CPLT 389W Lecture 3: Lecture 3 Notes_CPLT 389W
25 Jun 2018
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DORA BRUDER NOTES
The story, which is part fiction, part memoir, begins with the author, Patrick Modiano, reflecting
on different periods of his life in Paris, France. He recalls what the city used to look like, and
how many buildings and businesses have changed since his childhood. He then tells us about
an ad he saw in an old newspaper from the 1940's that read, ''Missing, a young girl, Dora
Bruder, age 15...''
The author/narrator goes back and forth between what he saw and experienced as a child, and
his present-day search for information about Dora and her family: where she went to school, her
date of birth, and what actually happened to her. Through this process, Modiano learns about
her working-class parents, their immigrant status, and the town where Dora grew up.
Dora's father's, Ernest, was from Vienna, and assumed to be Jewish. He and his family lived a
decent, working-class life; and, as the narrator discovers, Ernest was enlisted in the Foreign
Legion, traveled frequently for war, and was disabled.
Dora's mother, Cecile, was from Budapest and had to move frequently due to the political
climate there. Cecile's family were believed to be Russian Jews; however, not much more is
known about them, or about Cecile's past, including when and where she met Ernest and
married.
Modiano contacts the Bruders' niece who confirms they lived in hotels, and that Ernest was a
kind man. She shares some pictures of Dora, her family, and the scenery; some of which are
depicted in the book. However, one thing is clear: very little is known about Dora Bruder, except
that she had a rebellious and independent spirit.
Modiano learns Dora was enrolled in a Christian boarding school in 1940. However, it was also
documented that she ran away in December, 1941. Our narrator wonders why Dora would have
been sent to this type of school, but history tells us that Austrians were sent to internment
camps during this time. Was the family trying to hide her? And if so, from what?
In October 1940, the government decreed that all Jews must register with the police; Ernest
registered himself and Cecile, but not Dora. It's at this point in the story that Modiano
acknowledges how much he doesn't know about Dora, but carries hope that he will find
something.
Document Summary
The story, which is part fiction, part memoir, begins with the author, patrick modiano, reflecting on different periods of his life in paris, france. He recalls what the city used to look like, and how many buildings and businesses have changed since his childhood. He then tells us about an ad he saw in an old newspaper from the 1940"s that read, ""missing, a young girl, dora. Through this process, modiano learns about her working-class parents, their immigrant status, and the town where dora grew up. Dora"s father"s, ernest, was from vienna, and assumed to be jewish. He and his family lived a decent, working-class life; and, as the narrator discovers, ernest was enlisted in the foreign. Legion, traveled frequently for war, and was disabled. Dora"s mother, cecile, was from budapest and had to move frequently due to the political climate there.
