Chapter 3 (Pages 15-21) Hana's Suitcase

Summary

The script follows the childhood of Hannah Brady, a strong and adventurous girl in 1938 Czechoslovakia. She and her brother George share joyful moments, from pretending to be sailors to skiing adventures and skating on frozen ponds. However, dark times loom as Nazi power rises, and refugees begin to appear at their door. As war approaches, the family faces difficult decisions, leading to a New Year's Eve tradition steeped in uncertainty. Later, in 2000, a suitcase belonging to a young Hana is found, sparking an investigation into her fate during the Holocaust, linking her to Auschwitz.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hannah, a strong girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, was very close to her brother George, often playing together in their childhood.
• 😀 The children enjoyed outdoor activities such as pretending to be in the navy, swinging contests, and building snow forts in the winter.
• 😀 Hannah was especially passionate about skating, perfecting her pirouettes and imagining herself as a dancing princess while wearing her special red skating outfit.
• 😀 Sundays were special for the family, spent together under the comforter and going on family picnics to nearby forts or castles.
• 😀 Despite growing tensions in Europe, such as Hitler's rise to power and the occupation of Austria and Czechoslovakia, the Brady family remained optimistic and close-knit.
• 😀 The family hosted refugees fleeing Nazi persecution, and the children were curious about the reasons these people were leaving their homes.
• 😀 The adults had secretive and tense conversations about the growing danger, including discussions about the potential for war and anti-Jewish laws.
• 😀 There was a suggestion to flee to safer countries like America, Palestine, or Canada, but the idea was rejected as the family felt strongly about staying in their home.
• 😀 On New Year's Eve 1938, the family held their traditional fortune-predicting game, where each child launched a walnut boat with a candle to determine their future.
• 😀 In 2000, Fumiko and the children became interested in a suitcase that had connections to a girl named Hannah Brady, who had been sent to Auschwitz during the Holocaust. Despite efforts to uncover more information, it was only after persistent searching that they found her name on a list from Theresienstadt.

Q & A

What was the atmosphere in Nové Město like before the war in 1938?

Before the war, Nové Město had a lively, peaceful atmosphere. Hannah, her brother George, and their friends enjoyed outdoor activities like playing in the creek, swinging, and racing on scooters. Winter brought skiing and building snow forts, while summers meant family picnics and sleigh rides.

What were some of Hannah's favorite activities?

Hannah loved skating, especially on the frozen pond in Nové Město, where she practiced pirouettes. She also enjoyed pretending to be a princess in her red skating outfit, as well as skiing and playing outdoors with her brother and neighborhood friends.

How did the political climate change by the end of 1938?

By the end of 1938, there was a growing sense of danger due to Adolf Hitler's rise to power and Nazi expansion into Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia. Refugees fleeing from the Nazis began arriving in Nové Město, and discussions among the adults revolved around the possibility of war and the safety of Jewish families in the region.

How did the Brady family react to the news about the rising threat of war?

The Brady family, particularly the parents, were concerned and kept up with the news, though they tried to shield their children from the fear. They offered shelter and food to refugees, but the children, especially Hannah, were confused about the situation and questioned why people were fleeing their homes.

What was the significance of the walnut boat game on New Year's Eve 1938?

The walnut boat game was a New Year's Eve tradition in the Brady family. Children placed small candles in walnut shells and launched them into a basin of water. The way the boats floated or tipped was believed to predict the future. Hannah's boat capsized, which might symbolize the uncertainty and turbulence that lay ahead due to the political climate.

What was the significance of the suitcase that arrived in Tokyo in 2000?

The suitcase that arrived in Tokyo contained a connection to the past. It belonged to a girl named Hannah Brady, who had been sent to Auschwitz at the age of 13. The suitcase became a key object for Fumiko and the children in their search for information about her, and it symbolized the tragic history of the Holocaust.

How did Fumiko and the children try to learn more about Hannah Brady?

Fumiko and the children reached out to various Holocaust museums, including the Auschwitz Museum, Yad Vashem, and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, but they initially found no information about Hannah. Despite the lack of answers, Fumiko continued her search, showing persistence in uncovering Hannah's story.

What did Fumiko discover about Hannah Brady after further investigation?

After continuing her search, Fumiko received a response from the Auschwitz Museum, which revealed that Hannah Brady's name was found on a list. It was discovered that she had arrived at Auschwitz from Theresienstadt, a concentration camp, indicating that she was a victim of the Holocaust.

What role did the Brady family play in the lives of refugees fleeing from the Nazis?

The Brady family provided refuge and support to refugees fleeing the Nazis. They welcomed these individuals into their home, offering food, shelter, and comfort during a time of great uncertainty and danger.

How did Hannah's family celebrate New Year's Eve despite the tense political situation?

Despite the mounting tension and the fear of war, the Brady family celebrated New Year's Eve in their traditional manner with a feast and the walnut boat game. This celebration offered a brief respite from the looming crisis, allowing the children to hold on to normalcy for a while longer.