April 25, 2010 Everything Is Illuminated Questions 1) I would not go as far as to say someone is a hero in this story, because there really wasn't a villain, but I have to agree that if anyone would be called a hero, it should be Jonathan. He revealed a world and a past the other characters (mainly Alex) have never seen before. For example, he was the reason the true horrors of the holocaust were revealed to Alex and his Grandfather. When they went to find Trachimbrod, Jonathan grandfather's Jewish hometown, and found Augestines sister, er recap of how Augestine was killed was something Alex could never imagine dealing with.
But as to how Jonathan is a real hero, I guess he sort of saved people from ignorance. 2) If Jonathans name was any different, I don't there would have been a different story. That is, unless his name was Jonathan Brown, or something un-Jewish, because that would make him not Jewish, and make the story not exist. I'm not exactly sure what this question is referring to when you say "name". If you mean, if Jonathan was not called a hero, I don't think it would change the story all that much, ecause I don't think of him as a true hero as it is. ) Jonathan travels to the Ukraine to find Augustine and Trachimbrod, both essential pieces to his lineage, because he is an extremely involved family member who wants to know about his familys struggles and their past.
Alex and his grandfather are mainly Just taking Jonathan to where he needs to go, but as the story develops they are also whole heartedly searching for Trachimbrod and Augustine. 4) My view on Alex's view of Jewish people is more neutral than sour. He never seemed uncomfortable around Jonathan. He's never met a Jewish person, I think, because of his culture and where he chooses to be.Most Jewish people in Europe reside close together in very tight knit communities, marrying other Jews, strictly staying in their religion.
Alex obviously is not Jewish, so he probably never associates with them. He really Just wasn't educated on Jewish people at all, and did not come off as prejudiced or over the top accepting, just neutral. His grandfather on the other hand, was an adolescent in a time of overwhelming opinions flying around every bodys faces. Like most people in that time, he had to choose the most powerful belief to survive.He was a former Nazi, and killed many people.
Seeing him older, he had seemed to repent from his extreme hate, and while he was younger, he seemed to have been in the Jewish community from what we saw of his trip to what was left of Trachimbrod. He showed how guilty he felt by killing himself off in such a violent fashion, so deep inside, he probably was accepting of Jews and felt awful for what pain he had caused families worldwide. 5) Jonathan said he could not tell his grandmother about his trip to the Ukraine because 'she doesn't think it's a safe place. But he only said it in such simple words because that was all the English Alex could speak.
His grandmother grew up in Ukraine during the time of war, and obviously had tied death and extreme hurt to Ukraine, and would never want anyone in her family to go back and experience what she once felt. Many people push out certain objects and areas when it reminds them of an awful emotion, Just as they hold close to objects and areas when they are reminiscent of eautiful emotions. 6) The humor in the film I think was needed for it to stand out. ts survivors. To show humor was a smart move by the author of the book and director of the movie because they re-invented its extreme horror into humor, to be more relatable by the public. Not only is humor what audiences like, but it shows a deeper stronger side to the author/director.
7) Lies, though sometimes necessary always end up messy. And they are always told to come off as certain way for the public. Maybe to seem cooler, or preserve a character people view someone as, either ay, they are fake.In this movie, I didn't see too many lies told...
maybe the book showed more of a deceitful undertone than the movie. Lies hurt the liar only when they get proven to be phony. It revokes trust, and damages a lot. A lot meaning everything from self esteem, to business offers.
Depending on the situation, obviously. But in some situations, a lie is necessary, not for devious purposes, but to encourage a friend, or save money for someone you love. Good lies are usually only used when one really cares about another.To be an honest person can be brutal, ecause everyone wants to hear the truth, and sometimes the truth is not so pleasing.
Lying is sort of an okay value to have, because it shows how a person recognizes the natural flaws everyone possesses, and how they have the ability to see past it and tell people what they need to hear. I only like lies when they are beneficial to somebody. But not the cheap and greedy type of beneficial- a humane type of beneficial. 8) I believe that Alex's grandfather killing Jews was totally wrong, and he should feel guilty.I did not think he had to kill himself at first, and was questioning hy he suddenly felt so strongly about his Nazism choices, but then I realized he had carried that sort of extreme remorse all throughout his life, not Just at that specific time. His death was somewhat honorable, and paid a type of respect towards Jonathan and all the Jewish people he killed.
Sadly, the only way he could have paid such respect was through death, since that is what he caused all of them. Most of the time suicides are selfish, no matter how 'sad' a person is.This time was different, because Alex's grandfather was not sad or selfish, he was selfless in the sense that he id, after all, stand up for the Jewish people as he should have a long time ago. I think people are always going to be responsible (and need to always think of themselves as responsible) for bad things others do if they do nothing to stop them. People should leave nothing to chance, and take care of the situation by themselves if they must.
If not, then people will soon be set into the un-motivational mold of sitting and watching instead of being around to stop whatever terrible act they see, and chaos will swallow the world.
