Tone ,Meaning and purpose

 Author's note:  In class we were given  an assignment to identify the tone,meaning and purpose, about a specific passage from the novel  Christmas Carol.

“It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” Pg.73 Stave Three

 Among all three Staves I have read, a passage written in Stave Three caught my attention by its tone and its meaning. The meaning goes far beyond than just humor and having a good laugh every now and then. The passage conveys the loneliness and depression Scrooge feels, “That while there is infection in disease and sorrow”. Within those few words, it clearly shows the tone of Scrooge, which is lonely and cold. In contrast, the nephew represents the part of the passage that states, “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor”.   As you can tell the tone is different from the start of the passage to the end of the passage. The purpose of this passage is to show the contagious of infection is of sorrow in comparison to the

The Gift of Friendship

Annemarie was like any other ten year old girl of her time, she enjoyed spending time with friends, telling bedtime stories to her younger sister and loved competing in the after school Friday races. On the outside, Annemarie acted brave, as if nothing was wrong but on the inside all she could do was think of everything that was wrong since the Holocaust arrived. After sacrificing the little things she knew she could not deal with giving up her best friend.  Number the Stars by Lois Lowry puts in simple words how important friends are when life has turned unfair.

 Ellen Rosen and Annemarie Johansen were the best of friends.  Over the years the two girls created a bond that couldn’t be replaced.  Their friendship is the main theme within the book.  While Ellen and her family had nowhere to go, Annemarie’s family took Ellen in as one of their own.  Even though Ellen is finally safe, she lives in fear of losing her family and being caught by the soldiers.  Despite the worry and fear she carried, Annemarie was always there for Ellen and would do anything to make her happy because that is what friends are for.

 Friendship is something that can’t be replaced, the theme of friendship occurs in variety of novels such as “The Summer I Turned Pretty”, By Jenny Han.  Isabel and Taylor had been friends since their childhood and they shared memories that will live with them forever. When Isabel’s closest family friend Susannah passes away, she doesn’t know where to go or how to act.  Isabel thought no one could understand even Taylor. However Taylor was with her every step of the way even if she didn’t realize it. Taylor did everything she could to help Isabel overcome the loss and to remember the happy memories she had with Susannah. Taylor’s and Isabel friendship only grew when Isabel realized how lucky she was to have someone by her side the entire time just like Annemarie was for Ellen when Ellen felt like she was  alone.

   “Friendship is celebrating the good times, struggling through the bad times, and being there for all the time”.  Whenever I think of a friend or best friend, this quote comes to mind. After finishing the novel I found this quote to be very true to the friendship theme. Best Friends are always there even when you don’t see it, as Annemarie was for Ellen.   Friendship is one of the most important relationships to have within our lifetime. Without friendship, life would be boring, difficult and long.  Meanwhile, life with friendship is exciting, enjoyable and endless.

  Whenever people think of the word relationship, some may consider it to be boy friend/girl friend or marriage.  However friendship is the most relevant relationships to share amongst someone.  Number the Stars by Lois Lowry has proven when life turns unfair, it is our friend who remind that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

  

Character Analysis

As far as I am in the novel of Number the Stars,   it’s hard to say that any of the characters are dynamic. Annemarie is the ten year old of the Johansen’s family she is young but yet knows enough to know the world currently isn’t safe or her.  Her behavior is expected of any girl living through the Holocaust; it seems to me like she misses all the little things, such as eating a full meal or being able to go outside without the worry of world. Now all those little things were taken away from her because of the Holocaust. Annemarie is a static character; her beliefs in God remain the same, values as well.   It’s very clear that Annemarie and her family have no respect for the German nation; never will they side with them unless it’s for their own safety or if their lives are at risk. Therefore they are all static characters.  

Point of View

Throughout the novel of Number the Stars, readers are told about Annemarie Johansen's childhood from the author’s point of view.  Even though, the novel   isn't told in first person, the narrator does a decent job of   including important details that are more likely noticeable when told through first person. Such as, characters actions, personalities and emotions. If the author never mentioned the character's reactions to events within the novel, it would be a very boring read.  Chapter five called “Who is the Dark Haired one?"  Is a perfect example of how the author brings each character's reactions into play.   “This is the Johansen apartment”, requested the deep voice of a Danish Solider, frightening the Johansen’s family. Papa answered “What do you want? Is there something wrong?" Meanwhile the entire family has awakened, this causes the mother to be irritated with the soldiers from the very start. “Then will you be so kind as to tell me where the Rosen's are," demands the soldier. “I assume they are home, and sleeping.” “It is four in the morning, after all." After reading the conversation she has with the soldiers, her tone is very noticeable and I can already infer she is furious with the Nazi’s but doing her best not to show it for the safety of her family.

     Since the narrator/author does a fine job of describing each character and their motives, I can’t imagine the story being told better if told in first person, because I like being aware of every individual’s personalities, instead of just one in particular.   I believe Ellen telling the story in her words would be just as interesting and go in just as much depth about the everyday fear she has to live in, just because of her religion.