How essential is the Holocaust to the novel's plot?

How essential is the Holocaust to the novel's plot? Is it an integral part of the narrative, or more of an historical aside?

Absolutely essential considering the Lithuanian (Eastern European) theme and the world events during the time of the novel.

I think it is essential because it made Isaac's decisions a real matter of life and death for his relatives. It gave credence to his mother's depression and agony over what Isaac did. She wasn't just concerned about family being together, she was concerned about family surviving.

I agree. It directed everything in the world of Isaac's mom

The holocaust is the intimidating challenge that drives Isaac which his mother has ingrained in him to bring her sisters to safety out of Lithuania before Hitler gets to them

I think that having the fore knowledge of the Holocaust as a reader made Gitelle's drive to bring her family out of there very realistic. It also gave me a stronger feeling of frustration when Isaac did the things he did and in the regard it was very essential to the story.

It is essential , because the family is originally from Lithuania, and they are Jewish. The holocaust (or deportation at the time), and the war would have to be in Gitelles mind.

It is extremely essential. Being bullied and Jewish were two things that really crafted Isaac.

Most essential--the climax on the novel occurs when the events of the Holocaust in Lithuania are revealed to Rively.

It is pivotal. Without the discrimination the family suffered in Lithuania there would've been no story. Gitelle wouldn't have been attacked and the family most likely wouldn't have immigrated. Gitelle wouldn't have been so driven to rescue her family if she hadn't feared for their safety. It was a big turning point for Isaac when he was placed in the moral dilemma of having to decide which of his aunts to rescue. This would be a terrible burden to be given to anyone and was reminiscent of Sophie's choice. How to make such a decision? Isaacs ultimate decision to use the rescue money for his own advancement was the ultimate breakdown of his morality.

How essential is the Holocaust to any WWII plot? It is the centerpiece and Black Hole of the whole conflict. There is no way a story could be written about the lives of people who lived in that area, in that era, without the Holocaust being front and center.

Essential. The defining factor in the family. Pretty much the core of the narrative.

Setting this story prior to and during WWII adds an additional dimension to the occurrence of discrimination in South Africa. It was not one that I was aware of.

Very essential, it is part of WWII and the characters are Jewish. It was a scary and dangerous time. Joycew

Any book written at that time in history almost always has a theme of the Holocaust. I believe that it was essential to the plot of the book considering that the characters were Jewish. It was a great book