By Alexander Morgan and Mackinley Barnesby

1. Howarethecharactersfromatleast two literary works representational of people from the time and place in which they were written? By Alexander Morgan and MackinleyBarnesby

2. Sections to cover • Setting • Context • Characters • Themes • Thesis: In both texts the characters represent, as symbols, the beliefs and values of the society in the time period and place they embody.

3. The reader • Michael Berg: • Representation: the second generation, post war generation of Germany • Setting: Germany, after world war two • Time: Post world war two Germany • Context of Michael Berg: 15 year old school boy in an intimate relationship with a 36 year old Nazi war criminal called Hanna Schmitz • Significance: Their relationship is the exemplification of the bond between the first and second generation • Macka’srant (shortened by Alex): the importance of the relationship is that Michael and Hanna have been able to share something so special even when she’s done such horrific acts of mass murder. Michael is coming to terms with someone who has done something so atrocious – as is the second generation

4. The BOOKWORM • Hanna Schmitz: • Represents the first generation present during the holocaust • Character: 36, Nazi war criminal, illiterate (shame that represents the 1st generation – embarrassed by their actions) • Macka’s rant (take 2): Schlink is interested in exploring the emotional condition of first generation Germans. Represented by Hanna’s conflicted thoughts about their relationship. • Macka’s rant (take 3): The theme of blame is highlighted in the court house where the judge attempts to segregate their generation through the laws and flawed justice. Hanna represents those that are blamed in their generation

5. MERCHANT OFVENICE –VENICE!!!!!!! • Antonio: • Representation: Christian, thus kind, friendly loving, values human relationships over money, merciful and GOOOOD • Context: Merchant with investments at sea (ships) – trading time! • Setting: Venice and Belmont – Elizabethan ERA • Alex’s rant: Antonio is symbolic of the Christian population evident in his display of loyaltyand trust to Bassanio and extent of the risk he is willing to put himself in for another.

6. SELLER OF THE WATERY CITY • Shylock (wealthy) • Representation of the Jewish population with the following ideologies: hateful of Christians, deceitful, greedy, practices usury (illegal for Christians), cares more for money than human relations • Context: Shylock is alienated, as is the rest of the Jewish population • ( Alex’s Rant!!!!!) He’s the villain of the story that the other characters and audience mocks, hence the rest of the population (except for Jessica – Shylock’s daughter, who was willing to switch religion) are thought of as scum • Mack’s rant take 4: the structure of the play deprives Shylock of a positive perspective, which prevents the audience in the Elizabethan era to give him sympathy

7. TraderoftheSeatown • Hierarchy • Portia is representational of the higher classes, below royalty – she’s presented as rich, smart, well respected and desired • Antonio/Bassanio/Lorenzo: middle class – good Christians that are making a living – symbolic of the Christian population in general • Jessica: one of a kind Jew that changes religion – achieves higher social class due to this change • Shylock: of the Jews, well off if not rich, lower social class than most Christians • Gobbo, the clowns: lowest class, presented as stupid

8. BASICOOOOOVVVEEEERRRVIEW • Reader: the feelings of the modern Germany population of the acts conducted by the previous generation • Merchant of Venice: Highlights the divide between Christians and Jews.