Setting
Number the Stars takes place in Copenhagen in 1943. In 1940, King Christian X of Denmark surrendered to the German invaders because Denmark's small army couldn't possibly compete with the Nazi forces without facing inevitable destruction and suffering. Despite the Nazi occupation of Copenhagen, the king maintained his routine of riding his horse through the city's streets every morning, unaccompanied by a bodyguard. When a Nazi soldier asked a young boy where the king's bodyguards were, the boy responded that all of Denmark was the king's bodyguard. Later, as the Nazis' plan to relocate the Jews became evident, Annemarie remarked, "Now I think that all of Denmark must be the bodyguard for the Jews, as well."
Just across a narrow strait from Denmark lies Sweden, which had not yet been invaded by the Nazis. The Johansens' mission to smuggle Ellen and her family to Sweden in Number the Stars mirrors the real-life efforts of many Danes who helped their Jewish neighbors escape during World War II.
Expert Q&A
Compare and contrast life in Copenhagen and Henrik's farm in Number the Stars.
In Number the Stars, differences between life in Copenhagen and Henrik's farm include that the farm, in the countryside on the North Sea, is more picturesque and quieter. A cow provides daily access to milk and cream, unlike in wartime Copenhagen where fresh food is strictly rationed. Life seems safer on the farm, but this is not really true. If the Nazis discovered Ellen on Uncle Henrik's farm, she would be seized and Annemarie's family would be punished.
How did the Nazi occupation alter lives in Copenhagen in Number the Stars?
The Nazi occupation in Copenhagen forced its citizens to make crucial decisions about their roles—whether to collaborate, remain passive, or resist. This is exemplified by the Johansen family, who choose to protect Ellen by pretending she is their daughter, demonstrating resistance and defining their moral stance. The occupation compelled individuals like Annemarie to act courageously, showing Lowry's emphasis on the significant and personal choices people faced under Nazi control.
In Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, where did the Johnsons hide Ellen?
In "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry, the Johansens hide Ellen by pretending she is their daughter, Lise. Ellen, who is Jewish, stays with the Johansens and assumes the identity of their deceased daughter to avoid detection by the Germans. When the Germans visit, Mr. Johansen cleverly uses a baby photo of Lise, who had dark hair, to convince them that Ellen is indeed his daughter, thus protecting her from capture.
Where is the setting of Number the Stars?
The setting of "Number the Stars" is primarily in German-occupied Denmark during World War II, specifically in the city of Copenhagen in 1943. Some events also occur in Sweden, where Jewish characters escape to avoid Nazi persecution. The novel focuses on the efforts of Danish families, like the Johansens, who were part of the Danish Resistance, to help Jewish citizens like the Rosens escape the Nazis.
Style and Technique
In Number the Stars, Lowry uses small details to highlight larger events. A seemingly ordinary scene where Mrs. Johansen and Mrs. Rosen sit and sip from cups is transformed when the reader learns that the two mothers are actually drinking hot water flavored with herbs. In wartime Copenhagen, there is no coffee, tea, or sugar, and this shortage is one of many subtly revealed through Lowry's writing. The children play with paper dolls cut from old magazines; the men working with Mr. Johansen roll dried weeds in paper to smoke; Mr. Rosen grades school papers by candlelight at night because there is no electricity; Kirsti receives new shoes, but they are made from fish skin instead of leather and are quite unattractive.
Narrated in the third person, Number the Stars presents a child's perspective on the Nazi occupation of Denmark. To Annemarie, the Nazis are impersonal and unfathomable figures. The reader first encounters the soldiers through Annemarie's eyes: "There were two of them. That meant two helmets, two sets of cold eyes glaring at her, and four tall shiny boots planted firmly on the sidewalk, blocking her path to home." The image of these "shiny boots" recurs throughout the book; the Nazis themselves are devoid of personal identities. Annemarie understands that the best way to resist the Nazis is by preserving her own identity and beliefs. By staying true to a deep sense of justice, Annemarie and other members of the Resistance manage to save the lives of many Danish Jews.
Historical Context
Number the Stars is a narrative that genuinely addresses the tragedy of the Holocaust, using the events of World War II to highlight humanity's capacity for bravery and virtue. In the weeks following the Jewish High Holidays in 1943, nearly seven thousand Danish Jews were covertly transported to Sweden. Lowry does not delve into the horrors of Nazi concentration camps or the struggles faced by Jews throughout Europe. Instead, she narrows her focus to one nation and a specific group of characters to underscore that everyday individuals participated in the Resistance movement.
The Johansens demonstrate their willingness to let Annemarie risk her life by delivering the handkerchief to Uncle Henrik. Both mother and daughter learn the significance of acting on their convictions rather than waiting for others to take action.
Bibliography
Haley-James, Shirley. "Lois Lowry." Horn Book 66 (August 1990): 422-424. An intimate perspective on the author, penned by a close acquaintance.
Lowry, Lois. "Newbery Medal Acceptance." Horn Book 66 (August 1990): 412-421. Lowry discusses receiving the Newbery Award for Number the Stars.
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