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Alex Nguyen Ms. Leary IB English 3 December 2013 Effects of Interactive Orals in Improving Understanding and Appreciation of The Reader While I was familiar with the general events during the Nazis lightning rise and fall, I realized I needed specific comprehension about the psychosocial environment of Germany after the war to understand the extensive philosophical musings and internal monologues within The Reader. The interactive orals helped me develop a sense of context, by providing me with a birds-eye view of the perspectives and motivations of each character and the author. The historical context of the novel is elaborated upon during presentations on the Nuremberg trials and the Nachgeborenen, helping me better appreciate the weight of these events and the sources of the characters emotions. I was not able to understand narration during Hannas trials clearly because they are described in legalese. The presentation on the war crime tribunals was central in helping me not only to learn more about a pivotal event in the history of international law, but also to gain background on the rules and procedures under which these trials were carried out. Further information on the Nachgeborenen explains Michaels ambitions, his ideal of writing as a way to liberate himself from the decades of buried shame that has become commonplace in his generation (216).

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On the other hand, presentations about Bernard Schlink and the genre of vergangenheitbewaltigung greatly aid me in understanding the purpose of the novel. The interactive orals provide the background information on the author, his views, and his views in relations to other similar works in the genre. For example, Michaels assertion of the reality of post-World War German collective guilt, in which Michael is culpable for loving Hanna, for condoning the existence of a monstrous killer, is translatable to Schlinks belief that German identity is a burden (169). Also, vergangenheitbewaltigung, or coping with the past is almost explicitly stated as the purpose of the book, for the author notes the Nazi past was an issue even for children who couldnt accuse their parents of anything (169). Before, I was unable to decide on whether to sympathize with or to despise Hannas actions. Yet, after these presentations, along with Schlinks personal views taken into account, I do not believe Schlink would want us to judge Hannas behavior. The author probably wanted that judgment due on Michaels behavior. Therefore, through the interactive orals, I was able to take cultural and contextual nuances into consideration when thinking about the authors and the characters motivations purpose.

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