The Goddess of Warsaw

Betrayal is a recurring occurrence in the book, with Bina betraying and being betrayed by those around her multiple times across the story. How does the novel examine the nature of loyalty and betrayal throughout the narrative?

The book highlights two important historical movements during the Holocaust: the Oyneg Shabbos Archives and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. How does the author blend elements of fact and fiction in portraying these episodes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of fictional portrayals of such events?

Barr continually uses pairs or parallels across characters and situations to juxtapose and emphasize different ideas and themes in the book. What are some of these instances, and what is their wider significance in the text?

Deception plays an important role in the narrative. What forms of deception exist in the novel? How does the narrative play with the tensions between deception and truth?

The Müller brothers are cast in the role of antagonists in the book. How do the brothers and their experiences serve as a foil to Bina?

Closely analyze the motif of acting in the novel. What is the significance of acting in terms of plot, characterization, and/or the exploration of key themes and ideas?

The ZOB motto in the book is “Revenge is redemption.” How do the different characters who survive the war live up to this motto or fail to do so? How do the lines between redemptive revenge and justice become blurred?

Compare and contrast The Goddess of Warsaw with another novel dealing with the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, such as Jennifer Nielsen’s Uprising. In what ways are the two novels different or similar in how they handle this historical event? What key themes and ideas do they have in common?