Summer of My German Soldier Group

Question:

hannanichole
hannanichole
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Do you think prejudice, misunderstanding, and the fear of being different is defined by a certain period of history or spans the ages?

Rate question:

Posted by hannanichole on Sunday February 8, 2009 at 2:30 PM and tagged with differences, emotions, misunderstanding, prejudice, summer of my german soldier.

Answers:

  1. slchanmo1885
    slchanmo1885 Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Since the beginning of recorded history, there are stories of prejudice and difference, leading me to believe that these feelings span the ages. "The Summer of My German Soldier" was published in 1973, and takes place in the 1940s. The themes of alienation, prejudice, and differences are driving forces in this book, and were just as applicable in Patty's 1940s setting as they were in the author Bette Greene's 1970s. We read this book today, in 2009 and can still relate to the feelings that Patty has. Patty experiences prejudice and is misunderstood by her family and later, society as a whole, because of her unique personality and her belief that all people should be shown love, regardless of who they are. Anton experiences prejudice from American society, because, although he doesn't prescribe to their beliefs, he is technically a Nazi. Ruth experiences discrimination because she is a black woman and a servant, who does not have the same rights as white people. However, these three people who have experienced the most hardships and hate are the three who also exhibit the most love and understanding. 

    Rate answer:

    Posted by slchanmo1885 on Wednesday February 18, 2009 at 3:29 PM