Part 2, Chapter 10 Summary

Chapter 10 deviates from the narrative's chronological presentation. Michael, as narrator, remembers several things that happened throughout the period of the trial. Thus, the events in Chapter 10 occur more or less simultaneously with the events described in Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9.

On Sundays, the trials are suspended, and Michael uses his free time to hike and explore the area around his home. He spends a great deal of time walking in the woods and thinking. While in the woods, he realizes that Hanna is illiterate. His epiphany marks a major turning point in the novel, and invites a re-evaluation of Hanna's life.

Michael realizes that Hanna quit her job at Siemens, because she had been offered a promotion. Her promotion would have required her to be literate. Rather than admit her illiteracy, Hanna chose instead to quit her job and join the SS. Hanna...