SAVING MY FRIEND ELLEN

SAVING MY FRIEND ELLEN

Saving My Friend Ellen, a short passage has taken from Lois Lowry’s novel ‘Number the Stars’. It explains the theme of bravery and true friendship. It is based on conversations with those who were living during World War II.

 

Saving my friend Ellen is the story of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen. German soldiers were looking for Jews on every street. Life becomes painful for people. During that period there were many problems including food shortage, insufficient fuel and night curfews. In 1943 Demark was occupied by Nazis, they decided to arrest all Danish Jews.

                Looking for missing Jews, one morning soldiers arrived at Johansen’s house. They demanded Johansen’s to revel where Rosen family is. Actuary Ellen Rosen, a Jewish, is rescued by Johansen’s family. Soldiers checked each and every corner of the house but, they did not find anyone in the house. Finally they found two children in Annemarie’s bedroom.

                Annemarie noticed that these soldiers were different from the one on the street corner. Annemarie’s parents were tense. Their parents thought that Nazis recognized that one of Mr. Johansen’s daughters is blond and had straight hair; Whereas Ellen had dark-hair and curl one. Then Annemarie introduced herself and Ellen as her sister.

                Annemarie’s father move swiftly with his finely thinking gets back the photos of his daughters with their names at the bottom. He showed them as evidence that the photo clearly shows Lise had hair similar to Ellen.

                The German soldiers unwillingly accept it as proof. The officer tore the photograph in half and dropped the pieces on the floor. Later, they left the house.

                  Annemarie and her parents saved Ellen bravely hiding her at home and make soldiers to believe that Ellen is Lise Margrete for true friendship.

                                SAVING MY FRIEND ELLEN

SHORT ANSWERS

1. What did Annemarie see from her bedroom door?

Saving My Friend Ellen is a story about Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen. Ellen is a Jewish girl rescued by Anna and her family from Jews. Annemarie heard the soldier’s talk. She did see the heavy uniformed man, a holstered pistol at his waist.

2. What had the soldiers come to enquire about?

Saving My Friend Ellen is a story about Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen. German soldiers were looking for missing Jews one morning soldiers arrived at Johansen’s house. They demanded Johansen’s to revel where Rosen family is.

3. Which nationality did the soldiers belong to? (Or)

4. What did the soldiers start doing?  Why? (Or)

7. Describe the soldiers who came to their house?

Saving My Friend Ellen, by Lois Lowry, the Nazis are a group of people helping Hitler in getting rid of all the Jews. The book is set in Denmark during World War II. In number the stars; we could see how the Nazis were violent, careless, rude, loud, and demanding. When the soldiers came they pulled Ellen’s hair, pounded loudly on the door late at night. They yelled after Annemarie’ mother when she asked them not to frighten the sleeping kids. They even ripped up the picture of Lise. This says that are very dreadful people.

5. What did Annemarie ask Ellen to do? Why?

Saving my friend Ellen is the story of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen, Her friend Ellen Rosen and her family. Annemarie whispered to Ellen to remove her necklace, because soldiers may recognize with necklace.

6. What did Annemarie finally do the chain?

Saving my friend Ellen is a story about Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen. Annemarie tried to take necklace off, but she could do that. Finally she grabbed the little gold chain pulled with all her strength and removed it.

8. Why did the officer grab Ellen’s hair?

Ellen is a ten year old Jewish girl and a friend of Annemarie. She is very quiet and calm. Though she is fearful of the Nazis, she is able to keep calm and courageously pretends to be Lise Johansen, but not Jewish. Looking for the missing Jews, the Nazis arrive at the Johansen’s house one morning at 4 a.m. When the Johansen try to show Ellen as their second daughter, the soldiers do not agree. They pointed out that Ellen has dark hair while Annemarie is blonde.

9 The father did not lose his presence of mind. Give examples to support this statement.

Annemarie Johansen’s father was trying to hide Ellen. He became very cautious. When the Nazis knew that Rosens have disappeared they arrived at the Johansen’s house at 4 a.m. looking for missing Jews. When the Johansens try to pass off Ellen as their daughter, the soldiers point out that Ellen has dark hair while Annemarie is blonde.

    In response, Mr. Johansen produces baby pictures of his three daughters, showing them that Lise was dark-haired as an infant. The Nazis reluctantly accept this as proof but cruelly mutilated the pictures before leaving.