Chapter Summary of I Have Lived a Thousand Years, Growing Up in the Holocaust by Livia Bitton-Jackson :: essays research papers

Foreword: Elli Friedmann has returned 50 years later for a ceremony to the spot where she was once liberated by the American army. Living during the Holocaust, she has chosen to give us her story. Chapter 1-The City of My Dreams- Somorja, summer, 1943-March, 1944 Elli talks about daily life in her neighborhood. Her mother does not show any compassion for her. When Elli complains of this, her mother brings up excuses that are unconvincing. Elli believes her mother does not care for her and that her brother is the favorite. Hilter’s reoccurring radio broadcast give nightmares to Elli, whos family is Jewish. The nights when the Hungarian military police would come and stir trouble did not provide anymore comfort for Elli. One night, her brother, Bubi, comes home with news that Germany invaded Budapest, the town where he goes to school. But the next morning, there is no news in the headlines. The father sends him back to school. He learns the next day that a neighbor’s son who goes to school with Bubi has said the same. The day after, the newspapers scream the news of the invasion. Bubi arrives home, and the terror begins. Chapter 2- Hey, Jew Girl, Jew Girl - Somorja, March 25, 1944 Elli’s school has just closed. As she is leaving, a group of boys seem to be having a childish Nazi rally. She runs home and sobs for her normal life back. Chapter 3- The Tale of the Yellow Bicycle- Somorja, March 27, 1944 The â€Å"liquidation† process of the Jews in Elli’s town has begun. Everyone’s prized possessions must be brought to city hall, where they will also be registered. Elli has just gotten a new bike and does not want to give it up. After they come home, her father shows her and the rest of the family a spot where he has buried their most prized possessions. He tells her that he does not know who will survive. He then asks her if she will remember the spot. She yells that she does not want to be the only one to survive, and she does not want to remember. Chapter 4- The Tale of the Yellow Sun- Somorja, March 28, 1944 Every Jew must wear a yellow star and have a painted yellow star on their house. Elli does not leave the house for a week, and cannot believe the horrible things that have begun to surround her. There is an announcement that everyone will be receiving their school report cards and diplomas.