“The Devil’s Arithmetic” Name ________________________________________________
BACKGROUND: You have to “suspend disbelief” and accept the idea that a teenage girl can go back
in time to experience the Holocaust so she can learn a lesson about tradition and the real meaning of
the Jewish experience.
PRIMARY CHARACTERS:
Hannah (Kristen Dunst) – teenage girl who “wakes up” in a village in Poland 50 years in the
past to find out that her parents are dead, she is from Lublin, & she is living during the
Holocaust with her cousin’s family.
Aunt Eva – Hanna’s aunt at the beginning (modern times) who thinks Hanna doesn’t
understand.
Rivkah (Brittany Murphy) – Hanna’s cousin in Poland
Leah– bride who gets married to a Yeshiva student at the beginning of the movie
Rabbi Gershaw – religious leader of their village
Ariel - Rabbi’s son who is interested in Hanna
Minna – girl who is pregnant
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1. What is the “modern” Hannah’s attitude toward her family and Jewish culture at the beginning of
the movie AND WHY?
2. What do the Nazis tell the Jews when they make them leave their village? What is the reaction of
the Jewish leaders there? What happens as they leave? HOW are they moved?
3. What immediately happens as they arrive at the camp? What are they told?
4. What are the different things you see happening to them when they arrive at the camp? Why do
you think the Nazis are doing these things?
5. What do the Jews do & how are they treated after the first day in the camp? What problems do
they face? What happens to the Rabbi’s wife & daughters and why?
6. Give examples of how Hannah becomes a leader in the camp. Why do you think this happens?
How does she inspire and motivate the others?
