This section deals with the Ephrussi family through World War II, and what happe

This section deals with the Ephrussi family through World War II, and what happens to them and to their art. Remember – art includes architecture and fine crafts.
Choose one of the topics below, and write an essay ( 5 paragraphs) giving your thoughts. Due by Wednesday night.
1. You’ve likely read many accounts of Nazi raid and Jewish persecution at the start of the occupation, but did anything surprise you or stand out in this account of the takeover of the Palais? What, and why?
2. Viktor and Emmy received vague warnings about the coming threats and were encouraged to flee their home. Would you have been able to walk away from such history and treasures without knowing what was ahead? 3. Viktor essentially sacrificed the Ephrussi dynasty for the sake of his new home country, Austria. Do you think anti-Semetic pressure drove him to become a perfectly loyal citizen, or did Viktor’s allegiance represent his true feeling? Why?
4. Anna, in the midst of working at the orders of the invading Germans, manages to hide away the entire collection of netsuke, piece by piece. Think about what the Nazis would have done to her had they found out she was hiding art from them. Discuss why you think she did this.
5. One of the overriding themes of this section is how the Nazis took what they wanted. Discuss three of the ways the Nazis “took” work. Give specific examples for each. Then discuss why you either believe what the Nazis did was legal and/or justified, or why you believe it was not legal and/or justified.
6. Chapter 29 discusses the issue of restitution – what happens once the war is over to those whose property was damaged or taken. It illustrates a number of the issues involved – how to determine what was taken, its value, who should get the restitution, how much restitution, etc. Choose three of the issues mentioned in this chapter, and discuss your viewpoint on these three. What do you think should have been done versus what was done, and why?
The book we are reading is called The Hare with Amber Eyes A Hidden Inheritance