The Reader Deconstruction

1. The Reader Deconstruction Part 3: Chapter 5-10 Frau Spratt & Herr Youie

2. Plot Hanna is in prison, Michael is making in making contact with her (reading via tapes) Five years later, she starts replies through letters, signifying her literacy and commitment to development. Revelation that Hanna is going to be released in a year. Result looks positive in preparing for her release; Michael organizes an apartment, clothes and job for Hanna. The two meet in prison a week prior and she is old, smells different, and had put on weight. Never the less, the two discuss the future. The night before Hanna’s relapse, she commits suicide. Michael meets the Governor, who reveals a will sort of letter which addresses Michael in that he needs to send the remaining money to the surviving church fire victim. There are a lot of unanswered questions whom neither Michael or the Governor can answer. Hanna ‘s young face is seen through the old by Michael.

3. Underpinning content Hanna and Michael are reconnecting with their old selves, rebuilding on their past relationship. They are going back to base of relationship, through reading. It is worth noting that Michael’s development is seen as he is no longer reading for sex, just the commitment and dedication in the relationship.

4. Plot Symbolism • We believe that this segment of the story represents: • A problem being solved rather than ignored. • A recovery • The new generation of Germans starting to understand the past • Acceptance of the troubled past in an attempt to move forward • Therefore Germany recognized and accepts the history, and is moving on politically. • Learning to read represents an understanding of the past conflicts and political coup

5. Character • Hanna • Learning to read/write • Wanted to be punished, accepting fate. • Lived a normal life, a good person, helping others • Was respected, friendly and a mother figure (juxtaposing her relationship with Michael) • Gave up because she was living too good of a life which was still too sociable. • Remorseful • In her death, she was described by Michael as appearing neither peaceful nor agonized.

6. Character • Michael • Still compassionate and caring. • Wanting to rebuild relationship. • She has changed physically in Michael’s eyes, but he still reminisces and sees what he saw in his youth. •  Not reading for sex, just the commitment and dedication.

7. Setting • Chapter 5-7 is presumed to be in Michael’s home. • Chapter 8 is set in the prison courtyard. • Sensory imagery of smell is employed • “Building was new and bright” p.193 • “Lots of trees and benches” p.193 • “Shade of a chestnut tree” p.193 • These quotes all create an image of the prison courtyard as comforting and welcoming, like a park. • This foreshadows Hanna’s reasoning for committing suicide, which is revealed to readers further in the book.

8. Setting • Chapter 9 is presumed to be set in Hanna’s future apartment while Michael furnishes it. • Chapter 10 is the inner-prison system • The reader gets a detailed description of Hanna’s cell • “The shelf held books, an alarm clock, a stuffed bear, two mugs, instant coffee, tea caddies, the cassette machine, and on two lower shelves, the cassettes I had made” p.202 • “Above the bed hung many small pictures and slips of paper…quotations, poems, little articles, even recipes that Hanna had written down or cut out like pictures from newspapers and magazines…the poems were all full of delight in nature…pictures showed woods bright with spring, meadows splattered with flowers, autumn foliage and single trees, a pasture by a stream, a cherry tree with ripe red cherries, and autumnal chestnut flamed in yellow and orange.” p.203 • These quotes describe Hanna’s living space which signify what she yearned for. • The sit-down strike which “Hanna held…until cuts in library funding were revoked” p.202 illustrates Hanna’s dedication to reading

9. Setting • Chapter 10 • Michael describes Hanna’s face as “neither particularly peaceful nor particularly agonized. It looked rigid and dead. As I looked and looked, the living face became visible in the dead, the young in the old. This is what must happen to old married couples I thought” p.207 • This exemplified Michael’s commitment to the relationship.

10. Theme • Symbolism of Germany moving forward • Hanna is learning to read and be educated. • Could link towards Hanna (Germany) learning about the past. • Guilt of Hanna • Feeling bad to getting off too lightly; not punished enough. • Represents the younger generation. • Similar to the theme of blame. • Juxtaposes the apparent lack of guilt she felt earlier. • Michael also feels guilt for not loving her anymore.

11. Style • Reflection with hints of present. • Reflecting on smell memory. • Indirect question from the Governor, "Can the world become so unbearable to someone after years of loneliness? Is it better to kill yourself than to return to the world from the convent?" p.206 • Makes readers think about it. • Not describing it as a prison. • Religious place of reflection • Language is personal at the start.

12. Tone Cold Morbid Poignant Sympathize Wistful