What World is Left; Monique Polak
Kristine Beaumont
General Summary
"What World is Left" By: Monique Polak
Theresienstadt
Danish Red Cross
What I have Learned..
Qoutes from Anneke
Anneke Van Raalte was grown up to be a optimistic person, which in Theresienstadt is a very rare quality because of the horrible living conditions set in the "model city". (pg.47) "That's you Anneke, always making light of things. We couldn't be more different, could we?" Anneke is her own person. She believes in telling what is right and wrong, and telling the truth, not really caring for the consequences. As quoted, (pg.214) "I'm sorry if I have made things even harder for Father. But I couldn't help myself. I had to let him know how I felt about what he was doing. I had to stand up for what I believed was right, I suppose I had to learn." Anneke is a very grieved girl with a mind constantly filling with questions, she is constantly confused about the world around her. (pg.163) "I feel like falling to my knees weeping. I feel like giving up. If no one ever learns the truth about Theresienstadt, what difference will it make if I do give up?"
Reflection..
When push comes to shove, you really have to look at the important aspects of your life. What is more important, loosing a family member or loosing a friend? Anneke is really put to the test when a Nazi storms into her room asking where her father's art pieces are. When she goes to show the Nazi, she notices a piece of art that was painted and signed by a friend of hers. She decides if she should show them that art piece of her friends or one of her fathers. Being in a situation where you have to think fast is not easy. But for me, my family comes first over everything. Everything I have learned about the Holocaust, I learned first that these people were put to a test of life or death on in any split second. Finally, I think it is very important to read and learn about this tragic time in our history like What World is Left so we can understand what life really was like during these times.