The Devil’s Arithmetic is a historical fiction novel written by Jane Yolen. The book was first published in 1988 and it was the winner of the National Jewish Book Award. This book is considered a classic and it has been read by millions of people all over the world. The setting of this book is very important and it plays a major role in the story. In this article, we will explore the setting of The Devil’s Arithmetic in detail.
The Modern Day Setting
The story begins in the modern day, in New Rochelle, New York. The protagonist of the story, Hannah Stern, is living in the present day. Hannah’s family is Jewish, but Hannah does not feel very connected to her Jewish heritage. She is more interested in hanging out with her friends and going to parties than observing Jewish traditions.
Hannah’s family is going to celebrate Passover, but Hannah is not looking forward to it. She thinks Passover is boring and she is not excited about spending time with her family. As the story progresses, Hannah becomes more interested in her Jewish heritage and begins to understand the importance of her family traditions.
The Historical Setting
During the Passover Seder, Hannah is transported back in time to a village in Poland. She finds herself in a Jewish community that is about to be taken over by the Nazis. The setting of the historical part of the story is very important. It is a time when the Jewish people were being persecuted and killed by the Nazis.
The story takes place in a small village in Poland. The village is very poor and the people there are struggling to survive. They are living in fear of the Nazis, who are just outside the village. Hannah finds herself living with her relatives in the village. She experiences first-hand the difficulties faced by the Jewish people during the Holocaust.
The Concentration Camp Setting
Eventually, Hannah and her family are taken to a concentration camp. The setting of the concentration camp is dark and brutal. The prisoners are kept in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. They are forced to do hard labor and they are given very little food to eat.
The concentration camp is the most important setting in the story. It is where Hannah is forced to confront the horrors of the Holocaust. She sees the brutal treatment of the prisoners and witnesses the deaths of many of them. She realizes how lucky she is to have been transported back to the modern day and to be living in a world where she is not persecuted for being Jewish.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the setting of The Devil’s Arithmetic is an essential part of the story. The book is set in two different time periods, the present day and World War II. The setting of the book is important because it sets the tone for the story. It shows the reader the horrors of the Holocaust and the bravery of the Jewish people who suffered during that time. The book is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It reminds us that no matter how dark the world gets, there is always hope for a better tomorrow.
FAQ
What country does the Devil’s Arithmetic take place?
The Devil’s Arithmetic is a novel by Jane Yolen that tells the story of a young American girl named Hannah who is transported back in time to 1941, just before the Holocaust. The story takes place in Poland, a country that was under Nazi occupation during World War II. The book vividly describes the anti-Semitic propaganda and physical violence that the Jews in Poland faced under German occupation. Through the eyes of Hannah, readers get a glimpse of the harsh conditions in which the Jews lived, as well as the atrocities they faced during the Holocaust. The book highlights the importance of learning about and remembering the history of the Holocaust, so that we can ensure that such atrocities are never repeated again. The Devil’s Arithmetic takes place in Poland, during one of the darkest periods in the country’s history, and it provides an emotional and insightful look into the horrors of the Holocaust.
Is the devil’s Arithmetic a banned book?
The Devil’s Arithmetic is a young adult novel written by American author Jane Yolen. The book tells the story of a Jewish girl named Hannah, who is transported back in time and experiences the horrors of the Holocaust firsthand. Despite being widely acclaimed by critics and readers alike, The Devil’s Arithmetic is a book that has been challenged and banned in some schools and public libraries.
The reason for the book’s challenge and banning is that it features graphic depictions of the Holocaust, including descriptions of concentration camps, gas chambers, and the brutality of the Nazis toward Jewish prisoners. Some parents and educators have argued that the book is too disturbing and graphic for children and teenagers, and they believe that it is not appropriate material for young readers.
However, supporters of The Devil’s Arithmetic argue that the book is an important and powerful piece of literature that teaches valuable lessons about the Holocaust and the dangers of prejudice and discrimination. They point out that the book has won numerous awards and has been used in classrooms around the world to teach students about the Holocaust and its impact on Jewish people and other marginalized groups.
It is also important to note that while The Devil’s Arithmetic has been banned or challenged in some schools and libraries, it is not banned or censored by the government. The decision to ban or remove the book from a school or library collection is typically made by local officials or review committees, and not by any centralized authority.
While The Devil’s Arithmetic is a book that has been banned or challenged in some schools and libraries, it remains an important and powerful piece of literature that teaches valuable lessons about the Holocaust and the dangers of prejudice and discrimination. it is up to individual readers, educators, and parents to decide whether or not the book is appropriate for their children or students.