Un Sac de Billes - Quotes

<< Les écoliers étaient en noir >>

The children in the school wear black, foreshadowing the mourning which will take place after the war.

<< Je sais que tu chiales >>

Jo and Maurice know each other's behaviour better than anyone else.

<< Samuel avait juste eu le temps de voir l'uniforme >>

Joffo introduces some comedy, Samuel only just manages to cover up the fact that they are Jews.

<< C'est la faute aux Juifs >>

The opinion of the Germans, and far-right French people.

<< Marchant sur des oefs >>

The boys feel as if they are walking on eggshells in their daily lives, because of the uncertainty in France.

<< C'en était fait de l'enfance >>

This was the end of their childhood, they now have to enter the adult world alone.

<< On n'aura pas plus le droit d'aller à l'école >>

The Jewish boys do no longer have the right to go to school, showing the societal changes.

<< Une boule monter dans ma gorge >>

The Jews were living their lives in constant fear of the Germans.

<< C'est quoi, un Juif? >>

At the beginning of the novel Jo does not know what it means to be Jewish, he is young and inexperienced.

<< Les enfants sont avec moi >>

An example of the goodness of other people, the priest on the train pretends the children are with him to protect them.

<< Mon étoile, pour un sac de billes. Ce fut ma première affaire >>

Jo does not understand the importance of wearing his star. This is also the first sign of Jo using his entrepreneurial skills.

<< Merde, la mer >>

The amazement at seeing the sea for the first time, as the boys have always lived in a city.

<< Une ville qui s'appelle Stalingrad >>

An example of Joffo using places as signpoint in the novel, this was the first real sign of a possible loss for the German forces.

<< Moisson Nouvelle >>

The name of the military camp in which the boys are protected under the leadership of Subinagui.

<< N'aie pas peur >>

Jo and Maurice learn the story of Algerian Ange Testi, and decide to use it as their own. Here Jo is reassuring Maurice that he is sure of his backstory.

<< J'essaie de rester impassible >>

Jo is trying to remain impassive and not give anything away to anyone who could persecute him.

<< Toute me semble totalement incomprehensible >>

Jo is still innocent and naïve.

<< La plante de mes pieds, la peau de mes talons ont dû durcir >>

Not only have his soles hardened from all of the walking, but as a child he has matured and grown stronger.

<< Je commence à être connu dans ce village >>

Jo is a well-liked and helpful person, everywhere he goes.

<< Maurice, tu sors >>

Jo cares for his brother, and wants him to go safely. He has grown from crying over his last marble, to knowing they can survive separately.

<< J'ai l'air d'une chenille frileuse >>

Jo has so many layers on he feels like a huge caterpillar.

<< Pour les Allemands, c'est la défaite >>

Another signpost in the novel, now it is the end of warfare.

<< Mon vénéré patron a des ennemis personnels: les Juifs >>

Mancelier hates Jews, but he is unknowingly looking after a Jew.

<< Joseph Joffo, je suis Juif >>

By the end of the novel, Jo has grown to know what it means to be Jewish, and is now sure of his identity.

<< Ils ont tué en moi l'enfant que je pouvais être >>

Joffo on the effect of the war on his childhood, the war killed in him the child that he could have been, because he had to face this turmoil early in his life.