This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Monday, December 6, 2010
PERIOD 3 - THE ISLAND ON BIRD STREET
Please pick two or three aspects of the film that made an impression on you and explain why they resonated with you. Make sure to comment on at least one other student's post.
22 comments:
Sam Nichols
said...
Alex's ability to still remain a child despite the situation he was one thing that stuck out to me. His dad and uncle were both gone yet he still had the ability, yet he was still able to see the fun in his mouse and toys. Another thing that really reasonated with me was how Alex's father and uncle sacrificeed themselves for Alex. To me it seemed as if they did it because they have alreay lived their lives while he still had the potential to live his life so the sacrifice was well worth it.
What really stuck with me after watching the movie segment was how the uncle tried to draw attention from Alex while he was running away, even if it meant he would be the one to die. I think that any family bonds made before the Nazis took over were strengthened by the genocide, and this scene displays this :) Another point that made an impression on me is Alex's desire to survive and make the best of any situation - like doing anything possible to gather food and water and the time when he decorated his small hideout with objects he found. I found his determination to survive very commendable.
I definitely agree with Sam. Fighting to survive didn't quite take the childhood out of his life, and I'm happy that he could somehow maintain that link through his pet mouse. I can see where Sam got the idea bout the adults sacrificing their own lives so Alex could get the change to live out his own life.
One of the most moving moments of the film for me was when Alex's uncle was killed as he was running away from the group of Jews being taken away. To imagine watching a loved one be killed was so upsetting to me that I soon realized that what the Jews went through is unfathomable.
Another thing that resonated with me was the independence and courage Alex had, living for days on his own. Battling through every day seems like such a scary thing, and it amazed me to see how clever and crafty he was- with the ladder, his little home, and scavenging for food.
I agree with Anna's comment about the sacrifice Alex's uncle made for him when he was running away.
The thing that stuck out to me is Alex's bravery in surviving. He was always curious and this is what kept him alive. He always knew where to go whenever he needed to hide. It's crazy how he found a way to get water and all the necessities. Lastly, the thing that stuck to me the most is how lucky he was. This is what really kept him alive and kept him away from the Germans.
I agree with Anna about his uncle. It's crazy how much he loved Alex and how willing he was to risk his life for him.
The fact that Alex was able to look after himself awsell as the man who was shot really reasonated with me because because the Germans were going into the ghetto everyday and the screaming could have given them away. Alex showed true bravery and compassion when he went to the doctor to get the medicine to save the man. The faith Alex had in is father was also incredibly inspiring, after a month of no sign of his dad he still chose to stay behind when given the chance to escape. Lastly I admired how the girl stuck up for Alex and covered for him when the boys were going after him calling his "Jew fish".
I agree with Sam, Alex was still able to remain a child was incredible considering the dark situation he was in.
The part of the film that stuck with me the most was that fact that Alex was brave enough to survive on his own. Since Alex was separated from his father, I was surprised how he was able to build the ladder and construct several different hiding stops for when the Germans were coming. Another scene that stuck with me in the film was when Alex's uncle sacrificed himself in order for Alex to escape from the selection process. His uncle decided that Alex's life was more important then his own so he was able to sacrifice himself.
I agree with Sam that the uncle gave up his life in order for Alex to live a full life.
one thing that really stuck with me throughout the film was Alex's ability to not give up. He always kept fighting to stay alive and did not plan on giving up at any time. another thing that really stayed with me was when the uncle was killed while trying to draw attention away from Alex. that was a very unselfish act and it paid off in the end because Alex was able to survive.
I agree with what sam said about his ability to remain like a child despite the environment that he was now placed in.
One thing that stuck with me as I watched the film is that Alex refused to give up. No matter how close he was to being caught, he was still able to stay out of the German's sight. He made decisions that were mature for his age and this showed his will to survive.
I agree with Sam in that the sacrafice was worth it for ALex to stay alive and live his life.
One of the scenes that I found most memorable was how he was able to build up the courage to shoot the German officer. He transformed from a boy to a man in a split second and saved to lives in the process. Along with his courage, I was very impressed with his creativity in survival. The fact that he was able to survive months in those conditions is truly amazing. He constructed his home, found food and found running water.
I agree that the mouse is representative of his childhood innocence. I disagree though because I feel that when he pulled the trigger and killed the officer, most of his innocence was gone.
One thing that stuck with me was that no matter what happened Alex refused to leave the ghetto and never lost hope that his father would return. Even when he had the chance to move away with the family of the little girl he went back to the ghetto and waited, and by this point in the film this is what I expected him to do.
I agree with Brian on how one of the scenes that will stick with me was when he shot the German officer. For a little boy to do this who had never shot a gun it took a lot of courage.
One thing that really resonated with me was Alex's love for his pet Snow. Throughout the entire movie Snow was always with him and Alex would do anything to protect snow even if it endangered himself. I showed how true young the Alex was during the film. It also showed Alex caring nature. Another thing was how Alex never gave up on his dad and always believed he would return. After all that time I would have thought he may lose hope.
Agree with Shady that Alex's bravery and creativity was what eventually keep him alive all that time.
I was really surprised at how resourceful Alex was. He managed to make a home for himself, find food and water for weeks, and even treat a gun shot wound victim back to health. I was also impressed what a good person Alex was to help the man who had been shot back to being healthy. He definitely didn't have to do that and it actually endangered his survival to do so.
I agree with Sam Nichols about Alex keeping his innocence and the sacrifice of his uncle and dad.
One thing that made an impression on me was Alex's bravery and determination to survive. He was brave enough to run away from the crowd of Jews that were leaving the ghetto even thought there was a very high chance of getting killed. It also impressed me how Alex was able to hide from the Nazi soldiers who were scattered all around the ghetto and still find materials to survive such as food and materials to make a ladder. Another thing that resonated with me was Alex’s trust in his father. Even though his father had been gone for over 100 days and Alex was all by himself he still believed his father would come back for him. I agree with Meredith. I was really impressed by how cleaver Alex was. The way he was able to find materials and use them to help him survive was surprising for such a young boy.
What I found most compelling was Alex's determination to survive even in the ghetto as well as his beleif in his father. His father could have never returned and Alex would have never had known. I enjoyed the film and hope to see the end sometime. I also agree with what Sam had said about Alex's ability to remain a child no matter the situation.
Alex was such a brave young kid that it really stood out in my mind that this was a kid who was doing something extraordinary and amazing. I can't even imagine being put into his situation, especially at his age. I was amazed that not only did he survive, but his father found him in the end as well. His determination to live was just so strong that it was able to keep him for months in a cupboard. I agree with Meredith that I was just amazed at how clever this boy was to do all this. I'm just amazed at his story and hope to learn more about him.
I really enjoyed the contrast in Alex between his ability stay a child but also is mature enough to take care of himself and understands ways to protect himself in the horrible situation he has to deal with. what also resonated with me is the fact that alex did not go with the family, he waited to see if there was hope in finding his father and stayed where he knew his dad could find him.
i agree with allie that alex's faith was inspiring
I thought the film was really well done overall. I liked that alex was very resilient and his ability to keep his hope throughout was incredible. I agree with Sam in that it was amazing for him to maintain his childhood throughout his experiences. I really enjoyed watching this movie.
The boy Alex left a very lasting impression, for the struggles he overcame. His skills of being resourceful made me admire how smart this young boy was. How much he loved his mouse also left a feeling of admiration, that he had something he cared so much about through his struggle.
I also agree that his will to stay in the ghetto for his fathers return was very memorable.
What resonated with me was how Alex was isolated, even when there were people all around him he couldn't ask anyone for help. He had to isolate himself. It must be a curious kind of awful to know that communicating with any stranger on the street could lead to your execution. I agree with everyone who was amazed by his fathers return. I had given up, and felt frustrated with Alex when he didn't go with the family.
Three things that resonated were how quickly Jews turned against one another when things got bad, how long the kid managed to survive alone in the ghetto, and how he kept hope that even after so long his father would come back. And he did.
One thing that stood out to me was how despite being so young, Alex still took care of the older Jews during the movie. It was incredible for a very young child to be taking care of an adult during times like these. Another thing that stood out was how Alex was able to survive on his own for so long. Being a young child during this time must have been very hard to survive and live on your own but Alex could. He had such great determination and survival skills. I also agree with Sam. It was amazing how he was able to maintain being a child. He had his mouse as a friend and still gathered toys to play with. Alex was an incredible kid and made an impression on my life.
22 comments:
Alex's ability to still remain a child despite the situation he was one thing that stuck out to me. His dad and uncle were both gone yet he still had the ability, yet he was still able to see the fun in his mouse and toys. Another thing that really reasonated with me was how Alex's father and uncle sacrificeed themselves for Alex. To me it seemed as if they did it because they have alreay lived their lives while he still had the potential to live his life so the sacrifice was well worth it.
What really stuck with me after watching the movie segment was how the uncle tried to draw attention from Alex while he was running away, even if it meant he would be the one to die. I think that any family bonds made before the Nazis took over were strengthened by the genocide, and this scene displays this :) Another point that made an impression on me is Alex's desire to survive and make the best of any situation - like doing anything possible to gather food and water and the time when he decorated his small hideout with objects he found. I found his determination to survive very commendable.
I definitely agree with Sam. Fighting to survive didn't quite take the childhood out of his life, and I'm happy that he could somehow maintain that link through his pet mouse. I can see where Sam got the idea bout the adults sacrificing their own lives so Alex could get the change to live out his own life.
One of the most moving moments of the film for me was when Alex's uncle was killed as he was running away from the group of Jews being taken away. To imagine watching a loved one be killed was so upsetting to me that I soon realized that what the Jews went through is unfathomable.
Another thing that resonated with me was the independence and courage Alex had, living for days on his own. Battling through every day seems like such a scary thing, and it amazed me to see how clever and crafty he was- with the ladder, his little home, and scavenging for food.
I agree with Anna's comment about the sacrifice Alex's uncle made for him when he was running away.
The thing that stuck out to me is Alex's bravery in surviving. He was always curious and this is what kept him alive. He always knew where to go whenever he needed to hide. It's crazy how he found a way to get water and all the necessities. Lastly, the thing that stuck to me the most is how lucky he was. This is what really kept him alive and kept him away from the Germans.
I agree with Anna about his uncle. It's crazy how much he loved Alex and how willing he was to risk his life for him.
The fact that Alex was able to look after himself awsell as the man who was shot really reasonated with me because because the Germans were going into the ghetto everyday and the screaming could have given them away. Alex showed true bravery and compassion when he went to the doctor to get the medicine to save the man. The faith Alex had in is father was also incredibly inspiring, after a month of no sign of his dad he still chose to stay behind when given the chance to escape. Lastly I admired how the girl stuck up for Alex and covered for him when the boys were going after him calling his "Jew fish".
I agree with Sam, Alex was still able to remain a child was incredible considering the dark situation he was in.
The part of the film that stuck with me the most was that fact that Alex was brave enough to survive on his own. Since Alex was separated from his father, I was surprised how he was able to build the ladder and construct several different hiding stops for when the Germans were coming. Another scene that stuck with me in the film was when Alex's uncle sacrificed himself in order for Alex to escape from the selection process. His uncle decided that Alex's life was more important then his own so he was able to sacrifice himself.
I agree with Sam that the uncle gave up his life in order for Alex to live a full life.
one thing that really stuck with me throughout the film was Alex's ability to not give up. He always kept fighting to stay alive and did not plan on giving up at any time. another thing that really stayed with me was when the uncle was killed while trying to draw attention away from Alex. that was a very unselfish act and it paid off in the end because Alex was able to survive.
I agree with what sam said about his ability to remain like a child despite the environment that he was now placed in.
One thing that stuck with me as I watched the film is that Alex refused to give up. No matter how close he was to being caught, he was still able to stay out of the German's sight. He made decisions that were mature for his age and this showed his will to survive.
I agree with Sam in that the sacrafice was worth it for ALex to stay alive and live his life.
One of the scenes that I found most memorable was how he was able to build up the courage to shoot the German officer. He transformed from a boy to a man in a split second and saved to lives in the process. Along with his courage, I was very impressed with his creativity in survival. The fact that he was able to survive months in those conditions is truly amazing. He constructed his home, found food and found running water.
I agree that the mouse is representative of his childhood innocence. I disagree though because I feel that when he pulled the trigger and killed the officer, most of his innocence was gone.
One thing that stuck with me was that no matter what happened Alex refused to leave the ghetto and never lost hope that his father would return. Even when he had the chance to move away with the family of the little girl he went back to the ghetto and waited, and by this point in the film this is what I expected him to do.
I agree with Brian on how one of the scenes that will stick with me was when he shot the German officer. For a little boy to do this who had never shot a gun it took a lot of courage.
One thing that really resonated with me was Alex's love for his pet Snow. Throughout the entire movie Snow was always with him and Alex would do anything to protect snow even if it endangered himself. I showed how true young the Alex was during the film. It also showed Alex caring nature.
Another thing was how Alex never gave up on his dad and always believed he would return. After all that time I would have thought he may lose hope.
Agree with Shady that Alex's bravery and creativity was what eventually keep him alive all that time.
I was really surprised at how resourceful Alex was. He managed to make a home for himself, find food and water for weeks, and even treat a gun shot wound victim back to health. I was also impressed what a good person Alex was to help the man who had been shot back to being healthy. He definitely didn't have to do that and it actually endangered his survival to do so.
I agree with Sam Nichols about Alex keeping his innocence and the sacrifice of his uncle and dad.
One thing that made an impression on me was Alex's bravery and determination to survive. He was brave enough to run away from the crowd of Jews that were leaving the ghetto even thought there was a very high chance of getting killed. It also impressed me how Alex was able to hide from the Nazi soldiers who were scattered all around the ghetto and still find materials to survive such as food and materials to make a ladder. Another thing that resonated with me was Alex’s trust in his father. Even though his father had been gone for over 100 days and Alex was all by himself he still believed his father would come back for him.
I agree with Meredith. I was really impressed by how cleaver Alex was. The way he was able to find materials and use them to help him survive was surprising for such a young boy.
What I found most compelling was Alex's determination to survive even in the ghetto as well as his beleif in his father. His father could have never returned and Alex would have never had known. I enjoyed the film and hope to see the end sometime. I also agree with what Sam had said about Alex's ability to remain a child no matter the situation.
Alex was such a brave young kid that it really stood out in my mind that this was a kid who was doing something extraordinary and amazing. I can't even imagine being put into his situation, especially at his age. I was amazed that not only did he survive, but his father found him in the end as well. His determination to live was just so strong that it was able to keep him for months in a cupboard. I agree with Meredith that I was just amazed at how clever this boy was to do all this. I'm just amazed at his story and hope to learn more about him.
I really enjoyed the contrast in Alex between his ability stay a child but also is mature enough to take care of himself and understands ways to protect himself in the horrible situation he has to deal with. what also resonated with me is the fact that alex did not go with the family, he waited to see if there was hope in finding his father and stayed where he knew his dad could find him.
i agree with allie that alex's faith was inspiring
I was absent for two out of the three classes we watched this film.
I thought the film was really well done overall. I liked that alex was very resilient and his ability to keep his hope throughout was incredible. I agree with Sam in that it was amazing for him to maintain his childhood throughout his experiences. I really enjoyed watching this movie.
The boy Alex left a very lasting impression, for the struggles he overcame. His skills of being resourceful made me admire how smart this young boy was. How much he loved his mouse also left a feeling of admiration, that he had something he cared so much about through his struggle.
I also agree that his will to stay in the ghetto for his fathers return was very memorable.
What resonated with me was how Alex was isolated, even when there were people all around him he couldn't ask anyone for help. He had to isolate himself. It must be a curious kind of awful to know that communicating with any stranger on the street could lead to your execution.
I agree with everyone who was amazed by his fathers return. I had given up, and felt frustrated with Alex when he didn't go with the family.
Three things that resonated were how quickly Jews turned against one another when things got bad, how long the kid managed to survive alone in the ghetto, and how he kept hope that even after so long his father would come back. And he did.
One thing that stood out to me was how despite being so young, Alex still took care of the older Jews during the movie. It was incredible for a very young child to be taking care of an adult during times like these. Another thing that stood out was how Alex was able to survive on his own for so long. Being a young child during this time must have been very hard to survive and live on your own but Alex could. He had such great determination and survival skills.
I also agree with Sam. It was amazing how he was able to maintain being a child. He had his mouse as a friend and still gathered toys to play with. Alex was an incredible kid and made an impression on my life.
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