The Hamburg Flats

Helmuth and his family live in Hamburg within small flats. As a child, he first lives with his mother, Mutti, and two brothers, Hans and Gerhard. Helmuth's mother remarries, and they move to a larger flat away from his grandparents. Except during his incarceration, Helmuth never lives outside of his small, Hamburg community.

School

School has a major impact on Helmuth's perspective of the world. Helmuth's experiences in school are reflective of the German society's evolution around him. As Hitler rises to power, Helmuth sees that even his school lessons take on a darker tone. There is more emphasis on love of country and sacrifice, than individuality and free-thinking. Whereas school should be something a bright student like Helmuth would thrive upon, he begins to dread going, as Nazi-themed teachings increasingly dominate class time.

Jewish Neighborhoods

The Jewish neighborhoods of Hamburg were once thriving centers of...