The Storyteller
Chapter 10: eo 2
by Picoult, JodiIn this chapter, Leo, a federal agent, meets Sage Singer, a young woman who has reported a potential Nazi named Josef Weber. Leo quickly assesses Sage as credible, noting her sincerity and the emotional weight of her facial scar, which makes her self-conscious. He reflects on his own childhood struggles with appearance, drawing parallels to Sage’s insecurities. Unlike previous informants—elderly Jews haunted by past trauma—Sage is younger and seems truthful. Leo learns that Sage’s grandmother is a Holocaust survivor, though she has never discussed her experiences, raising questions about whether her testimony could reliably identify Weber as a former Nazi officer.
Leo explains the legal limitations of prosecuting Nazis in the U.S., as the crimes occurred overseas and predate relevant laws. The best outcome would be deportation, but even that is rare due to Europe’s reluctance to prosecute. Sage expresses frustration, questioning the point of their efforts, but Leo emphasizes the importance of providing her grandmother with closure. Sage agrees to take Leo to meet her grandmother, though she warns him not to push her too hard. Leo reassures her, promising to handle the situation delicately.
The chapter reveals that Leo’s file on Reiner Hartmann—the suspected identity of Josef Weber—contains details only Hartmann or his close associates would know. Sage hasn’t mentioned these specifics, leaving Leo uncertain whether Weber is truly Hartmann or an imposter. As they drive to Boston, their conversation shifts to Sage’s moral dilemma: she feels conflicted about Weber, torn between seeing him as a frail old man and a potential war criminal. Leo challenges her, arguing that Weber’s delayed confession doesn’t absolve him of his past actions.
Their discussion touches on broader themes of morality, forgiveness, and identity. Sage, who isn’t Jewish, rejects the idea that morality is tied to religion, while Leo probes her connection to Weber. He suspects Weber targeted Sage because of her Jewish heritage, reducing her to a symbol rather than an individual. Sage’s silence when questioned about her friendship with Weber hints at her inner turmoil. The chapter ends with Leo’s unresolved skepticism and Sage’s emotional conflict, setting the stage for their meeting with her grandmother.
FAQs
1. What is Leo’s primary concern when meeting informants about potential Nazis, and how does he assess Sage Singer in this regard?
Answer:
Leo’s main concern is determining whether the informant is credible and mentally balanced, rather than acting out of paranoia, personal grudges, or instability. He quickly assesses Sage Singer as trustworthy because she has no apparent motive to frame Josef Weber—she gains nothing from turning him in. Additionally, her sensitivity about her facial scar and her genuine distress over the situation further convince Leo of her sincerity. This contrasts with previous informants, who were elderly Jews haunted by traumatic memories, none of whom provided accurate leads.2. Why is Sage’s grandmother’s potential identification of Josef Weber as Reiner Hartmann both promising and problematic for Leo’s investigation?
Answer:
If Sage’s grandmother can identify Josef Weber as Reiner Hartmann, it would directly link the suspect to Auschwitz-Birkenau, strengthening the case. However, Leo worries that if Sage has already discussed Weber with her grandmother, any testimony could be prejudiced and legally inadmissible. The grandmother’s silence about her Holocaust experiences complicates matters, as Leo must tread carefully to avoid retraumatizing her while still seeking the truth. This delicate balance highlights the ethical challenges of prosecuting historical crimes.3. What legal limitations does Leo face in prosecuting Josef Weber, and how does this impact the purpose of his investigation?
Answer:
The U.S. lacks criminal jurisdiction over Nazis for crimes committed abroad before extraterritorial laws were established. The 2007 Genocide Statute amendment expanded coverage but still limits prosecution. Leo’s team can only pursue immigration charges to deport Weber, but European countries rarely cooperate in prosecuting such cases. Despite this, Leo argues that the investigation is morally justified to provide Sage’s grandmother—and other survivors—with closure and peace of mind, even if legal consequences are unlikely.4. How does Leo’s personal experience with insecurity (his childhood acne) shape his understanding of Sage’s self-perception?
Answer:
Leo recalls being bullied for his severe acne as a teenager, which left him with lingering self-doubt despite his professional success. This empathy helps him recognize that Sage’s scar likely distorts her self-image, making her unaware of her attractiveness. His reflection on “judging a book by its cover” underscores his professional ethos: uncovering truth beneath appearances. This shared vulnerability fosters a connection between them, reinforcing his trust in her motives.5. Analyze the tension between Sage’s moral conflict (forgiving Josef Weber) and Leo’s stance on accountability. How does this debate reflect broader themes in the chapter?
Answer:
Sage wrestles with pity for Weber as an elderly man, while Leo insists that age doesn’t absolve historical atrocities. Their debate raises questions about redemption, justice, and whether people can fundamentally change. Leo argues Weber’s delayed confession suggests guilt, not growth, while Sage’s hesitation humanizes the moral complexity of forgiveness. This tension mirrors the chapter’s exploration of trauma, identity, and the limits of legal and personal reconciliation in the shadow of genocide.
Quotes
1. “When I was thirteen I had the worst case of acne—I swear my pimples gave birth to smaller pimples… My mother told me that when I was older, I’d teach people to never judge a book by its cover, and that’s pretty much exactly what my job entails.”
This introspective moment from Leo reveals how personal experiences shape his professional approach to judging character. It underscores the chapter’s theme of perception versus reality, particularly in relation to Sage’s facial scar and self-image.
2. “I don’t know that there’s anything normal about being a survivor… Some feel that because they lived, it’s their responsibility to tell the world what happened… Others believe that the only way to go on with the rest of their lives is to act as if it never happened.”
This insightful observation about Holocaust survivors captures the central moral dilemma of the chapter. It explains the grandmother’s silence while highlighting the complex psychological aftermath of trauma.
3. “We’re doing all this because your grandmother made her home in the United States, and we owe her peace of mind.”
This powerful statement defines Leo’s moral motivation for pursuing Nazi war criminals. It shifts the focus from legal technicalities to human responsibility, representing a key turning point in his conversation with Sage.
4. “Morality has nothing to do with religion… You can do the right thing and not believe in God at all.”
Sage’s declaration challenges assumptions about ethical motivation and introduces the novel’s exploration of secular morality. This philosophical exchange marks a significant development in her character’s perspective.
5. “I do think some stains never wash out.”
Leo’s concise metaphor about moral accountability encapsulates the chapter’s central conflict regarding forgiveness for historical atrocities. This impactful statement resonates through their entire debate about Josef Weber’s potential guilt.