Question

Why does Annemarie think that Great Aunt Birte does not exist?

Do you think her suspicion is correct? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Annemarie thinks that Great Aunt Birte does not exist because she has never seen or heard about her, but her suspicion is not correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Annemarie thinks that Great Aunt Birte does not exist because she has never seen or heard about her. She believes that her parents made up the story of Great Aunt Birte to protect her from the truth about the war and the dangers it poses. Annemarie's suspicion is not correct because it is later revealed that Great Aunt Birte does exist, but she is in fact dead.

Answer 2

Annemarie's suspicions are first raised when she hears her uncle and mother engaging in unusual conversations. Shortly after, Mama tells Annemarie that there will be a funeral that night for her great-aunt Birte. Annemarie is further confused because she knows that she does not have a great-aunt named Birte, and in addition, no one seems sad that a 'relative' has died.