Later Chapters Discussion: Religion in the Novel

[Stephanie]

How do religious affiliations play an important part in both the past and the modern-day storylines?

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[Fozzie]

On page 349, Paul tells Jake about his notion that their mother married their father in order to "advance the racial theories of the Third Reich," as Jake put it. Paul says, "Not in so many words, but we were often told that the Nazis lost because they were too pure and noble and so she was sacrificing herself to inject some sneaky-smart Jew genes into the mix."

This is an example of a religious stereotype of Jews in the book. I feel like I have heard of Nazis trying to get the right look for their people and being willing to intermarry with others. I am not sure that this is true though. I also couldn't help but wonder if the idea of marrying a Jew in order to introduce some of their characteristics into the race is based in some sort of fact. Does anyone know? Michael?

[Stephanie]

Laura,

What an incredibly interesting question! I've never heard of it, or thought about it. But, you know me, I'm going to have to try to find out about that one.