The Hiding Place By Corrie ten boom

Background Information Autobiography – non-fiction Holocaust literature. Included with such classics as: Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, and Eli Wiesel's Night. Published in 1971. The book recounts Corrie Ten Boom's experience before, during, and after WWII. Holland fell to the Germans in 1940 when Nazi troops began to occupy the country. Treatment of the Jewish populations became increasingly more oppressive. Restrictions against Jews are enacted, and after a year, the Germans intent toward them are beyond abominable.

Corrie ten Boom Interview Corrie Ten Boom Website

Corrie’s Words “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” --Corrie ten Boom

Corrie’s Books

Family Photos and Early Life Betsie, Nollie, Papa, Willem, Mama and Corrie Caspar ten Boom Betsie, Nollie, and Corrie

The Ten Boom Family The Ten Boom family lived in the Dutch city of Haarlem. Established and well-respected family Operated a watch shop for 100 years. Casper Ten Boom Was the dominant member of the family (family patriarch) Casper was a faith filled man with and extreme sense of Christian charity Well-respected in the community - he was called "Haarlem's Grand Old Man." Corrie Ten Boom Casper Ten Boom's daughter She became the first licensed woman watch maker Corrie was a prominent member of "The Dutch Underground"

Additional Historical Details Guided by religious faith the Ten Boom family (Casper, Corrie, and Betsie) talked about how they would help their Jewish friends. Corrie's brother Willem helped to find hiding places for various Jews and their families. Casper, Corrie, and Betsie opened the doors of their home "to any man who knocked." Thus the "hiding place" was constructed As conditions in Haarlem and the country continued to deteriorate food shortages occurred. Ration cards were distributed and Jewish families struggled to survive.

Additional Historical Details Corrie worked with a civil servant who was in charge of a local ration-card office to obtain illegal ration cards in order to distribute them to Jews. These ration cards also helped to feed the friends in "the hiding place." From 1943 – 1944 there were usually 6-7 people living in the house illegally. The house became known as the "Beje" and the occupants became known as the "Beje Group." The Ten Boom family and their friends saved about 800 Jews and protected Dutch underground workers. In February 1994, Jan Vogel told the Nazis about the Ten Booms' work. The entire Ten Boom family was arrested. Casper Ten Boom died 10 days after his arrest. He was laid to rest in an unmarked grave.

Additional Historical Details Corrie's brothers Willem and Peter were released The six people hiding in "the hiding place" remained safe. Corrie and Betsie were sent to Scheveningen prison, and then to Herzogenbush politcal Concentration Camp, and then to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp (a woman's labor camp in Germany, where Bestie died just a few weeks before her release). During their time in prison – Corrie and Betsie held worship services using the Bible they had managed to sneak into the camp.

Additional Historical Details After the war Corrie returned to the Netherlands and establish a rehabilitation center. She traveled the world speaking and spent time writing books. The family members were devoted Christians who dedicated their lives to helping their fellow man. Their home was an open door for any one in need. They are celebrated for their non-violent resistance against the Nazi oppressors. This was the Ten Boom's way of living out their Christian life.

Themes The Horror of the Holocaust (war and oppression) The entire story is due to the Ten Booms' unwavering dedication to fail and God's will for them. Their response to the horrific event is unquestioned: they opened their doors to Jewish victims of Nazi persecution. They sought God's help in bearing their burdens and strove to overcome their human tendencies towards bitterness and anger in order to forgive the Nazis for their most heinous of crimes just as their savior would do.

Themes Forgiveness Throughout Corrie's life she continuously strove to allow herself to give and receive forgiveness. She finds forgiveness difficult especially after suffering in prison. Example: She struggles to shake a former guard's hand, but once she does a burden is lifted and she finds healing. Metaphor Cleaning and Washing Cleaning and washing is used to make the point that forgiveness renews the individual.

Themes Prison and its Effect on Individuals Physical/Mental prisons Corrie's mother tells her that happiness comes from inside an individual rather than externally. Corrie survives the mental trauma of solitary confinement and the physical conditions of Ravensbruck Mental prison of self-need in prison Mental prison of haunting memories

Themes Friendship in Adversity Friendship between sisters – Corrie / Betsie The sisters have an unbreakable bond. Example: The sisters meet after being separated at Schevenigen Prison: they weep together out of gratitude for their reunion.

Symbols Blue Sweater Represents the ties of friendship between sisters, which last physically until Betsie dies. The sweater grows dirty and lice-ridden, it stands for the warmth and loyalty the sisters feel for each other.

Symbols The Hiding Place The hiding place creates the imagery of safety in distress. Pslams 119:114, "Thou art my shield and my hiding place." Emotional and spiritual hiding places Physical – the room Emotional – the Ten Boom family's faith

Symbols Nationalism vs. Patriotism Germans – disrespected elderly, ethnic, and political minorities and weakness of any kind. Hitler – encouraged complete devotion to the state and reverence for power and strength. Peter Ten Boom – faces imprisonment for playing the Holland national anthem.