Writing Prompt: One SUMMARY; One PARAPHRASE; One QUOTE:
1) Using paragraphing and apt quotations, summarize Part I.
2) Paraphrase a significant passage from Part I and in a brief paragraph explain to your reader why the passage is significant to the text as a whole.
3) Find a significant quote from Part I, and in a brief, well-developed paragraph, explain to your reader why the quote is significant to the text as a whole.
NOTE: After posting on the blog, open up the CANVAS assignment (by the same name) and DO copy and paste the URL address into the CANVAS "WEB URL" text box so that I have record of your submission on Canvas. Thanks.
Gabrielle Tallman
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ENG 1003
5 November 2015
IGofBeasts- Sum/Para/Quote- PART 1
Erik Larson starts off the book with the introduction of the American history professor and dad, William Dodd. He lives with his family in Chicago and is financially stable, even though the Great Depression haws hit. His passion is writing and devotes most of his career attempting to complete the four-volume series, "The Rise and Fall of the Old South." Dodd finally receives the opportunity to be named ambassador, but to Hitler's Germany. His family decides to move, even though daughter Martha had to sacrifice her love life for it. The author continues to tell history throughout the story of the Dodd family's experiences.
As a great historian and author of this book, Erik Larson foreshadows what the whole work will be about. He first reminds the readers that most Americans didn't want anything to do with foreign affairs and much less wars. That entitles fear. Second, the country of Germany had a small military unit, especially compared to surrounding nations. That's politics. And lastly, Germany owed a debt tot America so nobody thought that they would be a threat. After all, how could they pay for an army to invade if they were already in debt? That's a money problem. And this is why nobody saw what was yet to come from Germany.
Erik Larson starts the, "Das Vorspiel", or prelude of his, "In The Garden of Beasts" by traveling back into a much darker time. Into the center of a Hitler-ruled city, Larson wonders, "Why did it take so long to recognize the real danger posed by Hitler and his regime?"(xvii). This made me think, also. Didn't people of America see the negative trends taking place all around him in Germany? Didn't we know we were bound to be targeted next? This question sets the stage for the whole piece of writing because Larson will be providing examples and reasons of why we didn't see this devastating future coming right for us, told throughout the life stories of the American Dodd family.
Breanna Roper
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English 1003
5 November 2015
IGofBeasts-Sum/Para/Quote-Part I
In Erik Larson's "In the Garden of Beasts", Larson begins his story by describing a man in search of a greater destiny, William Dodd. He grew up in a not-so-wealthy family, and worked rigorously for the duration of his entire life to earn what he has. He has a son (William Jr), wife (Martha, aka Mattie), and daughter, who also is named Martha. Dodd is a professor of American history at the University of Chicago, but has a great desire to progress farther up, and to continue his series of nonfictional books regarding the south. He did not imagine he would ever have the opportunity to be the ambassador of Berlin, but against all odds, he was offered the chance. He receives news of this and asks his daughter to come along with him, and she soon agrees, as it is an "oppurtunity...that could bring them all together again, if only for a while" (22).
In the opening paragraph of part 1 of the chapter "Means of Escape", Larson writes, "
The telephone call that forever changed the lives of the Dodd family of Chicago came at noon on Thursday, June 8, 1933..." (9). Dodd had been hoping to fulfill his dream of becoming as successful as he possibly could, how exactly this was going to occur, he was unsure. He is soon offered the opportunity to be the American ambassador of Berlin, and accepts. In doing this, he does not realize what is in store for not only him to experience, but his daughter Martha as well. They are going to experience a great deal of turmoil and sadness, as this significant quote foreshadows.
Berlin was once viewed as safe, and a place that will cause no harm, due to the not-so-genuine things that Hitler had been proclaiming to his country and others. He had convinced the world he wanted peace among all, and that he wanted no war. Most of the world believed this, in turn, causing them to let their guard down. At the time, Berlin's army was not powerful, so it seemed as if there was nothing to worry about; which is most likely was intended by Hitler, a form of reverse psychology. In convincing people of his "desires of world peace", he eliminates their suspicions of the impending horrors and traumatic events that will follow within the year.
Logan Radwanski
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English 1003
5 November 2015
In the Garden of Beast Sum/Para/Quote
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In part one of “In the Garden of Beast” we are introduced to Mr. Dodd who is a chairman of the history department at the University Chicago where him and his family resign. Having to have work very had for everything he had through out his life, Mr. Dodd’s character is setup to be a modest man with a sense of humor that was “lively, dry, and easily ignited”. Mr. Dodd is itching have more time to write about history and is thinking about other jobs that would allow him to have more time to write than his current job abided him. When the President calls him to offer him the position of ambassador of Berlin for which the President has been having trouble filling in the position, Mr. Dodd after some consulting with his wife, Mattie accepts the offer. Inviting along his son and daughter Martha who accept his invitation embark the journey of Berlin. Upon arriving in Berlin all seems fine and quiet compared to what the papers had been reporting back in the States with Hitler’s rising to power in the government and the treatment of the Jews. Martha states, “I feel the press had badly maligned the country and I wanted to proclaim the warmth and friendliness of the people…the serenity of the streets.” (50).
Paragraph three in chapter four “Dread” brings up important points that are mentioned in Larson's Vorspiel of why no one stood up to Hitler and tried to help the Jews in Germany. The President Roosevelt’s opinion & thoughts on the situation is revealed, as he knew that Nazi’s was mistreating the Jews and wasn’t happy with this at all. But he didn’t want to delve into German issues due to the political cost that would happen even though a couple of Jewish leaders most certainly wanted to address the problem and help their fellow Jews. These leaders wanted him to ease Jews into the country and stand up to the Nazis but Roosevelt didn’t want more immigration as the country was still in the Depression and slowly getting out of it. Also another important note stated in the paragraph, “Isolationist added another dimension to the debate insisting, as did Hitler’s government, that Nazi oppression of Germany’s Jews was a domestic German affair and thus none of America’s business.” (28) For people didn’t want to get involved in foreign affairs anytime soon as the Great War was still fresh in their minds.
In the “Das Vorspiel” in Larson’s “In the Garden of Beast” he brings up the theme/question of how did Hitler go along his way without any world leaders or countries calling him out or standing up to him. When Crane gives Dodd the advice in chapter four, “Let Hitler have his way.” (39) In fact shows the attitude people had towards dealing with German affairs in America. As no one wanted to get entangled with foreign matters anytime soon as due to the Great War. It got them into the Great Depression, which they are currently dealing with now in the story. Furthermore this will be a reoccurring idea through the book as Hitler gains power and control but no one is attempting to stop him.
Peter Cote
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English 1003
5 November 2015
Paraphrase, Summary, and Pertinent Quote In the Garden of Beasts
Paraphrase p. 41:
As Martha was looking ahead on the journey to Germany, she realized how little she knew about Germany. She did not know any of the politics and did not like what was happening in Germany. She believed that Hitler looked like “a clown who looked like Charlie Chaplin” (41). Martha took on the common belief that Hitler would not be in office long because she felt he was not someone to be taken seriously. The mixed feelings she had for the Jewish situation happening in Germany was resulted in her hostility toward Jews, as she learned in college. She learned from the professors at Chicago the Jews were smart and brilliant students. She believed that the Jews were less socially desirable and ugly compared to Gentiles. The Jews, as Martha views them, were rich but pushy. She agreed with the general public that Jews had too much power in the United States. Although many Americans wanted the Jews to leave, Martha was ambivalent in her opinion about them. This shows that the average American did not believe Hitler was a bad person. Most people believed Hitler would not be in power for long, and they did not care as much about him torturing people because they were Jews.
Quote:
As the Jewish leader Rabbi Wise talks to Dodd, he realizes that Dodd is in for a rude awakening from Hitler. Wise believes the rumors that have been going around about Hitler, and he realizes that Hitler is not who people believe he is. Wise provides information by saying “If people must be prepared for the truth about Jefferson and Washington, what will [Dodd] do with the truth when he learns it about Hitler, in view of his official post?!” (42). Wise emphasizes how bad he believes Hitler is. He is afraid that Dodd will not be prepared for the surprising truth behind Hitler because of Dodd’s fear of the public knowing the truth about Jefferson and Washington. Dodd is unprepared to see how horrifying Hitler is, and Wise shows that through this quote.
Summary:
In Erik Larson’s “In the Garden of the Beasts,” Germany is seen as no big threat because of their small military power, but people are proven wrong when they realize Hitler is not going to be gone so soon. Americans view the Germans as a weak, irritating country that owes America a lot of money. Larson explains that “Germany’s military power was limited” (19). This shows that people do not see Germany conquering anyone because they believe Germans do not have the ability to. Hitler also undermines the people of America because he appears to be a peaceful “actor.” Larson emphasizes this by saying that “Hitler declared himself committed to peace” (19). While Hitler states that he is for peace, Americans keep believing he is not a big threat and will not do anything, so Americans want to stay out of the war. These “isolationists” like to stay out of foreign affairs because they are not an issue directly related to the United States. Larson also shows not a lot of people like Jews, and that is part of the reason no one is doing anything about the Jews being persecuted in Germany. The Dodds go to Germany and see that it is nothing like they expect it to be. Beautiful, magnificent, and unthinkable are the words to describe Germany, but the Dodds soon find out some of the rumors are true. Germany is not what they think it is, it is much worse.
Devante Wrenn
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English 1003
4 November 2015
The beast
In the first part of the book “In the Garden of Beast”, in Germany terror is going on and Jews are getting slaughter and mistreated by the Germans. Everybody underestimated Germany because they had little power and wasn’t a threat to anyone. Germany took an advantage and started doing things their own way. They have tortured a few Americans harshly but it didn’t strike the US as a big threat. In papers there had been reports of Germans beating people to almost death and killing Jews for no reason. The president of your United States says that we need to avoid this and he didn’t take too much concern in the terror that was going on. So not many people in America paid attention to what was going on in Germany expect for a few people. One of these people happens to be, Dodd, the president’s son, who decides to see what is going on in Germany. He and a few other close and important people come along and they reach Germany and as they are goiong through the streets everything looks peaceful. There was no sign of what people had said about them in the paper. In a way it seemed like Germany fooled them.
On page thirty two Roosevelt talks about how he knows somewhat of Germanys doing to the Jews but he get jeopardize the American citizens. He says that we must protect our citizens and not get involved in anything that is going on. If American invades then we may start something that could interfere with innocent people in America and this would cause the president to look bad because it would be his decision. In a way Roosevelt is playing a safe game until something bad really happens and then he will make a decision.
On page thirty it says “they are filthy, UN-American and often dangerous in their habits”, this is a quote from Wilbur J. Carr, an assistant secretary of state, who didn’t like Jews. He describes a city he went to full of “dust, smoke, dirt, Jews” which in a way foreshadows what happens to the Jews in Germany. The Americans didn’t like Jews that much because they weren’t from here and they seem to disrespect things in a way. This shows another reason why America didn’t want to help Jews.
Trevor Porter
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English 1003
5 November 2015
ITGOTB Summary
In part one of, In The Garden of Beasts, It outlines what events are taking place in the time preceding, and time after the party's departure to Berlin. There have been many stories of brutal, horrible things going on within Berlin's walls. The President, Roosevelt, sends the Dodds along with his son to go and investigate.Stories of men being stripped naked and beaten to the brink of death frighten them. But when they get there they soon find out how beautiful Berlin's buildings and landscapes are. But what is really going on inside these walls?
Paraphrase
Page 48 Bottom
This paragraph describes the hotel that the Dodds will be staying in during their stay in Berlin. Its name is the Esplanade, it's one of the city's finest hotels. This was not to Mr Dodds' wishes, he requested a, "modest quarters in a modest hotel" (48). He is attempting to portray and image of him as a common man that shouldn't intimidate anyone. He wishes to live frugal in their time of stay. Within the first day something has already been messed up.
Quote
On page 35 of In the Garden of the Beasts, it foreshadows some of Hitler's intentions. "Hitler's vows of peaceful intent were illusory, meant only to buy time for Germany to rearm, Messersmith warned."(35) This is interesting because when the Dodds first arrive Germany appears to be the most beautiful, peaceful place they've been too despite the stories. What is going to happen to these people within the next year?
Hunter Hebert
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English 1003
5 November 2015
Part I: Into the Woods
In Part I of In the Garden of Beasts, we are introduced to Mr. Dodd and his family. Mr. Dodd, having previously worked as the Chairman of the history department at the University of Chicago is searching for a new job that will continue to intrigue his love of history. When the President calls him and offers him the position as ambassador of Berlin, after consultation with his family, he accepts the position, despite protest from his daughter, Martha. In justifying his decision, he claims the move will provide “…an opportunity to have his family together one last time.” (22). Together, Mr. Dodd and his family make the trip to Berlin where they find it is not as hostile and terrible as everyone claimed it to be.
The third and final paragraph on page 50 describes Martha’s immediate feelings about Berlin. Martha tells of how her father used to have a passion for Germany, and as she walked through the city she too felt “a rush of affection for the country.” (50). Martha also takes notice in how, despite common media claims, peaceful and serene the city was, saying “I felt the press had badly maligned the country and I wanted to proclaim the warmth and friendliness of the people…” (50.) This scene of Martha allows the reader to better understand the drastic change of atmosphere that Berlin will take as Hitler’s Germany grows more hostile and powerful.
In “Das Vorspiel”, Larson brings up the discussion of how easily history could’ve been changed if someone had taken a stand to try and intervene with Hitler. He says “Hindsight tells us that during that fragile time the course of history could so easily have been changed. Why then, did no one change it?” (xvii). This eerily simple question introduces the story, which goes on to show the affects how no one stepping into to try and stop Hitler’s Germany shattered the lives of millions of people, took away from the beauty of cities and turn them into war zones, and the destruction of peace.
Aidan Bish
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SWU English 1003
5 November 2015
QUOTE:
Larson introduces several influential groups in the time, along with their significance to the war. About one group he says “these ‘isolationists,’ led by William Borah of Idaho and Hiram Johnson of California, had become increasingly noisy and powerful. Polls showed that 95 percent of Americans wanted the United Stated to avoid involvement in any foreign war.” This is one answer to the question of the rest of the world’s uninvolvement in Germany’s behavior, even when the signs were evident; after world war one, most of America did not want to be a part of European conflicts.
Carter Groomes
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English 1003
5 November 2015
Summary:In the beginning Larson sets the stage with "a telephone call that forever changed the lives of the Dodd family"(9). The president calls William Dodd, who is chairman of the history department at the University of Chicago, and wants him to be the ambassador of Berlin. This causes him to make a decision that could impact his family forever. Although the hard time his daughter is giving him, Dodd chooses to accept the job offer and move his family to Berlin. His expectations for Germany were shattered once he got to Germany because he thought all was well. Germany was fooling the whole world, with the rise in power of Hitler the Dodd's are in for a rude awakening.
Paraphrase: At a very bad time in Germany's history, the Dodd family found themselves moving to Germany. They stayed there for four and a half years, and found themselves in the middle of Hitler's rise to rule. The first year set the stage for what was soon to be a terrible reign of terror from Hitler. This is important to the passage because it introduces a setting and shows you what it was like for the Dodd family.
Quote: Throughout the first part of the book when William Dodd broke the news to his family about the job offer, his daughter was totally against it and argued for a long time with him about it. William decided it would be best for them to go so they could get one last opportunity to start over as a family. Then Larson tells us "Dodd's misgivings flared. By this point he had begun to dread leaving Chicago and his old life"(39). This is one of the first times that William Dodd shows that he wished he was staying in Chicago. Although he sticks with his decision it foreshadows all the experiences that are yet to come.
Anna Newton
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English 1003
5 November 2015
Part 1: In the Garden Of Beasts
Summarize:
In the book, “In the Garden Of Beasts,” William Dodd, professor at University of Chicago, receives a new job that changes his life, and his family’s. Roosevelt found Dodd to fulfill the very important position, of the ambassador to Germany. At this time, it was 1933, and Hitler’s terrible acts were beginning. The Dodd family, including his children Martha and Bill Jr., and his wife, Mattie, all moved to Berlin so he could start the new job. They soon realize that Germany is such a beautiful place.
Paraphrase: Page 50 Last Paragraph
Now that everyone was settled, Dodd realized that the country of Germany had a “rush of affection.” He received violets everyday for his room, and Martha felt the same comfort in this new place. They were very shocked to see that Germany is not like what the news makes it out to be. It is beautiful. Dodd wrote, “I felt very press had badly maligned the country and I wanted to proclaim the warmth and friendliness of the people, the soft summer night with its fragrance of trees and flowers, the serenity of the streets.”
Quote:
Erik Larson, in his book, “In the Garden of Beasts,” asks why it took so long to realize Hitler’s danger at the very beginning in the prologue. Larson then answers, “Hitler declared himself commited to peace and went so far as to pledge complete disarmament if other countries followed suit” (19). Therefore, American citizens were not prepared for the danger to come from Hitler because of the “peaceful” impression given off.
Kaylee Young
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English 1003
5 November 2015
Summary, Paraphrase, Quote
Part 1 of In The Garden of Beasts begins by introducing a guy, William Dood, the chairman of a history department at the University of Chicago. He grew up as a rather poor fellow, who essentially has always had to work very hard for what he wants. Dood was offered a diplomatic job to go to Berlin, by Roosevelt. Dood accepted the job because he thought it would be prefect for a not so demanding, and highly waged job that could support his family. Family was the most important thing to him that was his “greatest love.” Later on, the book shares that Roosevelt knows of the Jew problem among Germany but doesn’t not care to do anything to fix it. His and the isolationists want to stay out of it and especially want to put a stop to Jew immigration because of he already high unemployment.
The passage on page 28, discusses how America wants to completely stay out of German affairs. Roosevelt knows all the violence and unfair treatment in Germany but he chooses to not do anything about it. The Jewish leaders urge Roosevelt to “ease the entry of Jews into America” (28). However, America is still trying to get over the Depression, and immigration will rupture the economic crisis and unemployment that America is trying to recover. Therefore, the isolationists said that German affairs, are German affairs, is none of America’s business.
In The Garden of Beasts, in chapter 2, he discusses all the issues we never expected to happen in Germany. It says, “And Hitler himself had begun to seem like a temperate actor that might have been predicted given the violence that had swept Germany earlier in the year.”(19) This quote reflects how no one expected that Hitler was going to turn into an evil, corrupted dictator. This is important to the story because it shows the unexpected violence that later comes.