Essay Questions

How does Alan Judd's historical allusions aid the development of the novel?

The book is set in 1940 during World War II around the same time as the German invasion of the Netherlands. The author uses this timeline and the events and figures that existed during this timeline to set up his book. His allusion to Winston Churchill helps bring in the conflict of the Kaiser's loyalty. The allusion to the Kaiser himself and his exile help set up the main plot of the book. Using the Nazis and the Third Reich as the central evil in this book create the antagonists that the novel needs to stir up conflict. By using historical allusions as the backbone of the book, the author Alan Judd is able to easily create the setting, background, tone, and minor details of the time period. Not only is the reader able to easily familiarize with what is taking place, but the author himself has more freedom to tinker with other parts of the story.

What does Martin Krebbs and Akki's love for each represent? Is this a theme that is commonplace in literature?

Martin Krebbs is a young, lanky and freshly commissioned SS Officer. He is a strong believer in the Nazi ideology and is eager to take part in the war activities of the German army. Krebbs supports the actions of the Third Reich and hates and distrusts the Jewish population. Akki is the exact opposite. She is part of Germany's enemy, the British, and works as a spy for the British army against the Third Reich. She is also a Jewish woman. Despite these strong differences, Krebbs and Akki fall in love with each other. This represents the idea of love overcoming hate or more essentially good over bad, and is a theme that is widespread in literature.

Why does the author include the Kaiser's background in relation to Britain?

Kaiser Wilhelm II had grown up in Great Britain as a child and spent lots of time with his favorite cousin, who would later go on to become the leader of Britain while he became king of Germany. This background information foreshadows the idea of the Kaiser's soft spot for the British. This allows the author to create a conflict in the story that will lead to the main plot. Because the German army and its high-ranking officials are worried that the Kaiser will go over to the British side, they occupy his house and investigate him and his staff, all of which is the central core of the novel. Simultaneously, it allows the author to create the ending where the Kaiser flees to Britain.

Is there a reason for the ending of the book? How would it have been if the Kaiser, Krebbs, and Akki had defeated the German soldiers in their house?

At the end of the book, German commanding officers realize the treachery that is at play. They find out that Akki si a British spy and that Krebbs plans to help her. They go after all the people but the Kaiser, Krebbs, and Akki manage to escape, fleeing to Britain. The reasons that could be seen for the book include two separate ideas. One is that the author wished to present it realistically. It would be nearly impossible to defeat those soldiers so them fleeing seems reasonable. The other idea is that it presents the idea of hope in the novel. By fleeing away, it leaves to be seen what the group is able to do in the future against the German army. The ending would have been less dramatic and satisfying had it simply had been a win of good defeating evil. It would be nearly impossible to defeat the group of armed soldiers and this event occurring would merely be a setback for the climax of the novel.