Class 7: Unit-2 - Anna and Max (Only For Reading and Discussion)

Anna and Max by Judith Kerr

Anna and Max Judith Kerr Anna and Max is an excerpt from the timeless semi-autobiographical novel When Hitler Stole the Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr. Kerr, like several other Jews living in Germany, fled from her home to escape Nazi persecution. In this excerpt, she deals with the themes of racial prejudice, ever-changing friendships, and the challenges of being neutral in the face of injustice.

Anna, Max, and their parents take shelter at a lakeside inn in Switzerland to escape the Nazi persecution in their homeland, Germany. They befriend the innkeepers’ children, Vreneli, Franz, and Trudi Zwirn, and develop a great bond with them.

One morning, they are joined by two German children, Siegfried and Gudrun, who are staying at the inn with their parents. While engaging in an energetic game of chase, the children are interrupted by the mother of the German children, who forcibly takes her children with her. She also expresses great disgust towards Anna. The behaviour of the German lady greatly surprises Anna, and she thinks perhaps the German lady believes she is badly brought up because she had bumped into her during the game. Later that afternoon, when Anna sees the German lady and her children carrying heavy parcels, she tries to mend things by opening the inn door for them. However, the lady pushes her children inside and squeezes past Anna with a sour expression.

Another morning, Anna and Max try to join Vreneli, Franz, Trudi, Gudrun, and Siegfried in a game. But they are forbidden to do so because the German children have been asked to stay away from them. The German children were initially friendly, but since they are instructed by their mother, there is not much they can do about it. Max and Anna are left behind by the other children. They are deeply hurt and confused about this whole scenario and decide to speak with their parents. Their mother confronts the German lady in the dining hall, resulting in a heated argument. It is at this point that the readers are informed that the German children have been forbidden to play with Anna and Max because of their race.

Anna's father, on the other hand, decides to speak to Herr Zwirn, telling him to let his children choose between Anna and Max and the German children. By doing this, he not only challenges their stance of being neutral but also emphasises the importance of standing up for what is right. For Anna and Max’s parents, the situation is as depressing as it is for their children. The persecution from which they wanted to escape has followed them here too.

After spending the dullest and most depressing afternoon and feeling terrible about everything that happened, Anna and Max are in for a pleasant surprise when Vreneli and Franz join them at the lake. They choose their old friends over the new ones—thus standing up for empathy and friendship in this hostile environment.

The story ends with the German family leaving the following morning. Despite their ‘triumph,’ Anna and Max are left feeling sad. They sensed that the German boy wanted to remain friends, but he did not have much control over the situation. At the end, he did not even look at them in the dining room. Anna wonders about him and how he will be shaped by his upbringing. This thought leaves the reader pondering about the longlasting impact of indoctrination and the importance of being tolerant and inclusive. The bittersweet ending underlines how children become victims of unjust ideologies that adults impose on them.

Anna and Max serves as a reminder of the dangers and devastating effects of prejudice based on race or religion. The Nazi ideology fostered hate and exclusion solely because Adolf Hitler and the Nazis believed in racial superiority. However, the story also highlights the beauty of friendship and how powerfully it can blur social and cultural divides. It also explores the importance of standing up for what is right and making choices, even if they are difficult. It shows that being neutral is not an option when others are being persecuted. The Zwirn children’s decision illustrates the impact of our choices on our relationships and within the community. It reminds us of the responsibility that we have towards each other.

Detailed Summary in Points — “Anna and Max”

1. Anna and Max, along with their parents, leave Germany to escape the persecution of Jews under Nazi rule.
2. They take shelter at a peaceful lakeside inn in Switzerland, hoping to live safely away from discrimination and fear.
3. At the inn, they become close friends with the innkeepers’ children—Vreneli, Franz, and Trudi Zwirn.
4. The children spend their days happily playing games together and enjoying each other’s company.
5. One day, two German children named Siegfried and Gudrun arrive at the inn with their parents.
6. At first, the new children join Anna, Max, and the Zwirn children in their games, and everyone gets along well.
7. During a lively game of chase, Anna accidentally bumps into the German children’s mother.
8. The German lady reacts harshly and angrily, pulling her children away from the group.
9. Anna becomes confused and thinks the woman might simply believe she is badly behaved or poorly mannered.
10. Later that afternoon, Anna notices the German lady struggling with heavy parcels and kindly opens the inn door for her.
11. Instead of appreciating Anna’s help, the woman rudely pushes past her with a cold expression.
12. The next morning, Anna and Max try to join the other children again, but they are stopped.
13. Siegfried and Gudrun explain awkwardly that their mother has forbidden them from playing with Anna and Max.
14. Although the German children seem uncomfortable about the situation, they obey their mother’s orders.
15. Anna and Max feel deeply hurt, rejected, and isolated after being left behind.
16. They cannot understand why they are suddenly being treated differently.
17. Disturbed by the incident, they speak to their parents about what happened.
18. Their mother confronts the German woman in the dining hall, leading to a heated argument.
19. Through this argument, Anna and Max finally learn the real reason behind the rejection: the German woman dislikes them because they are Jewish.
20. The incident shocks and saddens the entire family because they realise that even after escaping Germany, they cannot escape prejudice completely.
21. Anna’s father then speaks calmly with Herr Zwirn, the owner of the inn.
22. Instead of forcing neutrality, he asks Herr Zwirn to allow his children to choose for themselves whom they want to be friends with.
23. This moment highlights the importance of taking a moral stand rather than remaining neutral during injustice.
24. Anna and Max spend a lonely and miserable afternoon feeling abandoned and upset.
25. Later, they are pleasantly surprised when Vreneli and Franz come to join them by the lake.
26. By choosing Anna and Max over the German children, the Zwirn children show courage, empathy, and loyalty.
27. Their decision proves that true friendship is stronger than prejudice and social pressure.
28. The following morning, the German family leaves the inn.
29. Even though Anna and Max feel relieved, they are not entirely happy.
30. Anna senses that Siegfried genuinely wanted to remain friends but was unable to go against his mother’s beliefs.
31. Before leaving, Siegfried avoids looking at Anna and Max in the dining room, showing his discomfort and inner conflict.
32. Anna wonders what kind of person he will grow up to become if he continues to be influenced by such hateful ideas.
33. The story ends on a bittersweet note, reminding readers how dangerous prejudice and indoctrination can be.
34. It also highlights the importance of friendship, empathy, tolerance, and standing up against injustice.

Question and Answers (Only For Reading and Discussion)