Fiddler on the Roof


EFL Movie Study Guide for: Fiddler on the Roof from www.krigline.com www.krigline.com.cn Story: How far can people bend their traditions to make room for love and progress? This international musical stage sensation tells the life-affirming story of a poor Jew (with five daughters!) whose love, pride and faith help his family face the oppression of pre-revolutionary Russia. You will laugh, cry, and want to join the singing in this three-hour movie. (1971; 3 Oscars + 5 nominations; starring Topol; United Artists; rated G; musical, drama, romance, comedy, history; G; 3 hr--1:52 to the intermission + 1:09) Setting: In the early 1900s, Russia’s ruler (the czar) was living in luxury while the common people had to scratch out a living. The winds of change were blowing, but change comes slowly to Jewish (犹太人) families in the sleepy village of Anatevka whose traditions have long helped them keep their balance. Note: I’ve had students ask why Russian Jews speak English. American movies often make it look like everyone can speak English, but this is just for viewers’ convenience. (They probably spoke Hebrew or Russian among themselves!) You should also know that, throughout the story, when the main character looks up and talks to “nobody” he is really praying (talking to God).
Jobs important to the story butcher: sb who sells meat (and—in this movie--kills the animals too) matchmaker: sb who helps parents arrange a marriage for their children milkman: sb who raises milk cows and makes/sells cheese, butter, milk, etc. priest (or Reverend Father): a Christian religious leader rabbi: a Jewish teacher (and Bible authority), who is also the most respected leader in a Jewish community scholar (or “learned man”): sb who has been formally educated and therefore is seen as wise/insightful/etc tailor: sb who sews to make or fix clothes A few terms (vocabulary): arrested: to be picked up by the police for doing something wrong (i.e., a crime); if a court or judge agrees, the “arrested” person is “convicted” of the crime and then punished biddy biddy bum: this has no meaning; it just sounds good when singing it in a folk song! blessing: (a) words of encouragement and approval that ask God to look positively on sth and to help sb.; (b) if sth "has your blessing" then you support it; (c) a gift from God (“Rabbi, is there a blessing for …?” Answer: “There is a blessing for everything!” "Papa, we plan to get married, and we want to have your blessing.") canopy: this is like a tent without sides; the movie features a Jewish wedding under a canopy with a rabbi leading the ceremony; the couple is officially married when the groom breaks a small glass departed (or “our beloved departed”): friends or relatives who have died and moved to heaven devotion: strong love that you show when you pay a lot of attention to sb or sth dowry: money or things that a woman gives to her husband when they marry (often things that can be used in the home); in some societies, you need a big dowry to get a good husband evicted: when the police or another legal power forces you to leave your home/land, because the landowner (or government) wants to use the land for some other purpose (note: near the beginning of the film, we hear that nearby Jews were evicted from their homes) fiddle: an informal word for a violin (小提琴), especially when used to play folk music fiddler: someone who plays a fiddle fortune: [countable] a lot of money (e.g., “I wish I had a small fortune”); [uncountable] chance and the effect it has on your life (e.g., “May you be blessed with fortune and honor”; “It was his good fortune to get such an important job”). kosher (adj): food prepared according to religious (esp. Jewish) law or customs lame: unable to walk properly because of a hurt leg match (v&n): a marriage or to put people together in marriage; (n) a small stick that helps you start a fire (used this way in the movie: “This place is so unimportant that someone should have set a match* to it long ago”). melancholy: very sad; a melancholy choice means that you will probably be very sad either way miracles: something very good that you did not expect to happen or did not think was possible, but it happened anyway (esp. when God does such a thing)	(vocabulary continued) outside the faith: outside our religion; most religions require people to marry someone who shares the same religion, and in some religions people are told to think of those who marry outside the faith as if they are traitors and thus who are “dead to us” pledge: a serious promise or agreement (“we gave each other a pledge” means that we promised that we would someday marry each other) pogrom: a planned killing of large numbers of people, done for reasons of race or religion poverty: the situation or experience of not having much money; being poor rumor: sth (like information) that is passed from one person to another and which may or may not be true slaughter: to kill (esp. to kill an animal for its meat) sober: not drunk (opposite of 醉) *tradition(s): [countable] a belief, custom, or way of doing something that has existed for a long time; [uncountable] all of these beliefs, customs, etc., in general. (传统) “well put”: said in a clever or particularly good way People and proper nouns: Reb + sb: used before a name, pretty much like “Mr.” is used in normal English Tevye: the milkman at the center of this story Golde: Tevye’s wife Yente: the matchmaker Tzeitel: the oldest daughter Hodel: the second daughter Chava: the third daughter (short for Chaveleh) Motel: the tailor Perchik: a former student who teaches Tevye’s young daughters in exchange for food Fyedka: a young Russian farmer (who is not Jewish) Lazar Wolf: the butcher (a rich man in their community) Fruma Sarah: Lazar’s “beloved departed” first wife Avram (someone in the village who can read Russian; most people could not, so they looked to Avram to give them news from outside their village) Your Honor: this is what Tevye calls the constable (chief of police) Holy Book(s), the Good Book, the Bible (圣经) Hebrew School: at the time of this story, this was the place where Jewish boys got an education, and especially learned to read and write in Hebrew (the language the Bible was written in) Synagogue: the place where Jewish people study the Bible (like a church or temple) the Chosen People: a synonym for “Jews”—the people God chose, through whom to reveal His laws and His character, and through whom He planned to provide salvation for Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) Sabbath: the holy day for Jewish people, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday; this was a day in which they were not allowed to work and it began with a special family meal just after the sun went down Messiah: the Jewish word meaning Christ, a holy man who God promised to send someday in order to save people from sin and all that was wrong, and afterward to rule the world forever; Christians believe that Jesus (耶稣) is the Jewish Messiah.

Sentences from the movie: from memory and from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067093/trivia?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu Note: These may not be in the correct chronological order. Some are here simply because they are funny, and non-native speakers might not understand them without help. "Letters" relate to discussion questions (below). A1. Tevye: A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But here, in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn't easy. You may ask 'Why do we stay up there if it's so dangerous?' Well, we stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: tradition! Because of our traditions, everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do.” Traditions, traditions. Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as... as a fiddler on the roof! 2. Tevye: Because of our traditions, we've kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka, we have traditions for everything: how to sleep, how to eat... how to work... how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered, and always wear a little prayer shawl that shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, "How did this tradition get started?" I'll tell you! [pause] I don't know. But it's a tradition... and because of our traditions... Every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do. Men: [singing] Who day and night must scramble for a living, feed a wife and children, say his daily prayers, and who has the right as master of the house to have the final word at home? The Papa! The Papa! Tradition! The Papa! The Papa! Tradition! Women: Who must know the way to make a proper home, a quiet home, a kosher home? Who must raise a family and run the home, so Papa's free to read the Holy Book? The Mama! The Mama! Tradition! The Mama! The Mama! Tradition! Sons: [singing] At three I started Hebrew School, at ten I learned a trade. I hear they've picked a bride for me, I hope she's pretty. Daughters: [singing] And who does Mama teach to mend and tend and fix, preparing her to marry whoever Papa picks? The daughters! The daughters! Tradition! Men: [singing] The Papa! Women: [singing] The Mama! Sons: [singing] Sons! Daughters: [singing] The Daughters! All: [singing] Tradition! 3. Tevye: And in the circle of our little village, We've always had our special types. For instance, Yente the matchmaker, Reb Nachum the beggar... And most important of all, our beloved Rabbi. Lebisch: Rabbi! May I ask you a question? Rabbi: Certainly, Lebisch! Lebisch: Is there a proper blessing... for the Tsar? Rabbi: A blessing for the Tsar? Of course! May God bless and keep the Tsar... far away from us! 4. Tevye: Then there are the others in our village. They make a much bigger circle. We don't bother them, and so far, they don't bother us. And among ourselves, we always get along perfectly well. [pointing to Itchak and Avram] Of course, there was the time when he sold him a horse and told him it was only six years old, when it was really 12. But now, it's all over, and we live in simple peace and harmony. Tevye [In Avram's ear]: It was twelve years old. [Avram nods] Itchak: It was six! Avram: Tevye knows! [they begin arguing] 5. Mordcha: May the authorities be like onions with their heads in the ground! 6. Mordcha: May the Czar have his own personal plague! 7. Mordcha: Why should I break my head about the outside world? Let the outside world break its own head! Well put, no? 8. Mordcha: If the rich could hire others to die for them we, the poor, would all make a nice living. 9. Tevye: And until your golden day comes, Rev. Perchik, How will you live? Perchik: By giving lessons to children, Do you have any children? Tevye: I have five daughters. Perchik: [Looking to Tevye in disbelief] Five? Tevye: Daughters... Perchik: Girls can learn too, girls are . Mendel: A radical! Tevye: Oh, go away! 10. Golde: You'll be late. Tevye: Golde, I won't be late. Golde: You'll be late. Tevye: I won't be late! I won't be late! If you ever stop talking, I won't be late! 11. [about Yente, the matchmaker] Tzeitel: But Mama, the men she finds. The last one was so old and he was bald. He had no hair. Golde: A poor girl without a dowry can't be so particular. You want hair, marry a monkey. 12. Yente: From such children come other children! Golde: Motel is nothing! Yente, you said you had news for me... Yente: Ah, children, they are your blessing in your old age. My poor Aaron, God rest his soul, couldn't give me children. Between you and me, Golde, he hardly tried. 13. (Talking about the men they love, while their mother is arranging a match for Tzeitel) Hodel: [singing] For Papa, make him a scholar! Chava: [singing] For Mama, make him rich as a king! Hodel, Chava: For me, well, I wouldn't holler if he were as handsome as anything! Hodel, Chava: Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match! Find me a find, catch me a catch! Night after night in the dark I'm alone, so find me a match of my own! 14. Hodel: We only have one Rabbi, and he only has one son. Why shouldn't I want the best? Tzeitel: Because you're a girl from a poor family. So whatever Yente brings, you'll take. Right? Of course, right! [sings, mimicking Yente] Tzeitel: Hodel! Oh Hodel, have I made a match for you! He's handsome, he's young! All right, he's sixty-two. But he's a nice man, a good catch, true? True! I promise you'll be happy, and even if you're not, there's more to life than that... Don't ask me what. 15. Tzeitel: Chava, I've found him; will you be a lucky bride! He's handsome, he's tall! That is, from side to side, but he's a nice man, a good catch, right? Hodel: Right! Tzeitel: You heard he has a temper. Hodel: He'll beat you every night. Tzeitel: But only when he's sober... Tzeitel, Hodel: So you're all right! 16. [Tevye admires the lavishness of a butcher's home] Tevye: And all this from killing innocent animals. 17. Lazar Wolf: How is your brother-in-law in America? Tevye: Oh, he's doing very well. Lazar Wolf: Oh, he wrote you? Tevye: No, not lately. Lazar Wolf: Then how do you know? Tevye: If he was doing badly, he would write. 18. (After Tevye gives Lazar permission to marry daughter Tzeitel, who is much younger than Lazar; he thinks, ‘Well, married to a butcher she will never be hungry.’) Lazar Wolf: Have a drink? Tevye: I won't insult you by saying no. (Lazar calls him “Papa”) Tevye: I always wanted a son, but I wanted one a little younger than myself. 19. Men: [singing] And if our good fortune never comes, here's to whatever comes. All: To life, to life, L'Chaim! 20. Constable: You're an honest, decent person. Even though you are a Jew. Tevye: Oh... THANK you, your honor. How often does a man get a compliment like that? 21. Tevye: Thank you, your honor. You are a good man. If I may say so, it's too bad you're not a Jew. Constable: [laughs] That's what I like about you, Tevye. You're always joking. 22. (When Motel asks Tevye for permission to marry daughter Tzeitel) Motel: Times are changing, Reb Tevye. The thing is, over a year ago, your daughter, Tzeitel, and I gave each other our pledge that we would marry. Tevye: You gave each other a... pledge? They gave each other a pledge? Unheard of. Absurd. Tzeitel: Yes, Papa. We gave each other our pledge. Tevye: But you are just a poor tailor! Motel: That's true, Reb Tevye, but even a poor tailor is entitled to some happiness! 23. (The Papa pretends to have a dream, to convince his wife that “the ancestors” want Tzeitel to marry Motel instead of Lazor.) Tevye: In the middle of the dream, in walks your grandmother Tzeitel, may she rest in peace. Golde: Grandmother Tzeitel? How did she look? Tevye: Well, for a woman who's dead 30 years, she looked very good… Fruma Sarah (Lazor’s dead wife; also in the dream): How could you allow it? How? How could you let your daughter take my place? Live in my house, carry my keys, and wear my clothes, pearls? Ghosts: [singing] How could you allow your daughter to take her place? Fruma Sarah: Pearls! Ghosts: House? Fruma Sarah: Pearls! Ghosts: Keys! Fruma Sarah: Pearls! Ghosts: Clothes! Fruma Sarah: Peeeeeearls! Ghosts: How? 24. Tevye: [singing] Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play? Golde: [singing] I don't remember growing older. When did they? 25. Perchik: [sings] They look so natural together. Hodel: [sings] Just like two newlyweds should be. Perchik, Hodel: [singing] Is there a canopy in store for me? All: [singing] Sunrise, sunset; sunrise, sunset; swiftly fly the years... one season following another, laden with happiness and tears. 26. [Hodel and Perchik begin dancing at Tzeitel’s wedding] Mendel: She's dancing with a man! Tevye: I can SEE that she's dancing with a man! [pause] And I'm going to dance with my wife! C27. the police officer (after his men destroyed things): “Orders are orders. Understand?” 28. Tevye (papa) likes to quote the Bible, but he doesn’t always remember the quotes correctly, or mixes “common wisdom” with actual scriptures. Here are some examples: 29. Tevye: As the good book says, if you spit in the air, it lands in your face. 30. Tevye: As the Good Book says, when a poor man eats a chicken, one of them is sick. 31. Where does the Book say that? 32. Tevye: Well, it doesn't say that exactly, but somewhere there is something about a chicken. 33. Tevye: As Abraham said, "I am a stranger in a strange land... " Mendel: Moses said that. Tevye: Ah. Well, as King David said, "I am slow of speech, and slow of tongue." Mendel: That was also Moses. Tevye: For a man who was slow of tongue, he talked a lot. 34. Perchik: I'm a very good teacher. Hodel: I heard that the Rabbi who must praise himself has a congregation of one. Perchik: Your daughter has a quick and witty tongue. Tevye: Yes, the wit she gets from me, as the Good Book says... Golde: The Good Book can wait, it's time for Sabbath. Tevye (quietly to Perchik): …the tongue she gets from her mother. 35. Perchik: In this world it is the rich who are the criminals. Someday their wealth will be ours. Tevye: That would be nice. If they would agree, I would agree. 36. Perchik: Money is the world's curse. Tevye: May the Lord smite me with it. And may I never recover. 37. Perchik: You'll all chatter yourselves away into the grave. 38. Tevye (papa) is often “looking up” and talking to God. Examples: 38a. Tevye: [to God] I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else? 38b. Tevye: [to God] Sometimes I think, when it gets too quiet up there, You say to Yourself, "What kind of mischief can I play on My friend Tevye?" 38c. Tevye: [to God] It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm not. After all, with Your help, I'm starving to death. 38d. Tevye: [to God] Anyway, Motel and Tzeitel have been married for some time now. They work very hard, and they're as poor as squirrels in winter. But, they're so happy, they don't know how miserable they are. 38e. Tevye: [to God] As the Good Book says… [he chuckles] Why should I tell You what the Good Book says? C39. Perchik: There's a question... A certain question I want to discuss with you. Hodel: Yes? Perchik: It's a political question. Hodel: What is it? Perchik: The question of... marriage. Hodel: Is this a political question? Perchik: Well, yes. Yes, everything's political. Like everything else, the relationship between a man and a woman has a socioeconomic base. Marriage must be founded on mutual beliefs. A common attitude and philosophy towards society... Hodel: And affection? Perchik: Well, yes, of course. That is also necessary. Such a relationship can have positive social values. When two people face the world with unity and solidarity... Hodel: And affection? Perchik: Yes, that is an important element! At any rate, I personally am in favor of such a socioeconomic relationship. Hodel: I think... you are asking me to marry you. Perchik: Well... in a theoretical sense... yes. I am. Hodel: I was hoping you were. Perchik: Oh, Hodel. I’m very, very happy! (continued in other column)	40. [Perchik and Hodel have announced their engagement] Tevye [to himself, and to God]: He loves her. Love, it's a new style... On the other hand, our old ways were once new, weren't they?... On the other hand, they decided without parents, without a matchmaker!... On the other hand, did Adam and Eve have a matchmaker?... Well, yes, they did. And it seems these two have the same Matchmaker! 41. Tevye: [in song] Do you love me? Golde: [speaking] I'm your wife! Tevye: [speaking] I know! [in song] But do you love me? Golde: [singing] Do I love him? For twenty-five years I've lived with him, fought with him, starved with him. Twenty-five years, my bed is his... Tevye: Shh! Golde: [singing] If that's not love, what is? Tevye: [singing] Then you love me! Golde: I suppose I do! Tevye: Oh. [sings] And I suppose I love you too. Tevye, Golde: [singing] It doesn't change a thing, but even so... After twenty-five years, it's nice to know. D42. Tevye: [about Perchik, as Hodel is leaving on a train for Siberia] Is he in bad trouble, that hero of yours? [Hodel nods] Tevye: Arrested? [she nods again] Tevye: Convicted? Hodel: Yes. But he did nothing wrong. He cares nothing for himself. Everything he does is for other people. Tevye: Yes, but if he did nothing wrong, he wouldn't be in trouble. Hodel: Oh Papa, how can you say that? What wrongs did Joseph do? And Abraham, and Moses? And they had troubles. Tevye: Yes, but... But why won't you tell me where he is now, this Joseph of yours? Hodel: It is far, Papa. Terribly far. He is in a [prison] settlement in Siberia. Tevye: [shocked] Siberia! And he asks you to leave your father and mother, and join him in that frozen wasteland and marry him there? Hodel: No, Papa. He did not ask me to go. I want to go. I don't want him to be alone. I want to help him in his work. Tevye: Hodel... Hodel: Papa. [sings] How can I hope to make you understand, why I do what I do? Why I must travel to a distant land, far from the home I love. Once I was happily content to be, as I was, where I was. Close to the people who are close to me, here in the home I love. Who could see that a man would come, who would change the shape of my dreams? Helpless now, I stand with him, watching older dreams grow dim. Oh, what a melancholy choice this is, wanting home, wanting him... Closing my heart to every hope but his, leaving the home I love. There where my heart has settled long ago, I must go, I must go. Who could imagine I'd be wandering so far from the home I love. Yet... there with my love, I'm home. [the train is heard] Tevye: [concerned] And, who my child will there be to perform a marriage there in the wilderness? Hodel: [smiling] Papa, I promise you, we will be married under a canopy. Tevye: Yes, yes. No doubt, a Rabbi or two were also arrested. [the train pulls in, Tevye lifts Hodel's luggage aboard] Hodel: [crying and hugging him] Papa! God alone knows when we shall see each other again. Tevye: Then, we will leave it in His hands. [he helps her aboard and watches the train pull out] Tevye: [looking up] Take care of her. See that she dresses warm. 43. Fyedka: [introducing himself to Chava] I'm a pleasant fellow, charming, honest, ambitious, quite bright, and very modest. 44. Fyedka: Your father is coming. Chava, let me talk to him. Let me tell him about us. Chava: No, Fyedka, that would be the worst thing, I'm sure of it. Fyedka: But let me try! Chava: No! I'll talk to him. I promise. 45. Tevye: [after seeing Chava and Fyedka talking] What were you and he talking about? Chava: Nothing. We were just talking. Tevye: Good. [walks away] Chava: [chasing after Teyve] Papa! Fyedka and I... We've known each other for a long time... Tevye: Chaveleh, I would be much happier if you remained friends from a distance. You must not forget who you are [a Jew] and who that man is [a non-Jew]. Chava: He has a name, Papa. Tevye: Of course. All creatures on Earth have a name. Chava: Fyedka is not a creature, Papa. Fyedka is a man! Tevye: Who says he isn't? It's just that he's a different kind of man. As the Good Book says, "Each shall seek his own kind." In other words, a bird may love a fish, but where would they build a home together? Chava: The world is changing, Papa! Tevye: [firmly] No! [calmly] No. Some things do not change for us. Some things will never change. Chava: We don't feel that way. Tevye: We? Chava: Fyedka and I... We want to be married. Tevye: What? Are you out of your mind? Don't you understand what that means, marrying outside of the faith? Chava: But, Papa... Tevye: I said no! Never talk about it again. Never mention his name again. Never see him again. Do you understand me? Chava: [quietly] Yes, Papa. I understand you. 46. Golde: Tevye! Tevye! Tevye: What is it? Golde: It's Chava. She left home this morning, with Fyedka. Tevye: What? Golde: I've looked everywhere for her. I even went to the priest. He told me they were married. Tevye: Married? Golde: Yes. Tevye: Well... Go home, Golde. We have other children at home. You have work to do, I have work to do, go home. Golde: [anguished] But Chaveleh! Tevye: Chava is dead to us! We'll forget her. [gently] Go home. Go home, Golde. [Golde walks away, crying] 47. [after Chava elopes] Tevye: [singing] Little bird... Little Chaveleh. I don't understand what's happening today. Everything is all a blur... All I can see is a happy child, the sweet little bird you were, Chaveleh, Chaveleh... Little bird, little Chaveleh, you were always such a pretty little thing, everybody's favorite child... Gentle and kind and affectionate, what a sweet little bird you were, Chaveleh, Chaveleh... G48. Tevye: “How can I turn my back on my faith and my people? If I try to bend that far, I’ll break.” 49. Golde: Oh, you're finally here. Come, let's go home now. Tevye: I want to see Motel's new machine. Golde: You can see it some other time. Let's go home now. Tevye: Quiet, woman, before I get angry! Because when I get angry, even flies don't dare to fly! Golde: [sarcastically] I'm very frightened of you. After we finish supper I'll faint. Tevye: [angrily] Golde, I am the head of the house! I am the head of the family! And I want to see Motel's new machine NOW! [He looks inside quickly and then closes the door] Tevye: Now, let’s go home. 50. [Yente has returned from the post office] Yente: The postman told me there was a letter for your sister, Hodel. Tzeitel: Thank you, I'll go and get it. Yente: I got it. It's, ah, from her intended, Perchik. Tzeitel: Oh, she'll be so happy, she's been waiting to hear from... but it's open! Yente: [shrugs] So, it happened to be open... 51. Yente: People! I tell you, Tzeitel, if God lived on earth, people would break his windows! 52. [the constable enters Anatevka] Tevye: Welcome, your honour, what's the good news in the world? Constable: I see you have company. Tevye: [looks at them nervously] They are my friends. Constable: It's just as well. What I have to say is for their ears also. How much time do you need to sell your house and household goods? Tevye: Why should I sell my house? Is it in anybody's way? Constable: I came to tell you that you have to leave Anatevka. Tevye: How did I come to deserve such an honour? Constable: Not just you of course, but all of you! 53. Lazar Wolf: We can fight to keep our home. Constable: Against our militia, our army? I wouldn't advise that! Tevye: I have some advice for you. Get off my land. This is still my home, my land. Get off my land. H54. Villager (who wanted to fight the authorities and stay in his home): “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (i.e., if they hurt us we should hurt them the same way). Tevye: Very good. That way the whole world will be blind and toothless.” 55. Motel: [on being evicted] Rabbi, we've been waiting all our lives for the Messiah. Wouldn't now be a good time for Him to come? Rabbi: We'll have to wait for him someplace else. Meanwhile, let's start packing. 56. Lazar Wolf: How is it going with you, Reb Tevye? Tevye: How should it go? Lazar Wolf: You are right. Tevye: And you? Lazar Wolf: The same. Tevye: I'm sorry to hear that. F57. (Talking about the relatives they are moving to go live with in America, after being evicted from their village because of their Jewish faith.) Tevye: Where are you going? Lazar Wolf: Chicago. In America. Tevye: Chicago, America? We are going to New York, America. We'll be neighbors. Lazar: I hate (my brother-in-law), but a relative is a relative. 58. Chava: I'll write to you in America if you like. Golde: [shouts] We'll be staying with Uncle Avram! Chava: Yes, Mama! Tevye: [annoyed] We'll be staying with Uncle Avram! We'll be staying with Uncle Avram! The whole world has to know our business! 59. Golde: [about Tevye] You can die from such a man! 60. [last lines] Tevye: All right children. Let's go. ---------------------- Discussion 1. Read section #A again. Tell us about some of your family’s traditions. 2. Read section #C. What do you think marriage should be “founded on”? After saying that Perchik and Hodel love each other, Tevye and his wife sing “Do you love me?” The song asks questions about what love is. What do you think love is? 3. Read section #B again. The Russian government ordered the officer to evict the Jewish people from their land for no good reason. Could you follow such an order and evict the neighbors you had known all your life? Afterward, could you continue to live there, or would you be like Fyedka who said “we can’t live among people who do such things to others”? Explain. 4. Read and discuss sections #D, E, and F. Which do you agree with? What don’t you agree with and why? 5. When Hodel is waiting for the train, she sings about being torn between “wanting home” and “wanting him” (i.e., the man she plans to marry). Many people want to live near their parents after they get married. What reasons would be strong enough to convince you to live far away? What do you think of Hodel’s last statement: “There with my love, I’m home”? 6. Read section #G again. If it is hard to imagine a father thinking of his daughter as being “dead to us,” picture a Chinese father who finds out that his daughter has been helping the Japanese in World War 2. This is the way Tevye felt — he thought his daughter was turning her back on the truth and on her people. Is there anything that could make you turn your back on your people? If you did this, would you expect your parents to still love and accept you? Would they? 7. When the three oldest daughters decided to choose their own husbands, the first one begged her father to give permission, the second said she didn’t want permission but wanted the father to give his blessing (approval), and the third merely asked the father to “accept us” instead of thinking of them as being “dead to us.” Which of these young ladies was being reasonable, and which were asking too much of their father? Explain. 8. At the end, Chava’s sister couldn’t resist talking to her “traitor” sister, even though the father considered Chava “dead.” Would it be easier for a sister or a father to love such a person? Why? Do you think the father should have said more, or was his blessing (“and God be with you”) enough? When (under what conditions or with what payment) should people be forgiven after they do sth wrong? Can traitors be forgiven? Criminals? Sinners? 9. Read section #H. When is it right to “fight back” and when is it right to “just obey”? Say what you think about Tevye’s statement?
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