Name ____________________________________
Date _________________________ Period _____
The Devil’s Arithmetic
“The Devil's Arithmetic'' is based on Jane Yolen's popular 1988 novel of the same name. It tells
the story of an American girl, bored at her family's Passover seder, who - in a dark version of
''Through the Looking Glass'' or ''The Wizard of Oz''- finds herself transported back to the Nazi
death camps. The title refers to the Holocaust idea that for every one person who died (instead of
you), you gained one more day to live --and one less chance you will be chosen for the gas
chamber. It was said to be an addition problem designed by evil or the devil.
1. Describe Hannah (the main character):
2. How does Hannah feel about observing the Passover holiday with her family?
3. What happens when Hannah symbolically opens the door for the prophet Elijah during the Passover Seder?
How is this explained to her?
4. Who are Rivkah and Mina?
5. Describe what happens near the end of the wedding:
6. What does Hannah mean by her question to Rivkah: “Which is worse? Knowing, or not knowing?”
How would you answer that question? Explain your response.
7. Explain what happens when Hannah and the others arrive at the concentration camp:
8. Describe the conditions at the camp:
