Camp Rules and Rivka's Rules

     In the book, The Devil's Arithmetic, there are many rules. There are the Nazi's rules, and there are Rivka's rules. They both maintain order or boundaries, and they both help you survive. Have you ever been given two rules by two people that you have to follow, and they are to do totally different things? If you have not, try to put yourself in Hannah's position.

     The rules in the concentration camp are very strict. Not only the Nazis give them, but the commandant, the tattooist, and the three fingered lady, who Hannah met in the camp. Even Rivka gave some. Some rules are that you must eat, which is intended for the healthy people, so they can stay healthy to work, to not call attention to yourself, and to not complain. This is a rule because if you do, the Nazis will hurt or punish you, which scares the others. And remember what was mentioned before, about how they are both intended to help you survive? Well, the only rules that help you survive in the camp are the ones for the healthy people. 

     Rivka's rules on the other hand, are ALL to help you survive. One of her rules is to not stand next to a Greek. This is a rule because if you do, Greeks will get you in a lot of trouble, if you know what I mean. Another rule is to not go to the hospital, go to Sarah. Sarah is the person who checks all the cloths and if she finds something, she gives it to the Nazis. But, when she finds medicine, she puts it in her pocket. This intended to help you survive longer because if you go to the hospital, they think you are week, which means you aren't tough enough to work. A third rule is to just play along. This means to just do what they tell you. This is intended, again, to help you stay alive, because they would see that you are tough enough to work.  Do you think Rivka can help Hannah and her friends pull it off and survive?