Class Session Summary: Tuesday, February 14

The Hiding place chapter 11-15

Today our class timing changed a bit due to snow day and chapel. We start the class by finishing the timeline of historical event that took place in the Hiding Place. The timeline of continuing chapters 3, 4 and 5 was being presented to class. In the chapter 3 timeline presentation we looked at Europe as a whole and the important lessons Corrie learned from her parents. In the chapter 4 timeline presentation was about the grows of Nazi regime, the world economy and the struggles of Corrie about her mother's sickness. Lastly the chapter 5 timeline presentation was on the Nazi occupation of Holland and Ten Boom’s family reaction to the invasion.

From there with the help of powerpoint we continued discussing a bit more of the timeline of Nazi invasion of Holland. Europe was consistently in war and the rise of Hitler led to  WWII taking place. Germany wanted more territory, therefore reclaiming the land that once belonged to Germany created time for many battles. In fact Holland was especially important to Hitler, for he wanted to invade France through Holland.

Afterwards we took some time looking to pictures of the house Corrie lived in. They build the hiding spot in their house for Jews. Then we were shown some pictures of Ravensbruck the concentration camp where Corrie was being sent. Through pictures we learned more about the conditions of the time.

With  these principles in mind, we were taught the difference between autobiography, memoir and spiritual memoir. We learned that Hiding Place falls underneath of the spiritual memoir. We raised the issue why Corrie’s perspective had played an important role in the novel. That led us to discuss how we can have better reading responses for the class. From our past reading responses where there was too much generalization we learned how to zoom in on a specific aspect of the novel. We discussed the ways how as readers we can interpret the meaning of the novel by having characters interpretation as our evidence.

Later on we took a minute to deepen our thinking about the main question of the novel by having a discussion. How can we decide to which perspective is more accurate and right. Either Corrie or Nollies ?

Some examples can be found on pages 107-108 and pages 125-127. We discussed the perspective of Corrie’s and Nollies on whether to lie or to not lie. Where do we see the both of the perspectives in the text and what bible tells us about it? We ended up coming to the conclusion that it was a complicated matter on the perspectives.

Second to last we look on how to make interpretive arguments. As a class we discussed the consequences when a human rights violated, such as for a boy to dress up as girl for their safety. The mentality of the survivors for example being free physically but mentally still trapped. It might lead a person to become more selfish. We discussed the term refuge and the implication of refuge as being secure, safe and accepted. Perhaps the passage from the psalm on page 39 is the reason for this book to be titled the Hiding Place. God is our hiding place, when we have something to hide from.  

Lastly we had discussion about the story of the Karel and the importance for the novel. Corrie’s love for other was a fulfillment of God’s purpose for her life. She didn’t have a romantic human connection but rather deeper relationship with God. Also through story of Karel’s romance we were able to see Corrie as a human and relate more to her.  Overall we learned that God have a bigger plan for us. An example of this can be found on page 61-”It is a happy thought not a sad one”.....For next class we will look at divine Empire and have discussion on U.S.