Bernhard Schlink, Der Vorleser

Our teacher's booklet for The Reader by Bernhard Schlink not only contains the solutions to the tasks but also helps you plan a varied German lesson that makes reading fun and stimulates reading motivation. The teaching material includes additional worksheets and teaching ideas for further deepening the topics.

A shadowy first love

Hanna is irritable, mysterious, and much older than him, yet she becomes young Michael's first passion. One day she disappears without a trace. Only years later does he see her again during his law studies - as a defendant in a trial against former concentration camp guards. An almost criminalistic exploration of a strange love and oppressive past. Schlink's novel deals with the crimes of the Holocaust and the guilt of the perpetrators.

The teacher's booklet contains:

• An overview of the contents of the three-part novel
• Analysis of the characters and life stories
• Relationship between Hanna and Michael
• Illiteracy
• Process and Michael's handling of it
• Dealing with guilt
• The role of reading aloud
• Possible short presentations on the literature mentioned and its authors
• Creative and analytical methodological and didactic ways to make literature accessible
• Literary film adaptations, filmed literature
• Sample tasks for preparing for the Abitur and the Realschulabschluss

The student booklet is available separately and contains:

• Novel characters
• Development of the plot
• Hanna's guilt
• Dealing with guilt
• Illiteracy
• Materials on real concentration camp witnesses and trials
• Exploration and design tasks
• Numerous illustrations/photos
• Writing prompts, help and solutions
• Preparation for the final exam.