“What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

“What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander was first published in his 2012 short story collection of the same name. This provocative and powerful story draws inspiration from Raymond Carver’s “What We Talk About When We Talk About Love,” exploring themes of Jewish identity, faith, and the enduring legacy of the Holocaust. Englander masterfully uses dark humor and sharp dialogue to expose the complexities of how modern Jewish couples grapple with unimaginable historical trauma and the ever-present fear of its recurrence.

Main Events in “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

1. Introduction: The narrator and his wife, Debbie, prepare to host old friends from their yeshiva days.
2. Shoshana and Yerucham Arrive: Formerly known as Lauren and Mark, the visitors have moved to Jerusalem and become ultra-Orthodox.
3. Drinking and Getting High: The two couples drink vodka and share stories while also secretly smoking marijuana.
4. The Holocaust as a Measuring Stick: The couples discuss faith, the Holocaust, and the narrator’s more secular Jewish identity.
5. Tensions Build over Jewishness: Arguments arise about who is a “real Jew” and the depth of connection with the Holocaust.
6. Playing the Anne Frank Game: The story shifts to the hypothetical scenario of hiding Jews in an attic, leading to discussions of who they would save if faced with that choice.
7. Imagining the Worst: The hypothetical game spirals into darker territory, with Shoshana and Yerucham imagining apocalyptic scenarios and antisemitic neighbors.
8. Confessions of Fear and Doubt: Shoshana admits that despite her outward piety, she lives in terror and doubts her faith.
9. Debbie’s Disillusionment: Debbie, who has romanticized survivors, is disappointed that the game didn’t provide the profound insight she’d hoped for.
10. The Hidden Righteous Gentile: In a twist, the narrator reveals that his non-Jewish neighbors would have hidden his family during the Holocaust.
11. Yerucham’s Aggressive Apology: Faced with the kindness of the gentile neighbors, Yerucham offers an awkward, confrontational apology for earlier insults.
12. Awkward Reconciliation: The couples agree to put aside their differences, even though fundamental tensions remain unresolved.
13. The Aftermath: The narrator reflects on how the evening has exposed hidden anxieties and contradictions about faith and identity.
14. Debbie’s Survivor Story: Debbie shares a secondhand story of two survivors reuniting years later, a tale that lacks the grand meaning she sought.
15. Lingering Questions: The story ends on a note of quiet unease, raising more questions about faith and survival than it answers.

Literary Devices in “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

Literary Device	Example
Alliteration	“Space upon space.”
Allusion	“Rumpleforeskin” (alluding to “Rumpelstiltskin”)
Anecdote	Mark’s story about his father and the survivor they meet at the golf club.
Characterization	Description of Lauren as “a big woman, in a bad dress and a giant blond Marilyn Monroe wig.”
Dialogue	Conversations between characters, such as Mark and the narrator discussing their respective lifestyles.
Foreshadowing	Mark’s comment about his parents being Holocaust survivors hints at the later story about his father’s encounter.
Humor	Mark’s joke about koshering whiskey and his father’s reaction to the survivor at the golf club.
Imagery	Descriptions of the setting, characters, and actions, such as “the big black hat” and “a beard resting on his belly.”
Irony	Lauren’s refusal to shake hands despite expressing maternal affection towards Trevor.
Metaphor	Comparison of Carmel Lake Village to a “D.P. camp with a billiards room.”
Parallelism	“From Europe to New York, and now, for the end of their lives, again the same place.”
Personification	“Mark’s eyes are popping out of his head.”
Repetition	“Look, a five,” Mark says twice while comparing the survivor’s tattoo with his father’s.
Satire	Mark’s comment about American puritanical drinking laws compared to Israel’s more relaxed attitude.
Simile	“It is like watching a pair of big beige manatees sitting on a bench.”
Symbolism	The number tattoos symbolize the shared experience of surviving the Holocaust.
Theme	Exploration of family dynamics, cultural differences, and the weight of history.
Tone	Shift from casual banter to solemnity during discussions about Mark’s parents’ survival.
Understatement	Mark’s nonchalant reaction to the encounter with the survivor at the golf club.
Wit	Mark’s clever retorts and humorous observations throughout the story.

Characterization in “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

Major Characters

• The Narrator: An unnamed man who is more secular than his observant friends. He’s observant of the dynamics between the couples, feels a mix of curiosity and judgment towards them, and struggles with his own connection to Jewish identity.
• Debbie: The narrator’s wife; she has a romanticized view of Holocaust survivors and seeks meaning and depth through the Anne Frank game. She’s ultimately disappointed and faces the limits of her own understanding.
• Shoshana (formerly Lauren): Now ultra-Orthodox, Shoshana appears self-righteous and judgmental of the narrator’s lifestyle. However, she later reveals deep-seated fears and a crisis of faith, showing a more complex persona.
• Yeruchem (formerly Mark): Shoshana’s husband who, like her, has become extremely religious in Jerusalem. He is initially combative but eventually offers a clumsy apology acknowledging the kindness of the narrator’s neighbors.

Minor Characters

• The Neighbors: Though they never physically appear in the story, the narrator’s non-Jewish neighbors take on symbolic significance. Their past willingness to hide Jews challenges the assumptions of all the characters and creates a surprising twist.

How Characterization Works

Nathan Englander primarily uses the following to develop his characters:

• Dialogue: Reveals personalities, beliefs, and underlying conflicts between characters.
• Actions and Behaviors: How the characters drink, play the game, and react to one another demonstrate their attitudes and anxieties.
• Internal Monologue (Narrator): The narrator’s observations about himself and the others offer insight into his perspective and judgments.
• Dramatic Irony: The gap between what characters say and what the reader knows (about the neighbors) exposes limitations and hidden motivations

Major Themes in “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

1. Jewish Identity and the Burden of History: The story explores the complex ways in which modern Jews relate to their faith and the legacy of the Holocaust. The characters debate what constitutes “authentic” Jewishness and grapple with how to live with the ever-present awareness of historical trauma. This is shown through the contrast between the narrator’s secular life and Yerucham and Shoshana’s newfound religiosity.
2. Fear and Survival: The Anne Frank game forces the characters to confront their deepest anxieties about persecution. Shoshana’s imagined apocalyptic scenarios and fears about their non-Jewish neighbors underscore the enduring sense of vulnerability. The possibility that gentiles would have been more likely to help them in the past adds further complexity to this theme.
3. Faith and Doubt: While Yerucham and Shoshana outwardly profess strong faith, their actions and words betray inner struggles with belief. Debbie’s search for meaning through the stories of survivors highlights the tension between romanticized views of faith and the harsh realities many faced.
4. The Limits of Empathy: Debbie’s idealized views of survivors suggest a desire to connect deeply with Holocaust suffering. Yet, the story ultimately shows that even with the best intentions, true understanding of such experiences may be impossible for those who haven’t lived through them. The characters’ inability to truly comprehend each other’s positions speaks to this theme.

Writing Style in “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

• Dialogue-Driven: The story relies heavily on natural-sounding dialogue to propel the narrative, reveal characters’ personalities, and create tension.
• Dark Humor: Englander uses humor laced with discomfort and irony. This highlights the absurdity of the characters’ situation and their attempts to grapple with a profound historical trauma within the comfortable confines of their suburban home.
• Conversational Tone: The narrator’s first-person perspective creates an informal, almost confessional feeling. This draws the reader into his observations and judgments.
• Minimalist Description: Englander doesn’t overload the story with descriptive details, instead focusing on the raw interactions and inner thoughts of the characters. This maintains a sense of immediacy.
• Abrupt Transitions: The story shifts suddenly between past and present, between the hypothetical Anne Frank game and the characters’ real-life anxieties. This reflects the fragmented way the characters think about the Holocaust and its legacy.
• Use of Literary Devices: Englander employs literary devices like symbolism, foreshadowing, and irony to add depth and layers of meaning to the seemingly straightforward narrative.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

Literary Theory	Key Points for Analysis
Reader-Response Criticism	Focuses on the reader’s personal experience and interpretation of the text. * How does your own background and experiences shape your understanding of the story’s themes? * What emotional responses does the story evoke, and why?
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Explores characters’ unconscious motivations and repressed desires. * What do the characters’ anxieties and arguments reveal about their hidden fears or insecurities? * How does the Anne Frank game act as a projection of their subconscious thoughts?
Historical Criticism	Considers the historical context in which the story was written and how it reflects social, political, or cultural issues of the time. * How does the story address the ongoing legacy of the Holocaust in contemporary Jewish identity? * In what ways might the story reflect post-9/11 anxieties about safety and vulnerability?
Post-Colonial Criticism	Examines power dynamics, representation of marginalized groups, and the lingering impact of historical domination. * How does the story explore power imbalances within different expressions of Jewish identity? * Can the story be interpreted as a commentary on how narratives of suffering are used or appropriated?
Feminist Criticism	Analyzes the representation of women, gender roles, and patriarchal structures. * How are Debbie and Shoshana portrayed in comparison to their husbands? * Does the story challenge or reinforce traditional gender stereotypes?

Topics, Questions and Thesis Statements about “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

Sure, here’s a table with topics, questions, and thesis statements related to “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander:

Topic	Questions	Thesis Statements
Holocaust Representation	How does the story depict the Holocaust?	The story serves as a poignant exploration of the lingering impact of the Holocaust on survivors.
Friendship vs. Betrayal	How do the characters’ actions reflect themes of loyalty and betrayal?	The narrative delves into the complexities of friendship and the moral dilemmas faced in extreme situations.
Jewish Identity	How do the characters grapple with their Jewish identity?	Englander’s story illustrates the multifaceted nature of Jewish identity in both secular and religious contexts.
Moral Responsibility	What ethical dilemmas arise in the story?	Through the characters’ choices, the story examines the moral responsibilities individuals face in times of crisis.
Memory and Trauma	How do memories of the past shape the characters’ present?	The story explores the enduring trauma of the Holocaust and its impact on subsequent generations.
Religious Faith	How does religion intersect with the characters’ experiences?	Englander uses religious motifs to explore themes of faith, doubt, and redemption.
Cultural Assimilation	How do the characters navigate between assimilation and cultural preservation?	The story examines the tension between assimilating into mainstream society and preserving cultural heritage.
Generational Divide	How do different generations interpret and cope with the legacy of the Holocaust?	Englander contrasts the perspectives of older and younger characters to explore generational differences in understanding trauma.

Short Questions/Answers about/on “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

• Question: How does the Anne Frank game expose the characters’ hidden anxieties?
• Answer: The game forces characters to face the possibility of needing to hide from persecution, revealing their fears of antisemitism and vulnerability. Shoshana’s apocalyptic scenarios and distrust of neighbors show how historical trauma continues to haunt them.
• Question: Why is the reveal of the neighbors’ potential kindness so significant?
• Answer: This revelation challenges the assumption that only fellow Jews would be willing to help. It highlights the irony of the characters’ judgmental attitudes and undermines their sense of community based solely on religious identity.
• Question: How does Debbie’s character challenge romanticized views of the Holocaust?
• Answer: Debbie seeks profound meaning in survivors’ stories, yet the story she retells is one of chance reunions, not heroism. This shows how the reality of survival is often less dramatic and reveals the limits of understanding such trauma from the outside.
• Question: Does the story offer any resolution or clear answers?
• Answer: No, the story ends ambiguously. While the characters go through a process of sorts, fundamental tensions about faith, history, and identity remain unresolved. This reflects the ongoing, complex nature of these themes in the lives of those touched by the Holocaust’s legacy.

Literary Works Similar to “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

1. “The Shawl” by Cynthia Ozick – This short story explores the trauma of the Holocaust through the experiences of a Jewish mother and her child in a concentration camp. Like Englander’s work, it delves into themes of survival, memory, and the lasting effects of trauma.
2. Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer – Foer’s novel follows a young Jewish-American man traveling to Ukraine in search of the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis. It combines elements of history, humor, and surrealism, much like Englander’s storytelling style.
3. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss – This novel weaves together multiple narratives, including one about a Holocaust survivor, to explore themes of love, loss, and the power of storytelling. Like Englander’s work, it reflects on the intergenerational impact of historical trauma.
4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – Set in Nazi Germany, this novel follows a young girl named Liesel who steals books to share them with others and finds solace in storytelling during a time of upheaval. It shares Englander’s focus on the power of literature and the human capacity for resilience in the face of adversity.
5. “Everything You Need” by A. L. Kennedy – Kennedy’s collection of short stories explores the complexities of human relationships and the search for connection in a fragmented world. While not directly focused on the Holocaust, like Englander’s work, it delves into themes of identity, memory, and moral responsibility.

Suggested Readings about/on “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

Books

• Perrotta, Tom, and Heidi Pitlor, eds. The Best American Short Stories 2012. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012.

Articles

• Hoffman, Emily. “The hybrid homage: Nathan Englander’s what we talk about when we talk about Anne Frank.” The Explicator 72.1 (2014): 45-48.
• Flanzbaum, Hilene. “Nathan Englander’s’ Anne Frank’and the future of Jewish America.” New Directions in Jewish American and Holocaust Literatures. Reading and Teaching. Albany: SUNY (2019): 205-222.
• Miller, Samantha. What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank: Re-Forming Holocaust Memory through the Fictional Narratives of Cynthia Ozick, Philip Roth, and Nathan Englander. Diss. Arizona State University, 2020.
• Pinsker, Sanford. “ANNE FRANK AND THE” WHAT IF?” SCHOOL OF FICTION.” (2014): 340-344.

Websites

• Nathan Englander’s Website: https://nathanenglander.com/ (May offer insights or interviews regarding the story)
• Penguin Random House Reading Guide: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/217135/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-anne-frank-by-nathan-englander/9780307949608/readers-guide/ (Includes discussion questions provided by the publisher)

Representative Quotations from “What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank” by Nathan Englander

Quote	Context
“If we had what you have down here in South Florida… We’d have no troubles at all.”	Mark comparing their life in Jerusalem to the perceived comfort in South Florida.
“You do have what we have… All of it. Sun and palm trees… At this point, we’ve probably got more Israelis than you.”	The narrator pointing out similarities between their lives in Florida and Mark’s assumptions about their lifestyle.
“Even terrorists.”	Mark’s cynical remark about the presence of terrorists in Florida, highlighting a tense political context.
“Wrong sides of the tracks. Space upon space.”	Mark reflecting on the spatial differences between their lives in Florida and Jerusalem.
“All this house… Can you imagine?”	Mark expressing awe at the size of the narrator’s house compared to their own situation.
“Ten kids… We could get you a reality show.”	Humorous exchange about the large family size and its potential for a reality TV show.
“You want some water? Coke in the can? Whiskey’s kosher, too, right?”	The narrator offering hospitality with a touch of humor.
“Two girls from Forest Hills… Who ever thought we’d be the mothers of grownups?”	Lauren reflecting on their journey from childhood friends to mothers of adult children.
“I don’t shake… But I’m so happy to see you. Like meeting my own son.”	Lauren’s emotional response to seeing Deb’s son, expressing maternal affection despite cultural norms.
“That’s how we cope.”	Lauren’s response to Deb’s question about managing ten kids, humorously implying that alcohol helps.