The Assault

Write an essay that performs a detailed character analysis of Anton. What are his core characteristics, and what themes and messages does Mulisch develop through Anton’s characterization?  

Write an expository essay in which you parse the symbolic and literal significance of the character of Truus Coster. What narrative and metaphorical role does she play in the novel? How does she shape Anton’s life and perceptions? How does her character serve as a thematic vehicle, and what explicit themes does her character and presence within the narrative communicate?

Explore Mulisch’s engagement with humanity and Fascism by engaging with the following quote from Truus Coster:

‘For [the Nazis] everything is very simple, but for us it’s more complicated. We’ve got to become a little bit like them in order to fight them—so we become a little bit unlike ourselves. But they don’t have that problem; they can do away with us without any qualms. We first have to do away with something inside ourselves before we can do away with them. Not them; they can simply remain themselves, that’s why they’re so strong. But they’ll lose in the end, because they have no light in them.