Part 4: 1938, Pages 230-244 Summary

Part 4 opens with a chapter called "Assembly." Daniel is at the usual Saturday morning school assembly, standing next to Armin among the other students. Unlike other mornings, when Dr. Kammacher leads the assembly, this morning it is Dr. Knoppe, "The Ape" who addresses the boys. He is dressed in his Nazi uniform and tells the students that German troops have just "liberated" Austria and have been welcomed by the Austrians. He leads the boys in the usual salute of Hitler and in the singing of Nazi propaganda songs. Daniel notices that where the students had often kidded around during this part of the assembly before, everyone is taking it more seriously now, including Armin.

Daniel has noticed that Armin has changed physically recently, his voice gotten lower and his body thicker. While he has remained Daniel's friend, he has...