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The Book of Lost Names


A heartrending novel of survival, inspired by an astonishing true story from ...
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How would you define the main characters in the book? Do their religions or countries play into who they are as people? Do you think they can truly be separated from their backgrounds?

Created: 05/21/21

Replies: 3

Posted May. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

How would you define the main characters in the book? Do their religions or countries play into who they are as people? Do you think they can truly be separated from their backgrounds?

On page 370, Eva says, "We aren't defined by the names we carry or the religion we practice, or the nation whose flag flies over our heads. I know that now. We're defined by who we are in our hearts, who we choose to be on this earth." How would you define the main characters in the book? Do their religions or countries play into who they are as people? Do you think they can truly be separated from their backgrounds and judged only by what is in their hearts and what they choose to do?


Posted May. 21, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marganna

Join Date: 10/14/11

Posts: 162

RE: How would you define the main ...

I’m only in partial agreement with Eva. I once saw a documentary “What you are is where you were when” / the message was we are “formed” (for lack of better word)by the era & location of our generation & location.
Each side of the whole “nature” / “nurture” debate could be defended.
Main characters: Eva - strong, determined, talented, humble, loving, caring
Her mother / please don’t get me started on her - I think author over played this to a stereotype.
Remy - proud, patriotic, determined
Joseph - charming, handsome, cunning, weak
I lean more on the side of where we are born, what circumstances, what’s happening in our immediate surroundings and in the world. I believe it definitely matters what flag & when...yes, our hearts have to be ready to make our lives & the world a better place; why do some hearts see the good & work for it & others turn toward evil ...don’t know!


Posted May. 27, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gabi

Join Date: 02/22/21

Posts: 111

RE: How would you define the main ...

I would define the main characters in this book in part by their actions, or as Eva says, "what is in their heart and who they choose to be." However, I also don't believe one can ignore where a person is from, their family, their heritage, their culture, the world around them at the time, etc. in the person they become/are. The former makes up the essence of the person as a human, while the later makes the person a unique individual. In comparing Eva and Mamusia, I think Eva was more defined by her heart, while her mother's character definitely seemed more defined by country, Jewish heritage and cultural expectations.


Posted May. 31, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jeannew

Join Date: 04/23/11

Posts: 118

RE: How would you define the main ...

I think all of these factors make up who these characters are, but that's not what they should be judged on. People should be judged on their actions. I wish people were more that way.


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