Student Question
In "The Devil's Arithmetic", how can Gitl and Shmuel be relatives if they are marrying?
Quick answer:
In "The Devil's Arithmetic," Gitl and Shmuel are not marrying each other. They are Hannah's uncle and aunt. Shmuel is engaged to marry another woman named Fayge, not his sister Gitl. The confusion arises from the familial terms used, but it's clear that Shmuel's bride is Fayge. Their wedding is tragically interrupted by the deportation of their Jewish community during the Holocaust.
You seem to have become slightly confused in understanding what is happening in this excellent novel. Let us remember that Gitl and Shmuel are Hannah's or Chaya's uncle and aunt. Shmuel is getting married, but of course he is not getting married to his sister. Consider the following quote, that clearly tells us, and Hannah, whom Shmuel is going to marry. In this quote, Gitl addresses her brother after he has embraced Chaya/Hannah:
And go wash yourself. I wonder that Fayge ever accepted the shadchan's offer for your hand in marriage. You are so much of a prize you can kiss women without bathing?
Therefore we can see that Gitl and Shmuel are Hannah's or Chaya's aunt and uncle, but Shmuel is going to marry another woman called Fayge. This wedding of course is something that is cruelly interrupted by the deportation of this Jewish community and results in their experience first-hand of the Holocaust.
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