a Jewish state and the Hasids waiting for god to create one, But I still think it would have been possible.
August 31, 2009 at 2:23 pm
World War 11 impacted the story stronger in certain places of the book. As I stated before, when Reuven and Danny talked about their different sides of God, that almost had nothing to do with the war. Yet when Reb Saudners and Mr. Malter talked about their religion both men frequently mentioned the war and how it has impacted each religion. To them everything is changing. To the boys as well. Here’s a question for someone, how else did the war impact others? Aside from my comment
August 31, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Does it really impact the story? During the course of the story I don’t think it directly impacted it but it started some peoples want for a Jewish state and so Danny’s father disagrees with Reuven’s father and forbids them to speak.
August 31, 2009 at 2:42 pm
The story was placed in this time period because this was when religion was at a strong point.
August 31, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Does it impact the story? I think that it does impact the story because without this time period there would already be a Jewish school and they would be treated equal. But back then there was a lot of tension between the two religions. So I say it does impact the story.
August 31, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Could he have created the tension between the two different Jewish sects without placing the novel in the time period of the war? Yes , of course, he could have created this in any time period. But the time period he chose was the best choice because that was when the events that changed how the Jewish religion was and now is. So yes he could of done it in a different time period but he chose the best time period in my opinion.
August 31, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Yes, the author could have placed tension between the two Jewish groups even if it had not been during World War Two.
August 31, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I agree with Graham when he says that there could have been tension in a different time period, but I disagree when he says that it would be a lot more difficult. Causing tension would be just as easy in or out of the war.
August 31, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I think that the author chose to place the book during the time period of WW2 and The Holocaust because it helped show the suffering of the Jewish nation at that period in time. And it helped us to understand Reuven’s father’s view on needing a Jewish State.
August 31, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I think the author chose to place the book during the time period because so mush was happening like WW2, the Holocaust and the stuf happening in Palenstien.
August 31, 2009 at 4:04 pm
It does impact the story, because if it did not take place then, than there would be no conflict between the Reuven’s Dad and Reb Saunders. Without that conflict Danny and Reuven would have never ben kept appart.
August 31, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I agree 100% with what Damon said. A big part of the book was showing how Danny’s father and Reuven’s father were different, and the opposing view on the Jewish state was the main thing that set Reb Saunders (a hasid) and Mr. Malter (a zionist) apart.
I think that yes. . . it would have been possible, but a major thing that happened in the book was the silence between Danny and Reuven, which only happened because of their father’s different opinions.
August 31, 2009 at 4:07 pm
He probably could have made the tension between the 2 Jewish groups without placing them in that time period, but it would not have ben as strong as it was in the time the book took place in.
August 31, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I agree with Alexa on saying that the two different groups already had tension even without the war going on because they had two different views, so though the war sped up the process a bit, a Jewish State would have been made in the end anyway.
August 31, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Why do you think the author chose to place the novel at this time period? I think this book was placed in the time period it was because that was when the Jewish people as a whole were recognized, and given a Jewish state.
August 31, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Why do you think the author chose to place the novel at this time period? I think Chaim Potok choose this event because this was a time when the Jewish population was more commonly known to the world.
August 31, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I partially agree with you, Aaron. I think that the story takes at that certain time for two reasons. When World War II finished and everyone found out that a horrendous amount of jews had been killed, Mr. Malter and Reb Saunders sympathized for them in different ways. Mr. Malter wanted to act, but Reb Saunders wanted to cry and wait for the Messiah. Later, when they discussed the Palestine, Mr. Malter wanted the Jewish state, whereas Reb Saunders hated the very thought of it.
August 31, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Sorry, typo:
I partially agree with you, Aaron. I think that the story takes place at that certain time for two reasons. When World War II finished and everyone found out that a horrendous amount of jews had been killed, Mr. Malter and Reb Saunders sympathized for them in different ways. Mr. Malter wanted to act, but Reb Saunders wanted to cry and wait for the Messiah. Later, when they discussed the Palestine, Mr. Malter wanted the Jewish state, whereas Reb Saunders hated the very thought of it.
August 31, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Does it really impact the story? It does impact the story line because of the holocaust incident and that FDR had died.
August 31, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I agree with what Damon and Casey said about how the story was impacted mainly because of the father’s point of view. Danny and Reuven knew what was going on and shared a different viewpoint, but they didn’t let it hurt their friendships. Because Danny and Reuven’s fathers having such a different point of view, this affected the boys because Danny’s father did not want Danny to share the same view as Reuven.
August 31, 2009 at 5:41 pm
the war really affects the story line because the jews are being killed, and since reuven is a jew, it strangly affects his additude
August 31, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Why do you think the author chose to place the novel at this time period?
I think that the author chose to place the novle at this time period because during this time there was a lot happening with the jewish population.
August 31, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Could Chaim Potok create the tension between the two different Jewish sects without placing the novel in the time period of the war?
I highly doubt it. Not nearly as many Jewish slaughters had been held in living memory, so the despair and rage felt because of it caused lots of arguments. There was more anger within the dispute between the two Jewish sects than ever before. Therefore, the time in which the story takes place is the perfect time in which two write the story.
August 31, 2009 at 5:46 pm
the author has that certain time setting because it was a big event in jewish history, and since the book is about jewish people, it is an important time setting.
August 31, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I think that there was a lot of things contributed to the behavior and beliefs Danny and his father and Reuven and his father. The war could of affected their feelings but I think that they believed what their people and religion believed the same as what they always had.
August 31, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Does it really impact the story?
I think it does. The time period added to the barrier and tension between the different beliefs of the jewish people.
It really effected the relationship between the two fathers of Danny and Rueven, therefore effecting Rueven amd Danny.
The period it was set in allowed the events of the characters to make sense.
August 31, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Could he have created the tension between the two different Jewish sects without placing the novel in the time period of the war?
He probably could have but it would have been a lot harder because there was not as much tension during any other time period.
August 31, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Could he have created the tension between the two different Jewish sects without placing the novel in the time period of the war?
I think he could have created some tension because it seemed like it was there already, but the time period he chose was a time with ALOT of tension. It was probably the only event that could have effected everybody that strongly.
August 31, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Does the time period affect the novel?
I think it does a lot because you know if it would have been in present day they really wouldn’t have such strong feelings about their religion. Also I think that if it were to be present they would definitely talk different and express their feelings differently.
August 31, 2009 at 6:22 pm
I think the author chose to place the novel at this time period because it is a important time in Jewish history. The Jewish people in America only knew what they heared over the radio or in the paper.
August 31, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I agree with Julia I think the war really did affect their lives at home and out in the community. It even affected non Jewish members of the society.
August 31, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Does it really impact the story? Yes I really think it does impact the story, only not as much in the beggining as twards the end. Time and setting is very important to a novel.
August 31, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Why do you think the author chose to place the novel at this time period?
I think the author chose to place the novel at this time because he wanted to show the hardships of the Jewish religion and this is a very important time in Jewish history.
August 31, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Does it really impact the story? I definitely think it did. For one it was just simply a tense time, it involved the Jews, the Holocaust, and I agree with Graham how it could have helped Danny be more sympathetic. It also seems relevant that this happens in the hospital. For one, they really had nothing to better to do, so Mr. Savo, Billy, and Reuven listened to it a lot. They had all that time on their hands, and they may not have mentioned it in the book but he probably learned a lot just from thinking about it.
August 31, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Why do you think the author chose to place the novel at this time period? I think he did this because it was a important and impacting time for jews.
August 31, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Does it really impact the story?I think putting the story in that time period impacts the story because it creates conflict.
August 31, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I agree with Will, and all the other people that said the same thing, that without the book happening in the WWII era then the book would be different. There wouldn’t be any of the rallies or hating or silence (between Danny and Reuven). And there wouldn’t be Reuven hating Reb Saunders so much, and the happiness when they could talk….. the storyline would have been changed.
August 31, 2009 at 6:51 pm
In the time of war, there is tension. Does this tension really impact the story? I would say yes, but not to the point where the book could not have taken placed in a different time. In my opinion, the author chose an appropriate time in Jewish history, but I also think he could have written the book at any time in history.
August 31, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I agree with Casey and Kendra in why the author chose to place the novel in the time period of WWII. During that time the Jews had it hard in Europe, especially because of the Holocaust. He wanted to emphasize the fact that there were many hardships for the Jews.
August 31, 2009 at 7:20 pm
For question two, “Does it really impact the story?” I’d say that it does impact the story because everybody in the story is Jewish. Even though they are not the ones getting massacred, it is their people who are. Therefore, it affects them because they are sad.
August 31, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I think the author chose to place the story in this time because then you can really see how big of an impact the event had on the whole Jewish community.
August 31, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I agree with Hunter because this is when the Jewish community needed each other more then ever.
August 31, 2009 at 7:36 pm
You’re doing very well, guys. Don’t forget to use proper capitalization–such as when using the word ‘Holocaust’.
You may also pose questions or thoughts of your own once you feel as though the questions I have posed have been adequately answered.
August 31, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I think the time setting had an impact on the story because as jews, reuven and his father were heavily affected.
August 31, 2009 at 7:46 pm
It impacts the story to me a lot because if it was not for the baseball teams set up up in the story they would not have even meet. Also the Holocaust was happening in Europe with was the cause of the baseball teams.
August 31, 2009 at 7:47 pm
No, I don’t think he could have created the tension between the families unless he placed the story during war.
August 31, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I think the time is important because during that time many stuggles were present for Jewish people, so that shows how different Jewish cultures come together in a time of suffering.
August 31, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Answering to Hunter’s statement, I think he could’ve cause the same tension betwwen the two families in another time period, it was just easier in the one he chose.
August 31, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I think this novel was set in this time period because a lot was going on with the Jewish culture and as some people said above, the Holocaust. The novel was set in this time period to make the story really focus on religion and how that was so important to the people living in that time. The novel also focuses on the different types of Jewish people, and how even though they have the same religion, they may not believe in exactly the same things.
August 31, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I do believe the author could have set the novel in a different time and still had it focus on the differences between the two religions, but I feel like the war in the story made the story line stronger and made the plot more in-depth than if it were not at war.
August 31, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Why do you think the author chose to place the novel at this time period? As Graham stated before me the author chose this time period to show how Danny doesn’t really unconsciously feel the grief and the remorse of the Jew’s lost in the holocaust. I also think that the author choose to place the novel in this time period because it creates the opportunity for Reuven’s father to show his Zionist and how other Jews such as Reb Saunders disagrees immensely with his point of view.
August 31, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I think that it is possible that the author could have created the tension between the two different Jewish sects without placing the novel in the time period of the war but I think it would have been very difficult to do so because he wouldn’t have a primary reason as why the tension between the two different Jewish sects was so great. Plus in this time period everyone is grieving and therefore very agitated so Jews disagreeing with Jews would cause a great tension easier than when they are happy go lucky.
August 31, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I think that the author thought the 1940’s was very proper period. Because they’re Jewish and HItler is timely very nice.
August 31, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I think that the timing was very important because of the zionism and how Reb Saunders didn’t want Danny and Reuven to be friends anymore.
August 31, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I think that the author meant the Holocaust as a cause and creating a new Jewish nation an effect because if there was no argument whether to create a new Jewish nation or not, Danny and Reuven would have never ended their friendship.
August 31, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I think it impacted the story because like Kendra said, the auther chose that time to show the hardships of the jewish religion. Probably with out that back round soem people might find it hard to understand what they are going through.
August 31, 2009 at 10:39 pm
If the auther did not place the book in that time period then he may have changed the story by other things that could have happened that would have effected them in a similar way
September 1, 2009 at 6:46 am
I think that the time setting of the story impacted the story because World War 2 had a lot to do with the Jews. Like Jess said, if there was no argument on whether or not to create a new nation, there would be no conflict in the book. Also, like Meghan said, it showed the hardships that the Jews went through. I thought the time set of the novel also emphasized the way that Reb. Saunders raised Danny in silence.
September 1, 2009 at 6:48 am
I agree with Jess when she said the timing was very improtant because if the zionism was not included in the book, I dont think Reb Saunders would have sepperated Danny and Reuven.
September 1, 2009 at 6:51 am
When Danny and reuven get sepperated, the story gets to a point where the reader feels like it could be over anytime. That is because there is not very much action taking place then.
September 1, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I think that the author put the story during this time period because it was a huge turning point for Jewish culture. It did impact the story because as Reuven’s father said it was now mainly up to American Jews to keep the religion alive. Without the novel being in this time period of war, I don’t think that there would have been tensions. There had always been disagreements but this major decision really set of the conflict.
September 7, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Why do you think the author chose to place the novel at this time period?
I agree with Aaron who has the view of many other people. It was important time for the Jewish people and it helped build tension.
September 7, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I agree with Maile for agreeing with Aaron. It was an important time for the Jewish people and indeed helped build tension.
September 7, 2009 at 8:49 pm
The reason I think that the author set the book in this point in time is because during this time many people were trying to keep the relgion alive