77 pages • 2 hours read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Summary
Background
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Tools
The travelers are smuggled into Poland by a Turkish man named Saakadze. Crossing from Turkey into Poland is prohibited “due to the plague” (654) and the nearby village is largely deserted. When purchasing food for the group, Nahman exaggerates his stories. He has a “propensity for exaggeration” (652). Spies track Jacob’s journey. He visits his sick and bedridden grandmother, Yente. The local people are worried about his insistence that “breaking the old laws is necessary” (649). He preaches about assembling a new religion from parts of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Jacob’s preaching is not always understood or appreciated but his following grows as he moves from village to village. His male followers show their appreciation by offering up their wives, sisters, or daughters to share Jacob’s bed. Jacob calls his religion “the faith of the Holy Trinity” (645) and he preaches about the end of the world, but the rich and comfortable listeners are less inclined to believe him.
Jacob recruits two female guardians: A girl from Busk and a self-proclaimed descendent of a “Polish princess” (643) named Gitla accompany him everywhere. Jacob and Gitla become particularly close, though she annoys many people.
Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
By Olga Tokarczuk
Challenging Authority
View Collection
Historical Fiction
View Collection
National Book Awards Winners & Finalists
View Collection
Nobel Laureates in Literature
View Collection
Popular Book Club Picks
View Collection
Power
View Collection
Religion & Spirituality
View Collection
The Best of "Best Book" Lists
View Collection
The Booker Prizes Awardees & Honorees
View Collection
Truth & Lies
View Collection