Alex Steiner feels conflicted when he regards the plight of the Jews in Germany. What part does Nazi propaganda play in his conflicted feelings? How typical do you imagine his thoughts on Jews were at the time?

Rudy's father, a tailor who does not hate the Jews, but was somewhat relieved when the Jewish tailors competing with him were driven out of town. Alex refuses to let Rudy be inducted into an Army training academy and is punished with conscription. Alex is perplexed over Nazi propaganda but fears for the safety of his family. I think this might have been a common sentiment among Germans at the time. After the war, Alex, who has lost his entire family in a bombing raid, reopens his store and is kept company by Liesel.