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About the The Lilac People by Milo Todd Discussion category
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3
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21
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May 4, 2025
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When Karl shares his story in Chapter 9, no white space is used. Contrarily, when Hitler becomes chancellor, plenty of white space is used (pp 164-179). What do you think these narrative approaches are meant to express?
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5
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16
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May 17, 2025
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Does this book reflect today's current political climate? Why or why not?
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21
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68
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May 17, 2025
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Bertie is often preoccupied with Gert's whereabouts, especially after WWII. In what ways is his preoccupation reasonable? In what ways is it detrimental? Where is the line, if any, between healthy and unhealthy concern about a loved one?
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6
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20
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May 17, 2025
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In what ways, if any, does this book alter your perceptions of WWII, the Holocaust, and/or America's role in the liberation of Germany? Did anything surprise you?
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15
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44
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May 17, 2025
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Why do you think Karl was so resistant to masculinity lessons despite identifying as a man?
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9
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26
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May 17, 2025
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Do you interpret the ending as happy, sad, bittersweet, foreboding, hopeful, or something else? Why?
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14
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37
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May 17, 2025
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In what ways do you feel community is expressed in this book? Which expressions are positive and which are negative?
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4
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18
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May 17, 2025
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Is there a quote or scene in The Lilac People that stood out for you? Why do you suppose it resonated?
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9
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29
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May 17, 2025
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Overall, what did you think of The Lilac People? (no spoilers, please!)
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21
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73
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May 17, 2025
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Do you feel Bertie was in unrequited love with Gert? Why or why not?
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8
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32
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May 14, 2025
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Throughout the novel, Bertie demonstrates a fixation with inanimate objects, such as where they came from and where they went. Why do you think this is?
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4
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20
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May 14, 2025
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Trans people during the Weimar Republic could carry police-sanctioned cards identifying themselves as trans. In relation to the time, do you feel this was a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
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10
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34
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May 14, 2025
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All German citizens were made to pay reparations after WWII (in the form of physical labor and low food rations). Do you believe this was fair? Why or why not?
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3
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18
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May 14, 2025
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Goss tells Bernie that the problem with Berliners is that “You take nothing seriously. Everything’s a joke.” He goes on to say, “Never laugh in the face of villainy.” (p.71) What’s your opinion of this advice?
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5
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22
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May 14, 2025
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Karl says that survival is inherently selfish (p.248). Do you agree or disagree? Why?
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4
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20
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May 13, 2025
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Dr. Hirschfeld tells Bertie, "Transvestites are the canaries of the world." (p. 190) What do you suppose he meant? Do you agree that this was true then? How about now?
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7
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21
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May 11, 2025
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Do you feel Sofie and Bertie are bad people for going into hiding instead of actively fighting against fascism? Why or why not?
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12
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33
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May 11, 2025
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Do you believe Sofie would have been better off if she'd never met Bertie? Why or why not?
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4
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15
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May 8, 2025
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What do you think "Das Lila Lied" ("The Lilac Song") means to Bertie, Sofie, Karl, and Gert? What do you think it represents in the story itself?
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0
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2
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April 30, 2025
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Bertie, Karl, and Sofie all show their grief and survivor's guilt in different ways. What are these ways and why do you think they differ from one another?
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0
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2
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April 30, 2025
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