Every Man Dies Alone Quiz

Take our free Every Man Dies Alone quiz below, with 25 multiple choice questions that help you test your knowledge. Determine which chapters, themes and styles you already know and what you need to study for your upcoming essay, midterm, or final exam. Take the free quiz now!

Author Hans Fallada and the actor Hartiesen both have run-ins with Joseph Goebbels. Why does Fallada risk painting Goebbels in such a negative light in the novel? (from Afterword)

The novel was published following the fall of the Nazis in Germany so making negative statements about past occurrences was safe.

He is very clever to not make Goebbels appear too badly.

Fallada was a favorite of Goebbels and had been granted immunity and license to say whatever he desired.

Fallada felt his work writing propaganda pieces would protect him.

Why does Frau Rosenthal keep counting her money and fingering her jewelry? (from Part 1: Chapters 10 - 18)

She is trying to decide what to do with all of it since she is stuck in a tiny room.

She is trying to make sure that no one has stolen anything from her.

They make her feel connected to her past life when everything went well for her family.

They are her most prized possessions.

Why does Fallada switch to the first person as he describes the coming of the executioner every few nights in the Death House? (from Part 4: Chapters 60 - 72)

Someone else is telling the story at this point and explaining the experience from their point of view.

The author is writing the scene as if Otto is explaining his nightly fears.

The author is recounting his own experiences at this point.

The use of first person intensifies the scene for the reader so they can truly grasp the prisoner's fear.

In referring to the concierge at Anna Schonlein's apartment, what does Escherich mean when he says "Stick and carrot, that was the way to go" (264)? (from Part 2: Chapters 26 - 32)

He thinks the right way to handle the man is to rough him up a bit and then be nice to him to get him to comply with his wishes.

He will reward him a better paying job to keep him contentedly on the Gestapo's side and informing for them.

He will supply the main with some extra food.

He thinks the concierge is as stupid as a horse that must be told what to do.

What does Inspector Escherich mean by "it's as certain as the amen in church" (192) as he discusses the Hobgoblin case with Inspector Schroeder? (from Part 2: Chapters 19 - 25)

He is certain that he will be able to convince everyone in the Gestapo that he is gaining ground in the case.

His skill as an Inspector and detective is something to be counted on.

Just as there will always be "amen" spoken in any church, he is just as guaranteed to catch his man.

He is convinced that Kluge is involved with the card dropping.