Historically, Heinrich Himmler was the high-ranking Nazi who planned and implemented the Holocaust. In the story, Misha gets a glimpse of Himmler as he’s being driven through the Warsaw ghetto. Misha is convinced that Himmler must wear the most impressive jackboots of all. However, in his eyes, Himmler looks like a scrawny chicken.
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Herr Himmler Character Timeline in Milkweed
The timeline below shows where the character Herr Himmler appears in Milkweed. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 22
...Early one morning, as they lounge around sharing a cigar, they discuss the rumor that Himmler is visiting the ghetto soon. Kuba explains to Misha that Himmler is the Nazis’ second-in-command....
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Chapter 23
When people hear that Himmler is coming, they gather on the street. Misha runs down to see fancy cars parading...
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Chapter 24
...when the orphan boys are joking around about the cow’s existence, Misha speaks up about Himmler. He says he can’t believe that the man who looked like a chicken could possibly...
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Chapter 41
...scallions, and ditch water. He sleeps in the weeds and often hallucinates, seeing Buffo, Uri, Himmler, Doctor Korczak’s orphans, and Mr. Milgrom. He’s used to Janina being there, copying everything he...
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Chapter 44
...no good at selling, but he finds himself blurting out stories from the ghetto—stories about Himmler, burning cows, and merry-go-rounds. Every once in a while, someone stops to listen.
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