Reading Journal Post 4: Chapters 10-12

     At the beginning of chapter ten, Hannelore and her mother leave on a transport. Anneke is devastated that her best friend is gone. She doesn't cry, though, because she feels that she doesn't have any tears left. Soon after, her Opa arrives from Bergen Belsen into Theresienstadt. She has a hard time learning to share her bedspace with him, but quickly grows fond of his presence. When her whole family is gathered around her sick Opa, he wakes up and says,  "'Tell me,' he asks, his eyes wet with tears, 'am I--could I be--by any chance--in Heaven?'" (130) 
     Anneke's little brother, Theo, has been selected to be transported to a different camp. Anneke's family was very upset about this, and didn't plan telling Theo until they absolutely had to. Anneke's father talked to the head to beg that Theo's name be taken off the list. Because of his artwork and (mandatory) contribution to the camp, his son was taken off the transport list.
     At the end of chapter twelve, Anneke receives a gift from her father for her fifteenth birthday. It is a drawing of a house in winter back  in Holland where they used to live, encased in a small silver frame. She attached it to her necklace from Fracentik and kept it there.
    In chapter ten, some other children ask Anneke to follow them up the tallest building to climb on the roof and see the view (another concentration camp, Little Fortress, could be seen from there). With hesitation at first, Anneke followed. As they were climbing the stairs, they passed a number of elderly people living in the attic. Anneke was frightened when encountered one woman. She 

"...gasped when a cold bony hand touches the small of my back. When I spin around, I see a face so pale it seems to shine in the dark. It belongs to an old woman. The bones on her face protrude under her papery skin. She looks more dead than alive. I draw back from her as if I am afraid to catch whatever she has got." (120)

   The imagery in this thought is representative of the decaying of human life and souls in the camp. The treatment and belittling of the people has reduced them to weary, desperate masses of weak flesh that beg for at least one ray of hope. Anneke's fear of this woman is reflectant of her fear of the future--her fear that one day, she may turn out just as dead, or more so, than the old woman on the stairs. 
   Anneke's story continues to advance as she feels less and less hopeful of the future. What do you think? Here are some questions to consider:
      - Is Anneke going to lose anything out   of this experience that she can never regain? What would that be?
       - How will Anneke view the world if and when she escapes the camp?
       - Where will Anneke be by the end of the story?
       - Will Anneke ever find Hannelore or Francentik again?
       - How will Anneke deal with the hypocrisy surrounding her?
       - How will Anneke find hope in her situation?