Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust

Picture books can teach us important lessons about our selves, our communities and societies, and the world overall; they can illuminate important elements of our past and history and help pave the way for a better future.

The first picture book we will be reading is Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust by Eve Bunting. Here are a few important terms and background to consider before reading the book:

1. The Holocaust: systematic persecution of approximately 6 million Jews by the Nazi Regime

Timeline of Holocaust and World War II

2. Martin Niemöller (1892-1984) was an ardent nationalist and prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last 7 years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.

Niemöller is perhaps best remembered for the quotation:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me.

3. Terms to know:

Allegory: a text (poem, story, novel, painting, etc.) that symbolizes a universal idea; Terrible Things is an allegory of the Holocaust because characters and the plot symbolizes actual events and problems of this historical event.

Community: a group of people living in the same location

Responsibility: something you are accountable for

Perpetrator: someone who is guilty or responsible for something

Victim:one who is harmed or killed as if by accident, disease, or intention

Bystander: one who is present at an event without participating

Upstander: someone who takes action on behalf of others

Analyze and write in your notebook:

1. Title and author   2. Social issues and messages   3. Genre and author's purpose   4. Style and craft 

Post-reading Questions:

1. How is this an allegory of the Holocaust? What does it show about this historical time period?
2. Look back at the terms. Who are the victims? The perpetrators? The bystanders? The upstanders? What does the text show about them?
3. What are the messages in this book? How can they be applied to your life and life in general?
4. How does the book relate to the Universe of Responsibility activity we did? What conclusions can you make based on the activity and the text?

Full Text:

http://store.scholastic.com/content/stores/media/products/samples/84/9780545154284.pdf