Study Guide: "In the Attic" by Władysław Szpilman
While We Read Questions
a. What was the officer's attitude to Szpilman?
The German officer's attitude toward Szpilman was surprisingly compassionate and respectful. Initially, he reassured Szpilman by saying "I've no intention of doing anything to you!" He showed genuine interest in Szpilman as a person by asking about his profession. The officer was protective, offering to hide Szpilman if anyone came while he played piano. His attitude was one of understanding and humanity, completely contrary to what one would expect from a Nazi officer during WWII.
b. Why do you think the officer asked Szpilman to play the piano?
The officer likely asked Szpilman to play the piano for several reasons:
- To verify Szpilman's claim of being a pianist
- To experience something beautiful and civilized amidst the horror of war
- To connect with his own humanity through music
- Music may have reminded him of peacetime and normal life
- It could have been a test of trust between them
c. Why was Szpilman hesitant to play the piano?
Szpilman was hesitant because:
- He feared it was a trap or trick by the German officer
- He hadn't practiced for two and a half years, making him self-conscious about his ability
- His fingers were stiff, dirty, and his nails were uncut
- Playing piano might attract unwanted attention from other German soldiers
- He was terrified and suspicious of the officer's true intentions
d. How does the officer help Szpilman?
The German officer helped Szpilman in multiple ways:
- Found him a better hiding place in the loft above the attic entrance
- Brought him food regularly (bread and jam)
- Provided him with a warm eiderdown (quilt) to survive the cold
- Gave him a German military overcoat to keep warm
- Offered emotional support and hope by telling him the war would end soon
- Protected his secret and never betrayed his location
e. What was the officer ashamed of?
The officer was ashamed of being German because of the horrific crimes his country was committing during the war. When Szpilman asked if he was German, the officer "almost shouted his answer in agitation" and said he was "ashamed of it, after everything that's been happening." He was ashamed of the Holocaust, the mass murder of Jews, and the destruction caused by Nazi Germany.
f. "Just hang on a few more weeks—the war will be over by spring at the latest." What is surprising about this statement?
This statement is surprising because:
- It came from a German officer who was giving hope to a Jewish person
- It showed the officer had inside knowledge about Germany's losing position in the war
- It demonstrated his genuine care for Szpilman's survival
- It revealed his confidence that Germany would be defeated
- A Nazi officer was essentially encouraging someone the Nazi regime wanted to eliminate
g. What does the conversation between the officer and Szpilman reveal about the bond between them?
Their conversation reveals:
- A bond built on mutual respect and humanity
- Trust that transcended racial and national divisions
- Shared hope for survival and peace
- The officer's genuine concern for Szpilman's wellbeing
- A relationship that defied the expected roles of oppressor and victim
- Their connection through music created a bridge between their different worlds
h. Why was there less artillery fire after a few weeks?
There was less artillery fire because:
- The German army was retreating and losing ground
- The war was nearing its end as Allied forces advanced
- The German military was becoming weaker and had fewer resources
- The front line was moving away from their area
- The Germans were preparing to withdraw from Warsaw
i. Why does Szpilman say that his hiding place was well chosen?
Szpilman's hiding place was well chosen because:
- It was in a loft directly above the attic entrance that was hard to notice
- Even with soldiers frequently going up and down the stairs
- No one ever thought to search the loft
- It was concealed and provided good camouflage
- The location allowed him to remain undetected throughout the German occupation
j. What do you think of Szpilman's advice to the German officer?
Szpilman's advice was touching and showed:
- His gratitude and desire to repay the officer's kindness
- His optimism about surviving and resuming his career
- His faith in human goodness and reciprocity
- A generous spirit despite his suffering
- His belief in the power of personal connections across enemy lines
- Though naive, it demonstrated his hope for a better future
k. What sounds did Szpilman hear from the attic?
From the attic, Szpilman heard:
- Artillery fire (which gradually decreased)
- Soldiers' footsteps on the stairs
- The squeaking and rustling of rats and mice
- Agitated, nervous voices during the German retreat
- Radio loudspeakers announcing Germany's defeat
- Women's and children's voices when liberation came
l. Why does Szpilman say that he had to be alone if he wanted to live?
Szpilman had to be alone because:
- Any human contact increased the risk of being discovered
- Other people might betray him, intentionally or accidentally
- Groups were easier to detect than individuals
- He needed to minimize any activity that might draw attention
- Loneliness was the price of survival in his dangerous situation
- Being with others would have compromised his hiding place
m. What were the radio announcements about?
The radio announcements were about:
- The defeat of Germany
- The liberation of Warsaw
- The end of Nazi occupation
- Victory for the Allied forces
- Freedom for the Polish people
n. How does Szpilman survive the freezing cold?
Szpilman survived the freezing cold with:
- The warm eiderdown (quilt) that the German officer brought him
- The German military overcoat left by the officer
- His hiding place in the loft which provided some shelter
- His determination to survive until liberation
o. What information did Szpilman hope to gather?
Szpilman hoped to gather information about:
- Whether the city was truly liberated
- If it was safe to come out of hiding
- The identity of the soldiers he heard
- Whether the Germans had really withdrawn
- The current situation in Warsaw
p. Why does the woman cry out when she sees Szpilman?
The woman cried out "A German!" because:
- Szpilman was wearing a German military overcoat
- He looked disheveled and suspicious after years in hiding
- She feared he was a German soldier in hiding
- The overcoat made him appear to be the enemy
- She was frightened and reacted instinctively to what seemed like danger
q. What is the absurd situation Szpilman found himself in?
The absurd situation was that:
- After surviving years of Nazi persecution
- He was about to be killed by Polish soldiers - his own countrymen
- This would happen just as Warsaw was liberated
- He would die at the moment of freedom
- The German coat meant to protect him from cold nearly caused his death
- He faced death from liberators rather than oppressors
Main Questions (End of Chapter)
1. Why does the German officer help Szpilman and save his life?
The German officer helped Szpilman because he retained his humanity despite the inhumane context of war. Music served as a catalyst - when Szpilman played Chopin's Nocturne, it reminded the officer of civilization, beauty, and human dignity. The officer was ashamed of his country's actions and saw helping Szpilman as a way to assert his own moral values. His actions demonstrated that individual conscience could transcend national ideology and racial hatred.
2. How does Szpilman maintain hope in extreme hardship and danger?
Szpilman maintained hope through:
- His survival instinct and determination to live
- The kindness of the German officer, which proved humanity still existed
- His identity as a musician, which gave him purpose
- His plan to return to Polish Radio after the war
- Small acts of planning for the future (like giving his name to the officer)
- His ability to endure loneliness and physical hardship
- Faith that the war would eventually end
3. Why was Szpilman afraid of being killed by Polish soldiers, his own countrymen?
Szpilman feared being killed by Polish soldiers because:
- He was wearing a German military overcoat, making him appear to be an enemy
- The soldiers would shoot first and ask questions later in a war situation
- His appearance after years in hiding made him look suspicious
- The irony would be tragic - surviving Nazi persecution only to be killed by liberators
- Mistaken identity could cost him his life at the moment of freedom
- Polish soldiers had every reason to be hostile to anyone appearing German
4. How do luck, chance and human kindness help Szpilman to survive?
Several factors contributed to Szpilman's survival:
- Luck: Finding a good hiding place, the officer discovering him instead of other soldiers
- Chance: The officer happening to be someone who retained his humanity
- Human kindness: The officer's continued help with food, shelter, and emotional support
- Timing: The war ending when it did, before he starved or froze
- Music: His piano skills created the connection that saved his life
- Quick thinking: His ability to convince Polish soldiers of his identity
5. Was it risky for the German officer to help Szpilman? Why?
Yes, it was extremely risky because:
- Helping a Jew was a serious crime punishable by death under Nazi law
- He could have been court-martialed and executed
- His career and life would have been destroyed if discovered
- He was betraying his military oath and Nazi ideology
- Other German soldiers could have reported him
- He continued this risk over months by bringing food and supplies
- His actions constituted treason against the Nazi regime
6. Why is Szpilman's memoir classified as 'survivor testimony'? How does 'survivor testimony' enrich history and literature?
Szpilman's memoir is classified as 'survivor testimony' because:
- It's a first-hand account of Holocaust survival
- It provides authentic, lived experience of historical events
- It offers personal perspective on documented historical facts
Survivor testimony enriches history and literature by:
- Providing human faces to historical statistics
- Offering emotional truth alongside factual accounts
- Preserving individual experiences for future generations
- Challenging simplified narratives of good versus evil
- Showing the complexity of human behavior in extreme circumstances
- Creating empathy and understanding across time and cultures
- Serving as primary source material for historians
- Inspiring hope through stories of human resilience
7. What does 'en masse' mean in this context?
'En masse' means "in large numbers" or "all together as a group." In the context of the text, it refers to how Jews were killed in large groups in the gas chambers, rather than individually. It emphasizes the industrial, systematic nature of the Holocaust.
8. Does 'en masse' remind you of a similar phrase from Class 9?
Students should recall phrases like "en route" (on the way) or other French expressions used in English. These are borrowed phrases that have become part of English vocabulary.
9. How are these expressions different from other commonly used phrases in English?
These expressions (like 'en masse', 'en route') are different because:
- They are borrowed directly from French
- They retain their original foreign spelling and pronunciation
- They are used as complete units rather than being translated
- They often express concepts more precisely than English equivalents
- They add sophistication and precision to expression
- They represent cultural borrowing in language
- They are examples of how English incorporates foreign phrases when they serve specific communicative needs
Key Themes
- Humanity in inhumanity: The German officer's kindness amid genocide
- Survival against odds: Physical and psychological endurance
- Music as universal language: Transcending barriers of war and hatred
- Individual moral choice: Personal responsibility in historical circumstances
- Hope and despair: The balance between giving up and holding on
- Identity and belonging: Questions of nationality, ethnicity, and humanity