Is anyone doing "Un sac de billes"?

indeed i am doing it. the major influences on the boys in my opinion are... well each other for starters. brotherhood seems to be an important element, as does growing up, which i supposed is catalysed in the younger brother by witnessing his older brother.

What are the major influences on the two boys?

Also, does anyone have any good revision resources for this book?

thanks

I think the point where Jo was held at gun point, is when it suddenly dawned on him that this whole thing was no longer a game. Before, being the child, I think he viewed the whole war thing as being some kind of adventure...that perception suddenly stopped there. Before, his childlike naivity formed a kind of barrier to the fear...I think for the first time, that fear came out fully at that point.

i'm studying it too...i was planning on reading the book again, but i have a psychology paper on the same day and it looks like i wont have time so i think i'm going to settle for reading the english summary and hope they dont ask any hugely detailed questions.

Here are some past Qs for reference, if you didnt have them already - along with answer summary thingies for the questions i've previously written answers to:

June 2004
a) Faites le portrait du Maurice. A votre avis, quelles differences y a-t-il entre son frere et lui?

I did this one in a mock we had...basically I planned it out like this
- intro section about brotherhood, how close they are, but also about how maurice always seems to be in the lead and jo must follow in his footsteps.
- the game of marbles at the beginning where jo cries and maurice returns jo's marbles ~ illustrates Jo's vulnerability and Maurice's generosity/caring attitude
- when they leave home, they are scared at first but the voyage strengthens their bond.
- Maurice demonstrates his intelligence and independence when they cross the ligne de demarcation - works all night and puts himself in danger to make money for him and his brother ~ generosity
- something the brothers have in common is their 'debrouillardise' and quick thinking - eg. at the end of the novel when they both make their way back to Paris separately.
- Maurice is more intelligent than Jo and mocks him a little - eg. when their mother gives Maurice his star and he says that "[il] va aussi avoir [sa] medaille"
- However, most of the time you can see that they are just joking and the brothers get along very well
- One difference between them is that Jo is more naive than Maurice and finds it more difficult to understand the reality of the war. ~ Maurice can go out at night to make money as a 'passeur', while Joseph is still trying to understand the war and the discrimination against the Jews.
- This is mainly due to the age difference ~ Maurice is more mature than Jo
- We also know that Jo doesnt want to be the little brother but wants to be treated like an adult and be more like his brother Maurice

- conclusion: the most incredible thing about the story is how the brothers manage to survive not only in a world of adults but in a world of war and anti-semitism. Joffo demonstrates that there is only one thing they need: brotherhood. And despite their differences, there is one things that always remains, and that is the strong bond between the two brothers.

b) Racontez ce qui arrive aux enfants a l'hotel excelsior. Evaluez l'importance de cet episode dans le roman.


June 2002
a) Que fait le pere Joffo pour preparer ses fils pour leur voyage? A votre avis, par quels moyens reussissent-ils a survivre?

b) Racontez au moins deux incidents ou quelqu'un vient en aide aux enfants. Cette histoire nous permet-elle d'etre optimiste ou pessimiste sur la nature humaine?


2001
a) Decrivez la journee que les freres Joffo ont passee a Marseille. Qu'est-ce que cette episode contribue a l'histoire et en quoi nous aide-t-il a comprendre les deux garcons?

b) "Il nous ecouta avec le calme bienveillant qu'aucune catastrophe ne semblait pouvoir ebranler?. Faites la description de Subinagui. Quelle est l'importance de ce personnage dans l'histoire?


2000
a) Decrivez les diffrentes sortes de resistance et de collaboration qu'on voit chez les personnages dans ce livre. A votre avis, lequel de ces personnafes exerce la plus grande influence sur les evenements? Expliquez votre choix.

b) Vers la fin du livre, Joseph Joffo dit que, a cause de ses experiences, il a perdu son enfance. Racontez les evenements dans le livre qui contribuent a cette perte. A votre avis, jusqu'a quel point ces experiences ont-elles un cote positif?


Jan. 99
a) Decrivez la vie de Joseph chez les Mancelier. Que represente cette famille, et quelle est leur attitude envers Joseph?

b) Expliquez commment le cure a bord du train, et la dame qui tient la boutique a Montlucon aide les deux garcons. Lequel des personnages qui viennent en aide aux garcons admirez-vous le plus? Donnez les raisons de votre choix.

June 99
a) Decrivez les experiences de Joseph et Maurice quand ils sont a la Moisson Nouvelle. A votre avis, que leur apportent ces experiences?

b) Dans quelles circonstances les billes, l'etoile jaune et les musettes paraissant-elles dans ce livre? Quelle est la signification de ces objets?

1998
a) Choissisez l'episode dans ce livre qui vous semble le plus significatif. Expliquez comment cet eisode s'est produit et pourquoi vous l'avez choisi.

b) Quels sont les traits de caractere qui differencient Maurice et Joseph Joffo? Jusqu'a quel point les rapports entre ces deux freres changent-ils au cours du livre?

1997
a) Why do you think Joffo chose this title for the book? To what extent do you consider it appropriate? Support your answer with precise references to the text.

b) 'Et finalement ces quatre annees de l'Occupation m'ont apporte une philosophie. Je me suis par la suite senti bien plus fort pour affronter la vie de tous les jours, ses pieges, ses echecs, ses deceptions.'
Select two episodes in the book and show what you think they taught Joseph Joffo about life. Support your answer with precise references to the text.



Sorry, there may be some typing errors in there, and the answers may be a bit dodgy cause i translated them straight from the French versions and typed it out from my own notes and stuff. and also because its 1 am. but i hope it helps. I actually have essay plans for pretty much all of those questions, but I didn't know if they would be of any use and also got kinda lazy. Anyway, I can put them up here as well if any of you would find it useful.


As far as revision sites go, there isnt much except the www.sacdebilles.co.uk site (as previously mentioned) but I've also found some semi-useful stuff at http://b8.stradax.net/misc/un_sac_de_billes.html

What are the major influences on the two boys?

Also, does anyone have any good revision resources for this book?

thanks