The Storyteller
Chapter 2: Sage 2
by Picoult, JodiThe chapter opens with the narrator examining a photograph of Josef, a former Nazi soldier, laughing confidently in his SS uniform. The image contrasts sharply with the man now standing before them—someone who claims to have suffered immense loss. Josef reveals his past as part of the SS-Totenkopfverbände, a unit notorious for its brutality, and confesses to horrific acts. The narrator, though not identifying as Jewish, feels a visceral disgust and personal betrayal, struggling to reconcile the jovial chess partner they knew with the war criminal in the photo. Josef pleads for the narrator’s help in ending his life, framing it as divine justice for his sins.
The narrator grapples with conflicting emotions—anger, disbelief, and a moral obligation to act. Josef’s request feels like a twisted attempt at redemption, equating his death with karmic balance for his crimes. The narrator refuses outright but is haunted by the ethical dilemma: should they report Josef’s confession, even decades after the fact? The chapter delves into the psychological tension between logic and emotion, as the narrator questions how Josef could have hidden in plain sight for so long, surrounded by a community unaware of his past. The juxtaposition of Josef’s current frail existence and his youthful arrogance in the photo underscores the chapter’s central theme of hidden monstrosity.
Meanwhile, the bakery where the narrator works becomes a site of unexpected chaos as news spreads of a “Jesus Loaf,” a bread supposedly imbued with miraculous healing powers. The narrator is skeptical, viewing the frenzy as desperate hope rather than divine intervention. This subplot mirrors their internal conflict about faith and justice, as they ponder whether religion can offer solace to those who have suffered profoundly, like the victims of Josef’s actions. The narrator’s exhaustion and cynicism contrast with Mary’s unwavering belief, highlighting the tension between skepticism and blind faith.
The chapter concludes with the narrator seeking solace in visiting Adam, their partner, while still wrestling with Josef’s revelation. The encounter with Josef has left them unsettled, questioning how to reconcile his past with their personal history. The narrator’s decision to distance themselves from the bakery reflects their need for space to process the moral weight of Josef’s confession. The chapter ends on a note of unresolved tension, leaving the reader to ponder the complexities of guilt, justice, and the lingering scars of history.
FAQs
1. How does the narrator react to Josef’s confession of being a former SS officer, and what internal conflict does this reveal?
Answer:
The narrator experiences a visceral reaction of disgust and offense upon seeing Josef’s photograph in an SS uniform and hearing his confession. This triggers an internal conflict about identity—while the narrator hasn’t identified as Jewish in years, they feel personally connected to the suffering of Jews during the Holocaust. The narrator also grapples with moral outrage at Josef’s assumption that “one Jew is interchangeable for another.” This moment reveals the tension between logic (questioning Josef’s motives) and emotion (the urge for retribution), as well as the narrator’s struggle to reconcile Josef’s past atrocities with their personal relationship with him.2. Analyze the significance of Josef’s request for the narrator to kill him. What does this reveal about his psychological state and his view of justice?
Answer:
Josef’s request reflects a distorted sense of atonement and a self-perception as a “monster” who deserves punishment. He believes his prolonged life is divine punishment, forcing him to experience the helplessness his victims felt. His plea reveals a warped view of biblical justice—”an eye for an eye”—where only a Jew killing him would balance the scales. This demonstrates both guilt and narcissism: he centers himself in a narrative of redemption while ignoring the actual wishes of Holocaust victims. His delusional comparison to a “vampire” trapped by his sins further shows how he romanticizes his culpability.3. How does the “Jesus Loaf” subplot contrast with the narrator’s confrontation with Josef? What thematic connections can be drawn?
Answer:
The “Jesus Loaf” phenomenon—where people seek healing from a supposedly miraculous bread—parallels themes of belief, desperation, and the human need for meaning. While the crowd clings to blind faith in the loaf, the narrator critically questions Josef’s motives and the nature of justice. Both situations explore how people interpret suffering: Mary argues the loaf offers “hope,” much like Josef’s twisted belief in sacrificial redemption. The narrator’s skepticism (“What if it’s just gluten?”) mirrors their refusal to accept Josef’s self-serving narrative, highlighting the tension between truth and comforting illusions.4. Why does the narrator mention the John Demjanjuk case, and how does this historical reference deepen the ethical dilemma?
Answer:
The reference to John Demjanjuk—a real-life Nazi war criminal prosecuted decades after WWII—grounds Josef’s confession in historical reality. It raises practical questions: Should aged perpetrators still face justice? Who holds accountability? This complicates the narrator’s dilemma, as they realize Josef’s truthfulness would make them an “unwitting part of history.” The case also underscores the theme of hidden identities; like Demjanjuk, Josef lived “in plain sight,” forcing the narrator to confront how society reconciles with atrocities when perpetrators blend into communities.5. Evaluate the narrator’s decision to ask Josef for details about his crimes before making a choice. Is this a morally justifiable approach? Why or why not?
Answer:
The narrator’s request for details is a tactical delay, allowing time to process the emotional shock and verify Josef’s claims. While it risks appearing complicit, it reflects moral prudence—rushing to judgment (or violence) without evidence would mirror Josef’s own destructive ideology. However, demanding a “confession” could retraumatize the narrator and inadvertently gratify Josef’s desire for attention. The approach is justifiable if the goal is truth-seeking (e.g., reporting to authorities), but questionable if it prolongs Josef’s manipulation. The chapter leaves this tension unresolved, emphasizing the complexity of justice.
Quotes
1. “This is not the face of someone ambivalent about his role. This is someone who enjoyed what he was doing.”
This quote captures the narrator’s visceral reaction to seeing Josef’s photograph as a young SS officer, highlighting the moral horror of recognizing genuine enthusiasm for violence in someone they once trusted. It sets up the central tension of the chapter—reckoning with Josef’s past.
2. “You lie to convince people you are not a monster … not that you are one.”
A profound insight into the psychology of confession, this quote reflects the narrator’s skepticism about Josef’s motives for revealing his Nazi past. It raises questions about truth, guilt, and the nature of monstrousness that permeate the chapter.
3. “They prayed for their lives but had no control over them; I pray for my death but have no control over it. This is why I want you to help me.”
Josef’s chilling justification for requesting assisted suicide encapsulates his twisted sense of atonement—equating his current suffering with that of his victims. This represents a key moral dilemma in the chapter about justice and redemption.
4. “When you are singled out for torture because of your faith, can religion still be a beacon?”
This rhetorical question reflects the narrator’s broader crisis of faith, contrasting with Mary’s simple devotion to the “Jesus Loaf” miracle. It ties the personal conflict about Josef to larger philosophical questions about suffering and belief.
5. “If Josef is lying, I need to know why. But if Josef is telling the truth, then I have unwittingly just become a part of history.”
This pivotal realization marks the narrator’s transition from shock to action, capturing the weight of confronting living history. It underscores the chapter’s exploration of moral responsibility across generations.