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During WWII, there was a group called The Resistance. These brave people helped Howard, Steve's dad, and others to safety. Sometimes the men had to bounce from house to house, never staying in one place for too long.

Speak about their bravery. If you were there during this time, would be a part of The Resistance? Explain why or why not.

Their actions took incredible bravery, they knew the risks that harboring the airmen would bring but did it anyway. It's heartbreaking that such bravery and sacrifice ended up in them losing their homes or even their lives.

I'd like to think that I would have had the courage to join the Resistance, had I been in that situation. The Nazis were ruthless, and they killed people for far less than aiding their enemies, so I may have thought "why not?" Better to die fighting than submit to being kicked to death!

I have tremendous respect for those brave civilians who put their lives on the line to aid Allied servicemen and hinder German soldiers as much as possible. There were also those who helped Jews and other "undesirables" evade capture by the Germans, and although this book did not focus on that aspect of the Resistance, we mustn't forget their efforts, either. During a time of unspeakable evil, all of these brave men and women were lights shining in the darkness.

LivreAmour217 wrote:I'd like to think that I would have had the courage to join the Resistance, had I been in that situation. The Nazis were ruthless, and they killed people for far less than aiding their enemies, so I may have thought "why not?" Better to die fighting than submit to being kicked to death!

I have tremendous respect for those brave civilians who put their lives on the line to aid Allied servicemen and hinder German soldiers as much as possible. There were also those who helped Jews and other "undesirables" evade capture by the Germans, and although this book did not focus on that aspect of the Resistance, we mustn't forget their efforts, either. During a time of unspeakable evil, all of these brave men and women were lights shining in the darkness.

Ditto!

I would also like to think that I would have had the courage to join the Resistance, as it was the right and moral thing to do.

I like to think that I would have had the courage to join the Resistance, but who can say for sure? I can't even imagine how terrifying it must have been knowing that you were doing something you could lose your life over. It is absolutely incredible that so many people were willing to join the Resistance, even knowing the risk it posed to themselves and their families. I cannot fathom how much courage it must have taken to be able to do something like that when you have no idea who to trust and have to pretend that you are for something you are not. Your own neighbour might turn you in to the authorities! I think that WWII in general showed the most extremes in human nature. That mankind has the potential for great cruelty, but also great compassion and courage.

Sitting in the comforts of my home and having the privilege of living in the free country of the United States of America, I think, or would like to think for that matter, that I would unquestionably take a stand against the evil plaguing my fellow citizens. This scenario may not be too different from most who are faced with such a question, however one must remember that this conclusion was made in a world so far away. Though I may strive to see the world from their shoes, it is impossible to experience the same amount of pressure and temptation to take the easy way out. Living in the 21st century without the same level of turmoil, I have not been tested and challenged in the same way that those boys have. It is easy to claim that we are all brave but we cannot truly know what our values really are until we are faced with that very decision in person. We would be surprised at what we are capable of or incapable of when put in such a time of desperation. For it is during times like this that human selfishness becomes stronger than the values we are taught.

Nitya wrote:Sitting in the comforts of my home and having the privilege of living in the free country of the United States of America, I think, or would like to think for that matter, that I would unquestionably take a stand against the evil plaguing my fellow citizens. This scenario may not be too different from most who are faced with such a question, however one must remember that this conclusion was made in a world so far away. Though I may strive to see the world from their shoes, it is impossible to experience the same amount of pressure and temptation to take the easy way out. Living in the 21st century without the same level of turmoil, I have not been tested and challenged in the same way that those boys have. It is easy to claim that we are all brave but we cannot truly know what our values really are until we are faced with that very decision in person. We would be surprised at what we are capable of or incapable of when put in such a time of desperation. For it is during times like this that human selfishness becomes stronger than the values we are taught.

I agree with this.

I actually cried while reading about the Resistance. I can't imagine the amount of bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty one would need to put oneself in danger like that to help others. The things they went through in order to help was so touching and heart-warming and I found myself so heartbroken when reading about how some of them died or lost everything.

I've always been interested in this time period of history. I love known from a very young age that I would've been part of the Resistance if I had been born during that time. This has not changed as I've grown older. I would not be able to sit around and watch as innocent people suffered.

The "fifth column" or resistance was an incredibly important part of the allies winning the war. It gave hope to the airmen that were shot down and was a constant bother to the Nazi war machine. We owe a lot to this group. Unfortunately, most of us would have been like to majority of the people who lived then, silent. I'm currently reading "Breaking the Veil of Silence" by Jobst Bittner about modern day (third and fourth generation) Germans seeking reconciliation with Holocaust victims. It makes me wonder how many other "reconciliations" present day generations need to make for their ancestor's guilt. Oppression of slaves is just one that comes to mind. So maybe its not too late for us to join the "resistance".

I would definitely want to be a part of The Resistance. It takes a lot of courage to do what they did and I solute them for their bravery.

This is a thought-provoking question. While I do imagine myself to be a part of the Resistance and saving Allied servicemen, whether I would have been able to do so in reality, I can't say. This is because men who were part of the Resistance were brave souls who took a lot of risks to save the war heroes. It takes unimaginable courage to be like them. Hence, until such a situation arises, it's hard to say if I will be spurred to action or remain a silent spectator.

I don't feel brave enough at this moment to become a member of the Resistance. I can't imagine living with fear every moment, and of being discovered and being beaten up or shot. But in the heat of battle, when one's hatred of the enemy would be as bitter as aloe, and one's friends were threatened; well that might be different. What a parent would do for a child, is also different to what those same parents would do for themselves. Thanks for the review.

What they did and went through took a lot of courage because they knew the consequences they could face and was so tragic that it had cost their homes and lives in some situations.

I think I'd presume that I would want to join the Resistance rather than cower in fear. But I would never know until I am in the situation.