Chapter+Two


 * Summary** pp. 44-57

Philip and the rest of the Roth family decide to take a 300-mile road trip to Washington D.C. Philip describes how his mother had been saving money for traveling expense for almost two years, and how, after a bit of family bickering, they had all agreed that Washington D.C. would be the best place to sight-see.

Roth then describes, for four pages, his cousin Alvin's occupational position; how he had worked for a prestigious Jewish law firm, Steinheim & Sons, for almost two years. Philip offers his depiction of the owner of the firm, Abe Steinheim, only through what he has heard expressed by Alvin. While Herman, Philip's father, has the utmost respect for this man, Alvin absolutely despises him. He calls him "A fake, a bully, a cheapskate, a screamer, a shouter, a swindler, and a man without a friend." And, being his personal driver, Alvin knows Abe Steinheim very well and is knowledgeable to have such a strong opinion about him. Although Alvin seems adamant and justified in his resentment towards his boss, Herman disagrees and "Considered Alvin's complaints kid stuff." After four nights of Alvin and Herman arguing back and forth, and just as it seems about to be over, the Roths learn from Billy Steinheim, of the law firm, that Alvin quit his job, paid his rent, and went off to war to fight Hitler.

Next, Roth reveals the results of the November election, stating that it "wasn't even close." Lindbergh had won presidency, and seemed to have the nation at ease. Following the inauguration, Lindbergh had even gone to Iceland to meet personally with Adolf Hitler, where they discussed the president's signing of an agreement that would guarantee peace between Germany and the United States. Over the next few days, many instances like this seemed to occur between President Lindbergh and other foreign leaders of the world. These meetings are reassuring to most Americans, but for Jewish families like the Roths, they are very unsettling.

Roth describes his father's reasoning for taking them to Washington D.C. as "to convince Sandy and me - whether or not they believed it themselves- that nothing in America had changed other than that FDR was no longer in office." Philip asks his mother's permission to bring his stamp collection along on their trip, and she begins to say no, fearing that it may get lost, but is then won over by Philip's begging. Roth then reveals how relieved he is that his mother finally agreed. He feared that if his stamps were left at home, in the closet next to Sandy's Lindbergh drawings, that all of his collectible stamp designs would turn to swastikas.


 * Analysis** pp. 44-57

The seemingly abrupt shift in direction, where Roth stops talking about the family vacation and begins focusing on Alvin's job and boss, can be interpreted as a reference to the bigger picture in this chapter. Throughout this segment, Alvin reveals his hatred for his boss. His reason seems obvious: he is able to abuse members of his family and law firm for the seemingly superficial reasons that he has money and power. Alvin disapproves of this power abuse, and, when he quits his job, stands up for exactly what he believes in. Not only that, but he then goes off the fight in the war against Hitler, who could be easily portrayed as a much more powerful version of Abe Steinheim, a man with an abundance of power and money, but lacking basic moral standards. So, by joining the Canadian army and fighting against Germany, Alvin is conquering his goals for himself and for his country.

The segment of this chapter where Philip fears leaving his stamps near Sandy's portraits shows the extreme hidden fear Philip has towards Lindbergh's presidency and his relationship with Nazi Germany. The reader is made aware of this because Philip shows that his fears exists even against his own brother, who he would trust in all other respects. The recurring nightmares of his stamp faces becoming swastikas shows an even greater fear of his: America being overtaken by the Nazis.


 * Summary** pp. 58-71

As the Roth family arrive in Washington D.C., they accidentally take a wrong turn and find themselves lost in the heart of America's capital. Philip explains his fascination as they pass the White House, and considers this building as a protector from Lindbergh. A police man on a motorcycle stops and asks the Roth's if they need any help. After stating, "Gotta get you folks out of here," the police man politely escorts the family towards their hotel. As they are driving Mrs. Roth breaks down while they pass the White House once again stating that living in America "isn't like living in a normal country anymore."

After the Roth's arrive at the Douglas Hotel, they are introduced to a professional tour guide named Verlin M. Taylor. He promises to show the family everything they need to see while never getting lost and most definetely never making them disappointed. The family is immediately fond of this whitty and delightful man, but Mr. and Mrs. Roth discuss if they can afford the cost of this tour guide. They settle a deal with Taylor and he officially becomes their guide for the family trip.

Taylor then takes the family to their first dinner, while giving some information of the city along the way. Philip still worries about keeping track of his stamp collection.

After dinner, Mr. Taylor escorts the Roth's to the Washington Monument. Here, Herman states his admiration of Lincoln and FDR while Taylor offers no response. The family tours inside the Monument and then heads directly towards the Lincoln Memorial. While the family admires the enormous statue of this American hero, Herman again goes on to explain his fascination of Lincoln. A woman overhears and then makes the opposing statement, "Thank goodness we have President Lindbergh." Regarding this comment, Herman gets into a dispute with another man who was with the woman. As the other party walks away, Herman is referred to as "a loudmouth Jew," while the woman declares that she would "give anything to slap his face." As Taylor tries to carry on with the tour of the Memorial, Herman can't help but keep commenting on this frustrating situation.

On the way back to the hotel, Herman attemps to figure out more about their helpful tour guide, but Taylor insists on being a secluded and not so open man. As they all walk into the lobby, they discover their suitcases laying on the floor. The front desk stated that there was a miscommunication and their room had been reserved for another family. Herman argues and threatens to call the police while blaming this situation on the leadership of Lindbergh. While the front desk call the police for Mr. Roth, Taylor brings the family's bags out to the car, and phone a nearby hotel reserving a room.

When the police arrive, they insist that the Roth's leave the hotel after a heated argument between them and Herman. As they drive to the Evergreen Hotel, they discover President Lindbergh flying overhead in his plane and Sandy displays much amazement while passer-bys shout, "Hurray for Lindy!"


 * Analysis** pp. 58-71

Throughout this section of the chapter, matters start to become out of control. It is clear that the Jewish community are becoming not as accepted in America. One situation that displays this is when they officer states, "Gotta get you folks out of here," while offering directions. This could very well be implied that the officer realizes that the family is Jewish and knows that problems could arise if the stay around. Another example is when Herman is referred to as "a loudmouth Jew" and gets into a deep argument with another party of people. It is obvious that Lindbergh's leadership is taking control of the American citizens, and the idea of equal rights is falling apart. Also, the Roth's being evicted from the Douglas Hotel is a huge situation that takes place as well. Not only is the family being called names, they are now being denied of being present in a non-Jewish community. This definetely relates to the war going on in Germany and is slowing but surely affecting the United States.

Also, this chapter reveals a lot about Herman Roth. He is an extremely outspoken man who proudly stands up for what he believes in. The changes going on in the country are very much frustrating him, but he insists on remaning a strong Jewish man. He considers himself to have just as many rights as any other American citizen and he proves that he is the dominate father of a family that he will do anything to protect.