The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
Student Packet Chapters 8--10
(adapted from ELA Core Plans)

Chapters 8 ~ Tone & Foreshadowing
Tone is the attitude that a writer takes toward the audience, a subject, or a character. It is usually expressed in one word that expresses a feeling (such as, sarcastic, bitter, somber, gloomy, melancholy, joyful, excited, etc.) Tone is conveyed through the writer’s choice of words and details.
Look at tone in this chapter and analyze how the author creates the different tones.
Read the following passage from page 61.

“When Hannah looked up again, she could see Viosk laid out at the far end of the meadow, picture-postcard pretty. Small houses nestled in a line, and the larger buildings, none higher than three stories, stood behind, like mothers with their children.
As the horses pulled them closer, Hannah could distinguish a central open market with stalls, surrounded by stores. There was a pharmacy topped by a large black sign, a barbershop with its familiar peppermint stick, a glass-fronted tavern, and a dozen other shops. In the middle of the market, a tall wooden pole supported a bell. Behind the open market was a towering wooden building with four separate roofed sections and fenced in courtyards. The dominant color was brown: brown wooden buildings, brown sandy streets, as if it were a faded photograph. Yet it was real.”

17. Look at the bolded words and details from this passage. These words and details help to create a tone. What three words would you use to describe the tone of this passage?

There is a contrasting tone on the same page when Fayge sees the automobiles and trucks in front of the shul:
“Hannah looked where Fayge was pointing. In the middle of the brown landscape, like a dark stain, were three black old-fashioned cars and twelve army trucks strung out behind. She gave an involuntary shudder.”
18. What is the tone in this passage?
19. Which words, details, or descriptions that contribute to this tone.

Foreshadowing contributes to tone:
“Somehow the badchan materialized in front of the wagon. He pointed to the man with the medals and cried out, ‘I see the malah ha-mavis. I see the Angel of Death.’”
20. What does this foreshadow?
21. How does it contribute to the tone?

“As they moved closer, more men in dark uniforms got out of the cars and truck cabs. They made a perfect half circle in front of the synagogue doors, like a steel trap with gaping jaws ready to be sprung.”
22. What does this foreshadow?
Chapter 10 ~ Bringing to Life the Harsh Reality
Using Word Choice, Dialogue, and Details
This chapter brings to life some of the harsh realities of the Holocaust. Examine how the author brings these horrific events to life for the reader.
23. First, write about your reactions to this chapter. Free write about what you thought and felt as you read what happened to the characters on the train. (This should be a half a page, or so, in length. In addition to how this scene made you feel, include details that particularly stood out to you).
Now, look at what Yolen does to capture these events and relate them to us in a realistic way. She does this through word choice, details, and dialogue.
24. What is the tone of this chapter?
25. Some words to describe the tone of this novel are dreadful, appalling, and terrible.
Do any other words come to your mind when thinking of the tone?

Reread pages 77-83. Look for words, details, and dialogue that create such a realness and contribute to the tone. Complete the chart with the words, details, and dialogue that you choose.
26.

Words that contribute to the tone Details that contribute to the tone Dialogue that contributes to the tone
Hurt One of the women smelled of garlic “We’re locked in!”

***Please answer these questions in complete sentences. ***
Chapters 8-10
1. Why doesn't Fayge enjoy the "Sherle" wedding music and dance?

2. How does Fayge treat Hannah (Chaya) her soon-to-be-niece?

3. Tell what the wedding party sees upon gaining an open view of the village.

4. How does Hannah singularly figure out what is happening?

5. What does Hannah tell the rabbi to try to get him to turn back? How does he respond?

6. In what manner did the intruders stop the procession from entering the synagogue?

7. What information do the Nazi officers give the group of villagers?

8. How does the rabbi try to calm the group?

9. How do the truckloads of Jews attempt to calm their fears on the way to resettlement?

10. What is the first thing the Jews notice upon their arrival at the train station?

11. After getting out of the trucks, what does the Nazi officer demand the villagers to do first?

12. Upon rising from lying on the ground, what are they made to do next?