4 Matching Annotations
  1. Dec 2015
    1. YOM KIPPUR. The Day of Atonement. Should we fast? The question was hotly debated. To fast could mean a more certain, more rapid death. In this place, we were always fasting. It was Yom Kippur year-round. But there were those who said we should fast, precisely because it was dangerous to do so. We needed to show God that even here, locked in hell, we were capable of singing His praises.

      Religion. Even when they are starving they're still considering fasting so that they can stay true to their religion. This is an example of rhetorical question because they are wondering if they should fast or not, but its not supposed to be answered. They are asking themselves if they should fast or not. They don't want to starve, but at the same time they want to stay true to their religion too.

    2. He was leaning against the wall, bent shoulders sagging as if under a heavy load. I went up to him, took his hand and kissed it. I felt a tear on my hand. Whose was it? Mine? His? I said nothing. Nor did he. Never before had we understood each other so clearly.

      Father/son relationship. All the events they have gone through together caused them to become closer to each other. This is an example of rhetorical question because he is asking whose tear it was, but its not supposed to be answered. They have grown so close to each other that it doesn't matter whose tear it was to each other, but only that they are still there for each other.

  2. Nov 2015
    1. I wanted to run away, but my feet were nailed to the floor. Idek grabbed me by the throat.

      Fear. He knew he wouldn't be able to run away from Idek. This is an example of hyperbole because his feet weren't literally nailed to the floor. He could have ran away from Idek, but the fear was holding him down from running away.

    2. "Yisgadal, veyiskadash, shmey raba...May His name be cele-brated and sanctified..." whispered my father.

      Religion. They are in a tough time and are seeking to religion to help themselves and their people. It makes them feel more safe and comfortable in a dangerous environment. This is an example of restatement because the quote is shown in two languages. They keep repeating religious quotes in memory of their people.