An Elephant in the Garden

Explain how Lizzie’s character arc develops the novel’s coming-of-age theme. Describe Lizzie’s childhood before the war and how the war changes it. How does she grow into an adult during the war? Include details from the text in your essay.

Lizzie says that Karl, her nurse’s nine-year-old son, reminds her of Karli, Lizzie’s little brother. Compare Karl and Karli; what personality and character traits do they have in common? Include some examples from the text that illustrate how Karl and Karli are alike as their characters develop.

How do Marlene (an elephant) and Peter Kamm (an enemy soldier) become members of Mutti’s family? What holds all the members of her family together? Explain how the meaning of family, a major theme in the novel, develops through the characters of Marlene and Peter.

Lizzie’s story depicts the terrible consequences of World War II, a major theme in the novel. How does the bombing of Dresden and its aftermath develop this theme? Include specific examples from the text in your essay.

The power of music is a motif in Lizzie’s story. What does Lizzie recall about the music of her childhood? What fond memories does it evoke? Describe how the power of music influences Lizzie and her family’s trek west to find safety with the American army. Considering evidence from the novel, what makes music powerful?

Describe how Lizzie’s romantic relationship with Peter develops after their first meeting. Why does she feel guilty at first for falling in love with him? How do her feelings about loving Peter change? Explain how Lizzie’s relationship with Peter supports the novel’s coming-of-age theme. Include details from the text in your essay.

Much of the novel depicts the terrible suffering and destruction wrought by war, but these descriptions contrast with the beauty of the natural world—a key motif. Identify some passages that describe nature as beautiful. What feelings do characters experience in association with the beauty of nature? What ideas are suggested by the contrast between the natural world and the world created by nations at war?

Peter’s compass is the major symbol in the novel. Explain what the compass symbolizes for Lizzie. What does the compass symbolize at the conclusion of the novel when she gives Peter’s compass to Karl? Include details from the text in your essay.