504 Results in the "Historical Fiction" category


    • Chapter 37: Dat Old Golden Rule … Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 37 of Mother Night, the protagonist finds himself drawn back to Jones’ cellar, recognizing it as the only place where he feels a sense of belonging, despite the disturbing reality of his companions. Resi, Father Keeley, and the Black Fuehrer are present, and their interactions have a casual, almost indifferent tone as they play cards. The atmosphere in the cellar is nonchalant, a stark contrast to the tension that the protagonist feels within himself. The Iron Guard, who are conducting a class…
    • Chapter 38: Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life … Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 38 of Mother Night, the protagonist reflects on a profoundly emotional moment shared with Resi Noth, a young woman who finds herself facing the heartbreaking reality of an impending deportation. This conversation takes place in the dim basement of Reverend Lionel J. D. Jones, D.D.S., D.D., where the protagonist and Resi discuss the heavy weight of their respective circumstances. Resi's despair is strikingly evident as she contemplates ending her life, despite her previously vibrant nature. Her…
    • Chapter 33: Communism Rears Its Head … Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 33 of Mother Night, the protagonist recalls his third and final meeting with Colonel Frank Wirtanen, whom he refers to as his Blue Fairy Godmother. The meeting takes place in a desolate, dimly lit shop across from Jones' house, where the protagonist, along with Resi and George Kraft, has been hiding. As he approaches the shop, the protagonist is filled with hesitation and a sense of dread, anticipating the many potential threats that could be lurking nearby, from American Legion members to…
    • Chapter 34: Alles Kaput … Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 34 of Mother Night, the protagonist, seated on a packing case, reflects on how a few words have completely altered the course of his life, leaving him much poorer and more vulnerable than before. With a sense of resignation, he mutters "alles kaput," signifying his belief that everything is now lost. This weighty realization speaks to the loss of personal agency and identity, feelings exacerbated by the shocking turn his life has taken. Wirtanen, sensing the narrator's dismay, tries to comfort…
    • Chapter 35: Forty Rubles Extra … Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 35 of Mother Night, Campbell finds himself confronted by Wirtanen, who reveals the deep layers of deception surrounding his relationship with Helga. Wirtanen explains that Helga's true mission was to make Campbell fall in love with her, a revelation that stirs complex emotions in Campbell. He bitterly acknowledges the manipulation behind their connection, realizing that his love for her was never genuine but part of a larger plan orchestrated by external forces. This moment brings up further…
    • Chapter 30: Don Quixote … Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 30 of Mother Night, the protagonist, alongside Kraft and Resi, prepares for a critical escape to Mexico City. Dr. Jones plays a pivotal role, not only arranging transportation for the group but also organizing a reception upon their arrival in the city. This gesture signifies his unwavering support for their departure, cementing his involvement in their plans. The protagonist feels a sense of anticipation, especially at the prospect of returning to his writing. His excitement is palpable,…
    • Chapter 31: “His Truth Goes Marching On …” Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 31 of Mother Night, the protagonist reflects on a crucial gathering in the basement of Dr. Jones’ house, where a group called the Iron Guard of the White Sons of the American Constitution meets. The group consists of twenty young men, all blonde and tall, each of them wearing suits with a gold ribbon threaded through a buttonhole on their right lapels. This unique marker allows the group members to identify one another discreetly, creating an unspoken bond between them. Dr. Jones points out…
    • Chapter 32: Rosenfeld … Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 32 of Mother Night, the protagonist reflects on a crucial meeting with Colonel Frank Wirtanen. His lawyer, Mr. Alvin Dobrowitz, believes that finding a witness who can confirm the meeting between Wirtanen and the protagonist could potentially alter the course of the trial in his favor. Their initial interactions occurred across three significant moments, with the first one taking place on a park bench before the war. Though those who passed by would have considered the meeting ordinary, its true…
    • Chapter 27: Finders Keepers … Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 27 of Mother Night, the protagonist reflects on the tragic and unsettling death of Lazlo Szombathy, a man who, using a rope meant for the protagonist, took his own life. Szombathy had been a Hungarian Freedom Fighter and was deeply troubled by the fact that, despite his history of violence and his past in Hungary, he was unable to practice as a veterinarian in America. His bitterness about the disparity between the freedom he was promised and his experiences in the United States is painfully…
    • Chapter 28: Target … Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 28 of Mother Night, the protagonist finds himself in the basement of Dr. Jones' home, where George Kraft is absorbed in a strange exercise—shooting at a target designed to resemble a caricature of a cigar-smoking Jew. The target, which the protagonist himself had created back in 1941, is disturbing in its portrayal, showing the figure standing on broken crosses while holding symbols of greed and dishonesty. The protagonist is taken aback by the sheer crudeness of the image and reflects on how…
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