Chapter+1+Answers

1) By illustrating Lindbergh as “a lean, tall, handsome hero, a lithe, athletic-looking man,” and Philip is depicting him as the classic American hero, the good-looking and courageous celebrity that the American public is infatuated with. This description gives readers an understanding early on as to why the American adore the aviator so and why they find it inconceivable that he’s a Nazi. However, the Jewish population sees right through his physical appearance and is not caught up with the celebrity obsession, but instead they find his appearance to be trickery and an unfair advantage to gain him presidency over the best candidate for the job, the crippled Roosevelt.

2) The Jewish population in America loves FDR so much because to him he symbolizes a time of stability and security in the United States. Though he may have wanted to get involved in the European war, the Jews did not necessarily regard that as a bad thing, as they knew Hitler desperately needed to be stopped. They also adored Roosevelt for the sole reason that he wasn’t Lindbergh and at that time almost anybody would be better to have in the White House. In addition, FDR was considered a friend of the Jews and with so much anti-Semitism in America, the former president stood up for these minorities.

3) Philip describes his stamp collection in such length at the beginning of the book because it gives readers an understanding that this is his childish passion and a big part of Philip’s life when the story starts, however as the plot progresses and the boy begins to lose that innocence through the events in America and Europe, his enthusiasm for his stamps starts to fade until they are completely gone and he is left with only the memory of that time of simplicity and security.

4) Sandy told his parents that he tore up the drawings of Lindbergh because he knew they felt such fear and were so threatened by the man that even those pictures upset them. However, Sandy still found interest in Lindbergh and by not ripping up the drawings, he was almost marking his betrayal to the family when he later joined the Just Folks program and sided with his Aunt Evelyn, rather than his parents. Furthermore, the pictures are also what made Alvin truly despise Sandy.

5) It's no mystery that children are easily influenced. It is evident not only by what they say, but also by what they do. In this case, the children are playing "I declare war", which certainly is a dark game for their age. Meanwhile, the country is in a political bind, being heavily divided on the issue of war with Germany. Roth goes on to share, "Declaring war was all we thought about too." This further proves the point that America's situation is affecting everybody, and the subject of war has been embetted into even America's smallest minds.

6) Alvin's role in the first chapter is one of passion. It is his job to make the reader panic. He shares, if not surpasses, his father's enthusiasm toward the election. He is first introduced by Sandy, who immediately states, "He's going to fight for the British against Hitler." This clearly shows his desire to make a difference, and at the same time reveals his fiery personality. Another role he plays is a realist. He's the character who seems to know Lindbergh will win the election, and does not hesitate to share his opinion: "Don't you see, Uncle Herman, what they got the great Bengelsdorf to do? He just guarenteed Roosevelt's defeat!"