The Choice: Embrace the Possible

How does Eger’s journey compare with Viktor Frankl’s in A Man’s Search for Meaning?

Though Eger’s family adheres to Jewish traditions, she does not discuss the Jewish faith explicitly in the memoir. In what ways does Judaism complement and/or differ from Eger’s “choice” philosophy?

Eger’s willingness to hope fluctuates in different seasons of her life. How do Eger’s hopes evolve through each stage of the story, from survival to recovery?

Eger’s psychological suffering often connects to physiological pain: “There is a constant sludge in my lungs. It’s as though all the tears I can’t allow myself to shed on the outside are draining into a pool inside. I can’t ignore the grief, but I can’t seem to expel it either” (93). How does Eger’s integration of physical and mental health affect the story’s mood and the reader’s emotional connection to the author?

What specific insecurities does Eger project onto Marianne during the girl’s childhood, and how do Eger’s coping mechanisms influence the person Marianne becomes?

Eger writes, “I thought of my hometown: from Košice, to Kassa, to Košice again, the border changing everything, the border changing nothing” (146). How does Kassa’s cultural instability impact Eger’s development, and what changes bear little consequence?

Eger connects with the film The Red Shoes because she hasn’t yet processed the loss of her passion. Describe how different allusions to stories and art, including but not limited to The Red Shoes, help Eger process and effectively express her trauma.

Eger and Béla’s approaches to trauma recovery and parenting often diverge. How does Béla neglect and/or exercise the power of choice within his family life?