Discussion Topic
Summary of Chapters 8 and 9 of Number the Stars
Summary:
In Chapters 8 and 9 of Number the Stars, Annemarie and Ellen face increasing danger as the German soldiers intensify their search for Jews. Annemarie's Uncle Henrik prepares to take Ellen to safety in Sweden, while the family devises a plan to protect her. Annemarie learns about bravery and the importance of standing up against oppression, even in the face of great risk.
What are the problem and solution in Chapters 8 and 9 of Number the Stars?
The problem is that Ellen and other Jews need to get out of the country away from the Germans. The solution is that Uncle Henrik is going to smuggle them out.
Annemarie is staying on Uncle Henrick’s farm. Annemarie is glad that Henrik has a cow, so he has milk, cream and butter. Her mother says that even Henrik doesn’t usually have butter, because it is requisitioned by German soldiers. While Henrik is out, Mama cleans his house and Ellen and Annemarie play outside and pick flowers.
Uncle Henrik comes back and tells Mama, "Tomorrow will be a day for fishing," which means that he will be able to get Ellen out.
Annemarie was puzzled by the references to fishing and weather at first. Fisherman did not wait for sunny days, she knew.
Mama looked at him. "The weather is right?" she asked.
Henrik nodded and looked at the sky....
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He smelled the air. "I will be going back to the boat tonight after supper. We will leave very early in the morning. I will stay on the boat all night." (Ch. 8)
Henrik tells Annemarie that Great-aunt Birte died and "it is a sad event, but not too sad, really, because she was very, very old.” It is the custom to put the coffin in the house and have people come sit with the family. This is good cover, because the German soldiers will not bother them.
Annemarie confronts Henrik about lying to her about this “death.” He asks her if she is brave. She tells him she isn’t, and he says she is brave.
"But," he added, "it is much easier to be brave if you do not know everything. And so your mama does not know everything. Neither do I. We know only what we need to know.” (Ch. 9)
When Ellen tells Annemarie’s mother she is sorry Birte died, Annemarie says nothing and feels bad that she is lying to Ellen.
The soldiers do not look in the coffin because Annemarie’s mother tells them Birte died of a contagious disease called typhus. Inside the coffin, there is no woman. It is clothing and blankets for the Jews who are escaping Denmark.
What occurs in Chapter 9 of Number the Stars?
Hello! You asked about Lois Lowry's book 'Number The Stars.' Chapter 9 tells us that Mrs. Johansen has brought Annemarie, Kirsti and Ellen to stay at her brother's (Henrik) house for a few days. In previous chapters, we find out that Ellen comes to stay with the Johansen's for her own safety. She is to act as the third daughter of the house. When the German soldiers demand evidence that Ellen is actually a Johansen, Mr. Johansen tears out three baby pictures of his daughters. Luckily, Lise (who passed away just before her marriage) has the same brown hair as Ellen. But, it is a close shave, and that is why the girls are at Henrik's.
In Chapter 9, Annemarie hears her Uncle Henrik say that their Great Aunt Birte has passed away and that there is to be a funeral at the house. She knows that there is no such person in their family and is immediately suspicious. She confronts her Uncle Henrik in the barn and in response, he asks her how brave she is. She answers that she doesn't think she is very brave. He disagrees and assures her that she is like her mother and will be as brave as she needs to be. He acknowledges that he lied to her about Great Aunt Birte but tells her he can't tell her the truth for her own protection and that it is often easier to be brave when one does not know everything.
Annemarie herself has to lie to Ellen for Ellen's protection. She realizes that sometimes extraordinary circumstances call for extreme measures. She helps to prepare food in the kitchen but wonders why they have to make so much food. Usually, it is friends who bring the food to the bereaved family. When she locks eyes with her mother, Mrs. Johansen knows that her daughter realizes that Great Aunt Birte is a made up relative. Annemarie comforts herself after Uncle Henrik tells her that he and Mrs. Johansen do not know everything either. She knows that everyone is trying to be brave. Soon, more people arrive at the house for the 'funeral.' Henrik takes Ellen out to meet some of the people. Eventually, Ellen comes in, along with her parents, and Peter.
Hope this helps. Thanks for the question!