The Devil's Arithmetic

In The Devil's Arithmetic, chapters 5-7 depict Hannah's disorienting immersion into 1942 Poland, where she struggles with cultural shock and a sense of belonging. A pivotal moment is when Hannah's...

Hannah tells the girls stories about her life in New Rochelle, which amaze them due to the luxuries and opportunities like attending school, which they don't have. They are shocked by the concept of...

Gitl insists on bringing gifts to the wedding to ensure that everyone, especially the bride's family from Viosk, knows that her family honors their own with abundant generosity. The gifts symbolize...

In The Devil's Arithmetic, Hannah and her namesake, Chaya, share a deep connection through their Jewish heritage and experiences of suffering. Hannah, a modern Jewish girl, time-travels to World War...

Rachel was excited to meet Chaya because she was from Lublin, a big city. This was significant as such origins were rare in Rachel's small village, making Chaya's arrival noteworthy. Rachel, eager to...

On the way to Viosk, the group meets "half the shtetel," including four girls Hannah's age: Rachel, Shifre, Esther, and Yente. As they travel, they encounter a klezmer band hired by the bride's...