Besides learning about his grandfather's secret love child and coming to grips with Geertrui's assisted death in Postcards from No Man's Land, Jacob's other journey is figuring out who he is. But identity isn't just about what's inside Jacob—it's also about his relationships with family and friends, and society in general.
A big part of identity here is figuring out where you fit in, which is pretty hard for most young people, and Jacob's no exception. Instead of being comfortable in his own skin, he's confused by his emotions and ideas—so he's got to figure out how we wants to live and what he wants to do before he can really be cool with himself.
Questions About Identity
- Do any other characters (besides Jacob) seem to have trouble with their identity? Does the younger Geertrui have any troubles with her identity? Why or why not?
- Could you rewrite this book with a younger or an older protagonist? Would this issue of identity be the same if Jacob were in elementary school or was middle-aged?
- How does Jacob ultimately decide who he is? What or who helps him decide?
Chew on This
Jacob creates his identity though those around him—his friends and family—which is why he takes the news about his grandpa so hard.
Even though we learn a lot about Jacob's past, ultimately he gets to decide who he wants to be in his own life, regardless of his family history.