Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 is regarded as the event that triggered the start of World War II. Describe the scene at the onset of the war. Who were the main participants in the war? What was life like in Poland when the Germans attacked? Describe how Poland was affected during World War II and specifically during the Holocaust.

Teaching Suggestion: Students will likely have a cursory understanding of the forces and primary events that animated World War II; they may also know that Auschwitz-Birkenau, located in Poland, was one of the largest and most brutal concentration camp during the Holocaust. That said, students may be lacking in background on how Poland, specifically, fared during World War II. For a more nuanced understanding of The Cage, it will be helpful to spend time guiding students through a Polish-focused history of the war. Consider accessing or sharing these or similar resources with students to help inform this work.

• “Invasion of Poland, Fall 1939” is a short article from the online Holocaust Encyclopedia that gives key facts and other contextual background regarding Germany’s invasion of Poland.