Once
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Pages 1–8 Pages 9–17 Pages 18–28 Pages 29–40 Pages 41–52 Pages 53–61 Pages 62–71 Pages 72–80 Pages 81–90 Pages 91–98 Pages 99–111 Pages 112–120 Pages 121–131 Pages 132–143 Pages 144–152 Pages 153–161 Pages 162–163
Themes
All Themes Storytelling Innocence and Ignorance Antisemitism vs. Human Dignity Family Morality, Violence, and Complicity 
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Felix Salinger Zelda Barney Mother Minka Dodie The Nazi Officer Chaya Jankiel Henryk Jacob Father Ludwik
Symbols
All Symbols Notebook Carrots
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Once

by

Morris Gleitzman

Upgrade to A+
Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Pages 1–8
  • Pages 9–17
  • Pages 18–28
  • Pages 29–40
  • Pages 41–52
  • Pages 53–61
  • Pages 62–71
  • Pages 72–80
  • Pages 81–90
  • Pages 91–98
  • Pages 99–111
  • Pages 112–120
  • Pages 121–131
  • Pages 132–143
  • Pages 144–152
  • Pages 153–161
  • Pages 162–163
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Storytelling Theme Icon
    Storytelling
  • Innocence and Ignorance Theme Icon
    Innocence and Ignorance
  • Antisemitism vs. Human Dignity Theme Icon
    Antisemitism vs. Human Dignity
  • Family Theme Icon
    Family
  • Morality, Violence, and Complicity   Theme Icon
    Morality, Violence, and Complicity 
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Felix Salinger
  • Zelda
  • Barney
  • Mother Minka
  • Dodie
  • The Nazi Officer
  • Chaya
  • Jankiel
  • Henryk
  • Jacob
  • Father Ludwik
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • Notebook Symbol Icon
    Notebook
  • Carrots Symbol Icon
    Carrots
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
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Download the Teacher Edition
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Previous
Father Ludwik

Once Symbols

Next
Notebook

Notebook

In Once, Felix’s notebook represents his love of escapist stories, a love that evolves as Felix slowly realizes stories are not a replacement for reality but a tool to shape reality. Felix’s parents…

read analysis of Notebook

Notebook Symbol Icon

Carrots

In Once, carrots represent the hope that Felix tries to inspire in others under horrific circumstances. At the novel’s beginning, Felix finds a whole carrot in his soup at the remote Catholic orphanage where…

read analysis of Carrots

Carrots Symbol Icon
Previous
Father Ludwik
Previous
Father Ludwik
Next
Notebook
Next
Notebook

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