5607mk+Whole+by+Whole+Essay

Rules, Rules, and More Rules Imagine a world without any rules. Rules like //no running in school//, //no diving into the pool//, and //no stealing// exist to keep you safe. In the book, //The Devil's Arithmetic,// the protagonist, Chaya experiences following rules from morning to night. Every single day, right after she even opens up her eyes from sleep, come rules, rules, and more rules. In fact, she follows both the camp's rules and her new friend, Rivka's rules. To maintain order, Chaya has to understand and follow all the important rules and remember her own number that she is now called, which is a rule for both the camp's and Rivka's rules. Both the camp and Rivka's rules sound similar but at the same time, they are very different.

The camp expects prisoners to follow many rules. The three-fingered woman, tatooist, and Commandant Breuer constantly demand Jews to do things. One of the rules is not to call attention to yourself and to obey what they say. Every time you don't, you get disciplines each time. Also, another rule is to move quickly. If they don't move quick enough, comes bad, bad consequences. Most rules apply to keep them healthy enough to work for the Nazis. That way, Nazis don't have to work at all.

Rivka, who has been in the concentration camp since she was little, also has rules. One rule she keeps in mind is to make your number be part of you. Rivka classifies her identity using the digits of her given number. Also, another rule is to tell and help little children to keep them safe from being caught by the commandant. For example, when the commandant comes around the camp, the little children have to hide in the midden, because what Commandant Breuer doesn't see doesn't exist. When he does spot kids running around, he gives discipline to the child. Another rule is to know when to fight and not to. This means not to get in somebody's way, when they are depressed and is already giving up their lives. Rivka has made these rules up to protect herself and others, to survive, help Jews keep their humanity, and to help the Jews remember their past. Even though the rules in //The Devil's Arithmetic// seem hard to remember, if you know Rivka's rules you can at least stay alive at the fearsome camp. Both the camp's and Rivka's rules sound harsh, but at the same time, the rules help you survive. Almost anywhere in this world, outside, school, and even at your house! To keep safe, all you have to do is follow the rules. Don't get overwhelmed by how many rules there are, already! There's more rules, rules, and more rules waiting on your way!