The Boy at The Top of the Mountain

Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. World War I (Chapter 1)

2. An orphanage in Orléans (Chapter 2)

3. Aunt Beatrix (Chapter 3)

4. Emil and the Detectives (Chapter 4)

Short Answer

1. After World War I, Wilhelm begins drinking and becomes violent. He dies when Pierrot is young, forcing Pierrot’s mother to provide for the family until she contracts tuberculosis and also dies. At school, Pierrot is bullied for being small. (Chapter 1)

2. Anshel befriends Pierrot. After Pierrot’s parents die, Mrs. Bronstein takes Pierrot in. Even though she wants to keep him, the arrangement is temporary because she cannot afford to take care of him long term. (Chapter 2)

3. Pierrot feels isolated in the orphanage and struggles to make friends. A boy named Hugo bullies him, but Pierrot tries to sympathize with him when he realizes they have had similar experiences. (Chapter 3)

4. Simone claims Hugo and Pierrot have a lot in common because Hugo’s father was also affected by World War I. This similarity creates empathy for Hugo’s character, which is further developed when she reveals that Hugo’s mother was persecuted by her husband’s family for being a Jew. Understanding Hugo’s background provides insight into why he behaves cruelly to others. (Chapter 3)

Chapters 5-7

Reading Check

1. Housekeeping (Chapter 5)

2. Traditional German clothing (Chapter 6)

3. Anshel (Chapters 6-7)

Short Answer

1. When interacting with Herta, Pierrot gets the impression that the master of Berghof is strict and should be feared. Beatrix tells Pierrot it would be “safer” for him to wear German clothing, and he gets the impression from Beatrix and Ernst that they do not agree with Hitler’s worldview. Beatrix cautions Pierrot not to discuss France, encourages him to change his name to Pieter, and insists he quit speaking to Anshel. (Various chapters)

2. Ernst supposedly leaves for a meeting while Beatrix and Pierrot shop. Her insistence that Ernst did not have a meeting implies that he is part of an organization that defies Hitler’s rule. (Chapter 6)

3. Beatrix says Wilhelm was never the same after World War I. She describes his wounds as mental and emotional, and she tells Pierrot that after Germany lost World War I, his father became angry and bitter. (Chapter 6)

4. Pierrot feels sickened by Emma when she kills the chicken. He realizes it was necessary but writes to Anshel that he has never liked cruelty or violence. The situation reminds Pierrot of the discrimination and persecution of Jewish citizens in France. (Chapter 7)

Chapters 8-10

Reading Check

1. Deutsches Jungvolk (Chapter 8)

2. King Edward VIII of England (Chapter 9)

3. A cake (Chapter 10)

4. Ernst and Beatrix (Chapter 10)

Short Answer

1. Pierrot is frequently exposed to Hitler’s thoughts and ideas when he spends time with him. Beatrix is concerned about Hitler’s influence over Pierrot. (Chapter 8)

2. Hitler slowly befriends Pierrot and shares his ideologies with him. He connects with Pierrot over their shared love of dogs and books, and he makes him feel important by giving him a uniform and making a special exception for him to join the youth organization early. He also makes Pierrot declare an oath of loyalty. Later, Pierrot is given an honorary position as a footman. (Chapter 8)

3. Pierrot begins to emulate Hitler’s mannerisms and behavior. He is unkind to Beatrix and the Berghof servants, and he describes his father as weak and cowardly. He develops an inflated sense of self, gives Beatrix the smaller room, and later accuses her of being a traitor, which leads to Ernst’s and Beatrix’s executions. (Various chapters)

4. Pierrot is simultaneously proud of his connections to Hitler and frightened of him. He takes pride when Hitler makes him an honorary footman, but then he burns letters from Anshel, fearing Hitler will find them, and wets the bed when Hitler threatens him in his bedroom. (Various chapters)

Chapters 11-14

Reading Check

1. Scharführer/Squadron leader (Chapter 11)

2. Concentration camps and gas chambers (Chapter 11)

3. Katarina (Chapter 12)

4. Emil and the Detectives (Chapter 13)

Short Answer

1. Though the other members of the Hitlerjugend have the same position as Pierrot, they have people who are under their command. Pierrot’s position is an honorary title bestowed by Hitler but does not provide Pierrot with authority over other members. (Chapter 11)

2. Pierrot is cruel when he feels insecure, particularly to those in service positions. For example, when Hitler belittles him for his age, Pierrot takes his anger out on Emma, demanding a sandwich and yelling at her when she refuses. He even knocks her down when she refers to Anshel as his “old friend.” (Chapter 11)

3. Pierrot writes a letter to Ernst’s sister apologizing for his involvement in his execution, but Ernst’s sister declares her brother a traitor to Germany. Pierrot realizes the depth of the Nazi ideology that is still present in Germany. His apology and subsequent acknowledgment of some people’s inability to move on indicate that Pierrot feels guilty for his involvement in the war and wants to make amends. (Chapter 14)