The Boy On The Wooden Box

Describe the memoir’s theme of Passive Resistance in the Face of Oppression. Who are the people in the memoir who resisted German oppression? In what ways did people express passive resistance? Was passive resistance limited to the Jews, or did it extend to others as well? Why do you think Jews expressed passive resistance?

Teaching Suggestion: Consider allowing students to access the memoir as a reference. Students may wish to brainstorm people and events to draw conclusions about who exhibited passive resistance. It may be beneficial for students to create a written response to questions prior to discussing. After discussion of the prompt, as time allows, it might be helpful for students to research other events in world history in which passive resistance can be evidenced.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who would benefit from a more focused question in analyzing the memoir, consider limiting the topic to Schindler's passive resistance. It might be beneficial for students to discuss the questions in small groups prior to participating in a whole-group discussion.