Screen Rant

15 most hilarious jojo rabbit quotes.

If you enjoyed Taika Waititi's offbeat comedy Jojo Rabbit, you'll surely recall these absolutely hilarious quotes.

The best Jojo Rabbit quotes highlight how the Oscar-winning movie pulled off its seemingly impossible tone. Taika Waititi's satire is the kind of movie that should not work but somehow does. It tells the story of Jojo, a young Hitler Youth living in Germany during the final days of World War II. His blind loyalty to the Nazi cause is thrown upside down after discovering a young Jewish girl being hidden in his house by his mother. The movie takes one of the darker periods in history and brings a lot of humor and heart to its story.

Jojo Rabbit is one of the most acclaimed of Taika Waititi's movies even winning him an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. It is that sharp, hilarious and heartbreaking script that features some unforgettable lines. These quotes can be laugh-out-loud lines that show Waititi's sense of humor, devastating lines that speak to the horrors and inhumanity of the time, and pointed lines of satire that beautifully sum up the ignorance of these people so guided by hate. These Jojo Rabbit quotes add to what makes it such an unforgettable experience.

15 "It's Definitely Not A Good Time To Be A Nazi."

Yorki (archie yates).

Perhaps the most important thing this movie achieves is showing how little is accomplished when living a life of hate. Unlike many war movies, the Nazis in Jojo Rabbit are seen only in defeat. The end of the war in Jojo Rabbit sees their movement crumble and showing they achieved nothing. Leave it to Taika Waititi to sum up the end of the Nazis in such a hilarious and simple way. Young Yorki sums it up wonderfully and makes you realize that after all their horrific acts against other people, the Nazis only succeeded in becoming the most despised people in the world.

14 "Oh, This Guy's A Lunatic. Oh, Look At That Psycho, He's Going To Get Us All Killed."

Adolf hitler (taika waititi).

Adolf Hitler's place in history is a man of evil and hatred, but Jojo Rabbit takes the controversial approach of depicting him in a different way. As the imaginary friend of a ten-year-old boy, Hitler is seen in this movie in a more ridiculous way that makes him less scary, perhaps even a bit pathetic. When Jojo is feeling sad about the rest of the Hitler Youth calling him names, Hitler tries to make him feel better. He insists even he is ridiculed sometimes as an unhinged madman. It's not the best motivational speech.

13 "Stop Offering Me Damn Cigarettes! I’m Ten!"

Jojo (roman griffin davis).

Jojo and Hitler make a surprisingly ridiculous pair which works mostly because we see that Hitler is regularly outwitted by a ten-year-old boy. As Hitler gives supposedly inspiring motivational speeches, he continuously offers Jojo a cigarette. The gag continues throughout the movie until Jojo finally gets fed-up and yells at Hitler, " Stop offering me damn cigarettes! I'm ten. " Even for Jojo, the most loyal Hitler Youth, Hitler can be a really annoying idiot.

12 "Now She's Got Two Knives."

Despite claiming to be a member of the so-called "Master Race", Jojo certainly seems like a scared and weak little boy. And his imaginary Hitler isn't any tougher. Once they discover the young Jewish girl Elsa hiding in the house, she takes his Hitler Youth knife. Jojo regains his courage and another knife to face Elsa again. Once again, she easily disarms him. Embarrassed and frustrated, Jojo and Hitler regroup but Hitler seems mostly concerned with how she keeps taking all the knives. " How are you going to chop up stuff, " he wonders.

11 "We're Like You, But Human."

Elsa (thomasin mckenzie).

Elsa is the real hero of this story, showing strength and wisdom in the face of her terrible situation. She also cleverly tears down Jojo's belief system in the hateful Nazi movement by simply pointing out its stupidity. Jojo attempts to use her to learn more about the Jewish people and write a book on the subject. She begins by giving him a simple explanation as to who the Jewish people are, saying " We're like you, but human. " It's a funny and thoughtful insult to anyone who would share Jojo's ignorant view of people who are different from him.

RELATED: Is Jojo Rabbit Based On A True Story?

10 "It Took Him Three Weeks To Get Over The Fact That His Grandfather Was Not Blond."

Rosie (scarlett johansson).

It's very strange to see an adorable ten-year-old boy depicted as being so obsessed with Nazis and buying into their foolish beliefs. However, the film does a great job of showing that these ridiculous philosophies are the kind of thing only a naïve child would believe. When Jojo's mother Rosie talks about how her son has become this fanatic, we see that his loyalty to the Nazi Party is beyond ludicrous. If the color of his grandfather's hair is enough to send him over the edge, it's a hint that these beliefs might be pretty foolish.

9 "I'm Unemployed And Quite Fat Now."

The relationship between Jojo and Elsa, the Jewish girl hiding in his house, is the real heart of the film. Jojo tries his best to get her out of the house, but there's only so much a ten-year-old kid can do. After learning of Elsa's fiancé, Nathan, he decides to write her a letter from the boy. His attempt to fool Elsa isn't very convincing, but he nonetheless puts a lot of work into the letter in which "Nathan" explains he wants to break off their engagement. It ends with "Nathan" saying he lied about fighting in the resistance and is actually "unemployed and quite fat now".

8 "I Gotta Go, We're Having Unicorn For Dinner At My Place Tonight."

One of the most entertaining aspects of the film is Jojo's imaginary friend who happens to be Adolf Hitler , played by Waititi himself. While it might be hard for some to see a humorous take on one of the vilest people in history, the movie shows him through Jojo's eyes, making him a foolish character. It's interesting seeing Hitler as the real-life leader of the Nazi party whom Jojo idolizes, mixed with the imaginary world of a ten-year-old's mind. For him to go from discussing how to deal with Elsa to talking about feasting on unicorn is a great example of the outrageous tone of the film.

7 "Oh, It's So Sad For You. You've Lost Your Mind."

Scarlett Johansson delivers another Oscar-nominated performance in this film as Jojo's mother Rosie. Unlike the other people in town, Rosie is a genuinely good person who longs for an end to the war and risks her life to keep Jojo and Elsa safe. It is also a role that allows Johansson to show off her comedic chops. Rosie jokes around and teases Jojo, bringing laughter into the harsh world. When Jojo says he heard his dead sister's ghost upstairs, Rosie simply responds by mocking Jojo as a crazy person. It shows the silly and sweet way of dealing with her son that makes the death of Jojo's mother all the more heartbreaking.

6 "I Think You'll Find That Metal Is The Strongest Thing On The Earth Followed By Dynamite And Then Muscles."

Part of what makes Jojo such an interesting character is that he takes the Nazi cause so seriously while still being a small child who doesn't really know what he's talking about. He refutes any argument against the Nazis with such conviction, even when what he's saying sounds ridiculous. His mother tries to tell him that there's more to life than these warped ideologies, explaining that love is more powerful and is the strongest thing in the world. Jojo immediately thinks this is ridiculous as he can name many things stronger than love.

5 "We'll Burn Down The House And Blame Winston Churchill."

As uncomfortable as the image of Hitler is, the movie thankfully makes him out to be a buffoon at every possible opportunity. Jojo is the one who does all the thinking while Hitler whines like a child. Whenever he does come up with plans, they are always terrible. After finding Elsa in the house, Jojo and Hitler try to come up with a solution to get rid of her. While Jojo suggests they negotiate, Hitler's idea is a more drastic step. Again, it can be uncomfortable to laugh with Hitler on screen, but at least we're laughing at the fact that he's an idiot.

4 "Finkel, I Meant We Need Dogs For When A City Is Attacked, Not Actual German Shepherds."

Captain klenzendorf (sam rockwell).

Sam Rockwell gives another of the film's memorable performances as Captain K, the disillusioned and incompetent commander of the Hitler Youth. He is a man who misses being on the front lines and takes great satisfaction in planning the town's defenses against the Allied forces. However, he has to make do with what he has. After his right-hand man Finkle brings him actual German shepherds instead of the dogs he requested, Captain K loses his cool. However, he is quick to apologize to Finkle and admits it's a stupid name for a dog.

3 "You Were Chosen By A Pathetic Little Man Who Can't Even Grow A Full Mustache."

Elsa is another key aspect of the film and Thomasin MacKenzie gives a fantastic performance in the role. She infuses her with heartbreak over what she has gone through while still allowing her to be a strong person. One of her best scenes comes early in Elsa and Jojo's relationship . After Jojo claims the Jewish people are weak, Elsa overpowers him and proves how wrong he is. She says her people were chosen by God while he was chosen by a " pathetic little man who can't even grow a full mustache ". It's another great example of pointing out the obvious flaws in Jojo's beliefs.

2 "F**k off Hitler."

As the film goes on, Jojo gradually realizes he is not the kind of person who truly believes in the ideologies he has been spewing. His friendship with Elsa shows him this and he moves away from his Nazi ways. This causes a rift in his friendship with imaginary Hitler resulting in a hilarious confrontation at the end. As Hitler pathetically pleads with Jojo to come back to the losing side, Jojo does something we all wish we could do, he tells him to " f**k off " and kicks him out the window.

1 "Our Only Friends Are The Japanese And Just Between You And Me, They Don't Look Very Aryan."

Though Jojo considers imaginary Hitler to be his best friend, he does have a real friend who is much better. Yorkie, played by the adorable Archie Yates, is a fellow member of the Hitler Youth but spends most of his time being friendly and pointing out how none of their beliefs make sense. When the war is coming to an end, Yorki laments that the entire world is against Germany except for the Japanese. But as he wisely points out, their only remaining allies don't seem to match Hitler's description of the Aryan race. It's a hilariously spot-on example of the cowardly hypocrisy of the Nazis that is all throughout Jojo Rabbit .

What is JoJo Rabbit About - Video Essay and Analysis about the Twist - StudioBinder

  • Scriptwriting

What is Jojo Rabbit About? Synopsis, Quotes, & Video Analysis

D irector Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit was the anti-hate satire that many felt was needed at this precise point in history. Modern-day intolerance was challenged through the lens of a period piece comedy with a big heart. What is  Jojo Rabbit about? We’ll start with a synopsis before jumping into our Jojo Rabbit analysis and how Waititi set us up for the ultimate emotional gut-punch. SPOILER ALERT!

Watch: Jojo Rabbit – How to Direct a Gut-Punch 

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Jojo Rabbit Synopsis

What is  jojo rabbit  about.

Jojo Rabbit follows a 10-year-old boy named Johannes Betzler, an idealistic yet misguided Hitler Youth during WWII. He lives with his mother, Rosie, and is often visited by an imaginary friend — a cartoonish version of Adolf Hitler. 

While attending Hitler Youth Training Camp, Jojo is injured while mishandling a grenade. While recovering from his injuries, Jojo discovers that his mother has been secretly hiding a young Jewish girl named Elsa in their attic.

Jojo is now stuck — revealing this hideaway to the authorities would get both he and his mother executed. Instead, his plan is to learn as much as he can about Jews so he can provide this intel to his superiors. 

This plan backfires when his conversations reveal Elsa to be anything but the evil monster he assumed she was. For more on the plot, tone and satire at work in Jojo Rabbit , here's the trailer.

Jojo Rabbit Trailer

Jojo rabbit director, how taika waititi uses motifs.

Jojo Rabbit director Taika Waititi is no stranger to the motif. He has been crafting and implementing compelling motifs in film since all the way back in his TV days, working on episodes of the excellent 2007 HBO show Flight of the Conchords .

MOTIF DEFINITION

What is a motif in film.

A  motif  is a repeated narrative element that supports the theme of a story. A motif in film can be presented in a number of ways like physical items, sound design, lines of dialogue, music, colors, and symbols. Any motif used will vastly improve your story if it has  narrative significance . 

Visual motifs in film use recurring patterns through props, set design, costumes, symbols, and events to support the intended theme of a story.

Examples of motifs in film:

  • The American flag in  Silence of the Lambs
  • Mirrors in  Black Swan
  • The color red in  The Sixth Sense
  • Clocks in  Back to the Future

In Jojo Rabbit , Waititi uses motifs for one purpose — to make the most emotional scene in the movie like a punch to the gut. We've seen these motifs throughout the film but we aren't quite sure of their significance until the most devastating moment...

SPOILER ALERT!

Jojo's mother is hanged for treason.

As we break down the Jojo Rabbit hanging scene, you’ll find that there are two important visual motifs at play in the hanging scene: the butterflies and the mother’s shoes.

To see these repeated visuals clearly for our Jojo Rabbit analysis we’ll bring the scene into a StudioBinder storyboard . First, let's look at our first motif — butterflies. 

What is Jojo Rabbit About - Jojo Rabbit - Butterfly Motif - StudioBinder Storyboard Software

Jojo Rabbit  •  Storyboard of butterfly shots  •   View Storyboard

Earlier on in Jojo Rabbit, Waititi introduced butterflies as an important image. A particular feeling and emotion have been attached to the symbol, which sets us up even more for the emotional gut-punch to come after Jojo follows a particular blue butterfly.

More striking than the butterfly imagery, is the mother’s distinctive pair of shoes — the second important visual motif. 

Rosie's Shoes

Rosie's Shoes

Even the simplest Jojo Rabbit analysis reveals these shoes to hold tremendous significance. The mother’s shoes had great importance placed on them right from the Jojo Rabbit script. This pair of shoes is all we need to see in order to register the horrible truth of Rosie’s death by hanging at the gallows.

Setups and payoffs are an intrinsic part of writing. The best setups don’t feel like setups while they’re happening, and Jojo Rabbit director Taika Waititi constructs this particular setup masterfully. He has repeatedly shown us these shoes in this particular framing in lighthearted contexts, so that the image of her hanging, dead, hits us extra hard.

What is Jojo Rabbit About - Jojo Rabbit - Rosie's Shoes Motif - StudioBinder Storyboard Software

Jojo Rabbit  •  Rosie’s shoes  •   View Storyboard

A good director thinks about the composition of every single shot in their film. They know, for example, the rules of composition  — when to follow them and when to break them.

Waititi used a very particular and odd compositional motif. You may have even registered their oddness while watching the film but their purpose isn't revealed until the critical moment. That's how a great director plans and executes a visual motif.

Jojo Rabbit analysis

How to shift tone.

For the next stage of our Jojo Rabbit analysis, we’re turning our attention to the complex matter of shifting tone. An abrupt change of tone can instantly break a viewer’s immersion and take them out of the film. Navigating a tonal shift takes careful planning at all levels, starting with the Jojo Rabbit script.

Waititi chose satire as the ideal vehicle to shape his message. Specifically, the film falls under a type called Menippean satire, which we explain in this video.

3 Types of Satire Explained  •   Subscribe on YouTube

The difference in tone between the hanging scene and every scene that preceded it is immediately apparent when endeavoring any Jojo Rabbit analysis. Let’s use StudioBinder's screenwriting software to take a look at the Jojo Rabbit script for closer inspection.

What is Jojo Rabbit About - Full Script - StudioBinder Screenwriting Software

Jojo Rabbit Screenplay  •   Read Full Script

The first indication of the tonal shift in the script comes from this action line which sees Jojo’s imaginary friend manifestation of Hitler losing his friendly, comedic edge. Without removing the element of comedy, the real hate of Hitler’s messaging is beginning to show, tipping to the tone toward the more serious end of the spectrum.

What is Jojo Rabbit About - Adolf's Speech - StudioBinder Screenwriting Software

Jojo Rabbit Screenplay  •  Tonal Shift  •   Read Full Scene

On the visual side, the Jojo Rabbit director strips all of the bright, warm colors out of the image, replacing them with cold, blue tones. For more information on these types of color decisions in post, make sure you understand the difference between  color grading vs. color correction .

The shocking reveal is accompanied by a large slow down of pace. Shots linger on Jojo’s heartbreak and the passage of time is elongated through slow edits.

Tone can be reinforced or magnified through composition. A tonal shift is a great chance to change up the visual style of a film, and Taika Waititi does that in  Jojo Rabbit  by withholding visual information.

Did You Know?

The Jojo Rabbit script was based on the novel ‘Caging Skies.’ The book, written by Christine Leunens, is far darker in tone and ends in a much different manner than the film.

TAIKA WAITITI

How to withhold information.

For the final stage of our  Jojo Rabbit  analysis, we’re focusing on the things that the film’s director chose not to show. The majority of a film’s impact on an audience comes from the visual information that it conveys, but, occasionally, withholding visual information can serve to heighten an emotional moment.

In this scene, the director of  Jojo Rabbit chose not to show Rosie’s face. We know who it is instantly because her striking red and white shoes have been set up perfectly throughout the course of the film. Not allowing us as an audience to see her face is a bold choice; one that adds an extra layer of closeness between Jojo and his mother that the audience doesn’t get to share.

Jojo Rabbit director Taika Waititi planned on using David Bowie’s Heroes as the closing song from the very beginning of his creative process.

When asked about shooting the scene this way, Taika Waititi explained that seeing a dead loved one is an intimate thing and that the audience doesn’t have permission to see what Jojo sees at that moment.

This use of visual and narrative motifs is just the beginning of what makes this such a powerful film. To get into even more detail on the visual style of the film, here’s Mihai Malaimare Jr., cinematographer of Jojo Rabbit , explaining the camera and lighting choices that were made.

Jojo Rabbit Scene Analysis with Cinematographer

For any filmmakers looking to add layers of meaning and symbolism to their next project, look to Taika Waititi and Jojo Rabbit for inspiration. As you can see, it doesn't require a lot to use motifs to create powerful and dramatic moments. A little planning in the screenplay and storyboarding, and that's all it takes. 

Related Posts

  • Visual Motifs and Creative Examples →
  • Know the Rules of Shot Composition →
  • FREE Download: Script Breakdown Sheet Template →

Arrival Explained

If you enjoyed this Jojo Rabbit analysis, you’re sure to like the other posts and videos in our Director’s Playbook series. Check out this breakdown of a scene from Denis Villeneuve’s  Arrival  and how he was able to use shot compositions and camera angles to tread the fine line between intrigue and fear.

Up Next: Arrival Explained →

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The Best Quotes From 'Jojo Rabbit'

Movie and TV Quotes

It's time to vote for the best Jojo Rabbit quotes. This irreverent comedy comes from director Taika Waititi, the man who previously brought us Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok . He also wrote the screenplay, which is based on a novel by Christine Leunens. Befitting of an edgy satire, the movie contains dozens of funny lines, as well as some unmistakably pointed one-liners, along with some hilarious Jojo quotes.

The plot is both straightforward and slightly crazy. In Nazi Germany, a young boy named Jojo Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) discovers that his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl, Elsa (Thomasin McKenzie), in the attic of their home. The comedic twist is that Jojo has an imaginary friend who guides him -- and that imaginary friend is none other than Adolf Hitler. Waititi takes on that role himself, delivering a wacky take on the real-life historical figure. Obviously, the film has generated some controversy for its approach to the character, but the intention is to mock Nazis and deliver an anti-hate message that's relevant to the world today.

The film also sports a stellar cast of supporting actors, including Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, and Stephen Merchant. 

Vote up the most memorable Jojo Rabbit quotes from the list below, regardless of which character speaks them.

Click here to watch the full movie.

The Strongest Thing In The World

The Strongest Thing In The World

Rosie: Love is the strongest thing in the world. 

Jojo Betzler: I think you'll find that metal is the strongest thing in the world, followed closely by dynamite, and then muscles. 

Not A Good Time

Not A Good Time

Jojo Betzler: Nothing makes sense anymore.

Yorki: Yeah, I know, definitely not a good time to be a Nazi.

Click here to watch Jojo Rabbit.

Scared Rabbit

Scared Rabbit

Adolf Hitler: What's wrong, little man?

Jojo Betzler: They call me a scared rabbit.

Adolf Hitler: Let them say whatever they want. People used to say a lot of nasty things about me. "Oh, this guy's a lunatic." "Oh, look at that psycho. He's gonna get us all killed."

Gesundheit

Elsa Korr: You know what I am?

Jojo Betzler: A Jew?

Elsa Korr: Gesundheit. 

Funny Uniform

Funny Uniform

Elsa Korr: You're not a Nazi, Jojo. You're a ten-year-old kid who likes dressing up in a funny uniform and wants to be part of a club.

Negotiate

Jojo Betzler: What am I going to do?

Adolf Hitler: No idea.

Jojo Betzler: Got it! I'll negotiate!

Adolf Hitler (talking over him): Burn down the house and blame Winston Churchill. Or negotiate.

Operation: Screw-Up

Operation: Screw-Up

Captain Klenzendorf: So, a little about me. Who am I and why am I here, talking to a bunch of little t*tty-grabbers instead of leading my men into battle towards glorious death? Good question. I've asked it myself every day since Operation: Screw-Up, where I lost a perfectly good eye in a totally preventable enemy attack. And according to my superiors, you need two eyes to be a meaningful part of the war effort.

Chew On These Grapes

Chew On These Grapes

Jojo Betzler: You aren't eating.

Rosie: No. I am not that hungry. For now, I am just going to chew on these grapes. 

Love

Rosie (talking about love): You'll know it when you feel it. It's a pain.

Jojo Betzler: In my ass, I bet.

Rosie: In your tummy. Like you're full of butterflies. 

Jojo Betzler: Yuck. 

Walk The Clones

Walk The Clones

Fraulein Rahm: We need someone to walk the clones, because some of them are malfunctioning. 

Treats Me Like A Person

Treats Me Like A Person

Elsa Korr: Your mother took me in. She's kind. She treats me like a person.

Growing Up Too Fast

Growing Up Too Fast

Rosie: You're growing up too fast. Ten-year-olds shouldn't be celebrating war and talking politics. 

Top Man

Rosie: Field Marshall Jojo, you're our top man. Prepare to leave the house. 

Messed-Up Face

Messed-Up Face

Captain Klenzendorf: Frau Betzler, you're looking fetching, as usual.

[Rosie knees him in the groin, causing him to drop to his knees in pain.]

Rosie Betzler: It's because of you my son can't walk properly and has a messed-up face. 

War Games

Captain Klenzendorf: Today you boys will be involved in such activities as war games, ambush techniques, and blowing stuff up. 

Blind Fanaticism

Blind Fanaticism

Deertz: I wish more of our young boys had your blind fanaticism. 

Bad Person

Adolf Hitler: You two seem to be getting on well!

Jojo Betzler: She doesn't seem like a bad person.

Burn Books

Fraulein Rahm: Kids, it's time to burn some books!

Show It To The World

Show It To The World

Adolf Hitler: It's time to show it to the world, don't you think?

Big Trouble

Big Trouble

Jojo Betzler (to Elsa Korr): If I tell on you, you'll be in big trouble.

Read Each Other's Minds

Read Each Other's Minds

Jojo Betzler: Did you know Jews can read each other's minds? 

Imaginary Friend

Imaginary Friend

Captain Klenzendorf: When I was your age, I had an imaginary friend who got me in so much trouble. 

The Camel's Humps

The Camel's Humps

Adolf Hitler: Hey Jojo, you'll never guess what's in the camel's humps. Fat. Disgusting. 

Best Weekend Ever

Best Weekend Ever

Jojo Betzler: Are you ready for the best weekend ever?

Yorki: Yes I am!

Of Course You Can

Of Course You Can

Jojo Betzler: I don't think I can do this.

Adolf Hitler: Of course you can!

  • Jojo Rabbit (2019)
  • Entertainment
  • Movie Quotes
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The greatest, funniest, and most iconic movie and TV quotes from your all-time favorite comedies (and a few you probably haven’t seen).

Movies That Are Best for Quoting

Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit is a 2019 film about a Hitler Youth member who finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic.

  • 1 Jojo Betzler
  • 2 Rosie Betzler
  • 3 Elsa Korr
  • 4 Adolf Hitler
  • 5 Captain Klenzendorf
  • 6 Fräulein Rahm
  • 8 Herman Deertz
  • 11 External links

Jojo Betzler [ edit ]

  • [talking to the mirror] Jojo Betzler. Ten years old. Today, you join the ranks of the Jungvolk in a very, special... training weekend. It's going to be intense. But today, you become a man. I swear to devout all my energies and my strength to the saviour of our country, Adolf Hitler . I am willing and ready to give up my life for him . So help me, God.
  • [clarifying to his friend Yorki his position] Yorki, you're my second best friend. First place is reserved for the Führer. So unless you're Hitler hiding in a fat little boy's body, I'd be happy with second place.
  • [fearfully asking Elsa to come out of her secret room] Excuse me, little girl? Umm... Jew girl in the wall? Yoohoo... Jew???
  • OK, here's the situation. If I tell on you, you’ll be in big trouble and I don’t think you want that. But then you’ll tell on me and my mother and we’ll be in trouble which I don’t want. And if you tell my mother I know , then she’ll kick you out, which you don’t want. And if I tell my mother I know , then you’ll cut off my Nazi head, which I also don’t want. So it's a Mexican stalemate.
  • [a fake letter from Elsa's fiance Nathan] Dear Elsa, this is hard for me to say but, I don't want to marry you anymore. I found a new woman, and we laugh a lot, and do the tongue kiss .
  • [a second letter apologizing] I just wanted to let you know that I don't want to break up with you now. I don't want you to kill yourself over me, which a couple of girls have done in the past, and it's pretty stressful. I need you to stay alive. Thank God you've been taken care of by that kid, who I must say is a remarkable young man beyond his years. And brave too.
  • No news from Nathan today, I'm afraid. He's probably doing something amazing , like reading a book or growing a beard.
  • [after the war, Jojo realizes how horrible Hitler was, and attempts to kick him out of his life] FUCK OFF, HITLER .

Rosie Betzler [ edit ]

  • [to Jojo] Mmmm-mmm-mm-mmm, my darling little cub.
  • [tying Jojo's shoes] You grab the rabbit by the tail, wrap it around his ear, tie it all up and then stuff it back down the hole.
  • [responding to Jojo who whines over his scar] Enjoy the attention, kid. Not everyone is lucky enough to look stupid. I for one am cursed to look incredibly attractive.ima kid a black man’s ass lmaooooooo
  • [making dinner] Where are all our god damn knives!? I want man in my life Lucas is cool

Elsa Korr [ edit ]

  • [to Jojo] Hi.
  • [Jojo asks for information about the Jews] OKay. We're like you... but human.
  • [after Jojo tells her his race is superior, she has him in a headlock] Break free. Break free, Great Aryan , there are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants , we were chosen by God. You were chosen by a pathetic little man who can't even grow a full mustache! [releases Jojo roughly] Stronger race, huh?
  • You're not a Nazi, Jojo. You're a ten-year-old kid who likes swastikas and likes dressing up in a funny uniform who wants to be part of a club . But you're not one of them.
  • [telling Jojo] The last time I saw my parents was at the station. They were put on a train . I ran . Slowly found my way back to the city. But... my parents go to a place you don't come back from.

Adolf Hitler [ edit ]

  • [comforting Jojo after being bullied "Jojo Rabbit"] Let them say whatever they want. People used to say a lot of nasty things about me. "Oh this guy's a lunatic." "Oh, look at that psycho, he's gonna get us all killed. [shrugs, knows he DOES kill people] Let me let you on a little secret: the rabbit is no coward. The humble little bunny faces a dangerous world every day, hunting carrots for his family, for his country .
  • [after Jojo grabs books] Yes. Great thinking, Rabbit. we'll use all of these books to make a fake floor that she'll fall through, straight into a pit full of piranhas, and—and lava and... bacon. Why, she won't know what hit her.
  • [After Jojo tells him Elsa is not bad] I am beginning to question your loyalty to myself and the party. [voice gets louder] You call yourself a patriot?! Yet where is the evidence? The German soldier was born out of necessity. Germany depends on the passion of these young men: passion and the readiness to FALL fot the Fatherland, DESPITE THE FUTILE EFFORTS OF ALLIED WAR PROFITEERS WHO SEND THEIR ILL-PREPARED ARMIES CLUMSILY INTO THE LAIR OF THE WOLF ! And only zealous who stand steadfast in the face of the enemy will be ETCHED in German memory forevah! IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED, or disappear without a trace, like a pitiful grain of sand INTO A DESERT OF INSIGNIFICANCE!

Captain Klenzendorf [ edit ]

  • Heil Hitler, guys.
  • And even though it would appear our country's on the backfoot and there's isn't much hope in us winning this war, apparently we're doing just fine.
  • [to the students, after seeing Jojo exploded by a hand grenade irresponsibly] Don't do that.
  • I've been meaning to teach the HJ boys water warfare training. Y'know... in case they need to go to battle in a swimming pool.
  • [seeing the HJ boys drowning, to Sub-Officer Finkel] Finkie, they're drowning.
  • As part of our preparations for the invasion I’m re-designing my uniform. Note, the feathers for aerodynamics, the sparkly colour to dazzle the enemy, the boots are purely decorative. [shows another sketch] And this is a Gatling gun mounted with a radio which emits... annoying music to dishearten the enemy.

Fräulein Rahm [ edit ]

  • [to Jungvolk members] We Aryans are once thousand times more civilized and advanced than any other race. Now get your things together, kids, it's time to BURN SOME BOOKS!
  • A Jew hypnotized my uncle, and he became a massive drunk, and he cheated on his wife, and he had an inappropriate relationship with my sister. And said he drowned in an unrelated accident, but it—it was Jew's fault.
  • My friend met some Russians and they ate them.
  • [to kid] OK, see that American there? Just go give him a hug! [loads suicide grenade at his back]
  • We must kill everything that we see. [carries machine gun] For Hitler. DIE, DEVIL SCUM!!! [shoots randomly, before killed by explosion]

Yorki [ edit ]

  • [Jojo asks Germany's progress on the war] Terribly. Our only friends are the Japanese, and just between you and me... they don't look very Aryan.
  • [wearing soldier uniform] Oh my God, it's so hard to run in this thing!
  • There are bigger things to worry about than Jews, Jojo. There's Russians somewhere out there. They're worse than anyone. I heard they eat babies and have sex with dogs. The Englishmen do it too. We have to stop them before they eat us and screw all our dogs.

Herman Deertz [ edit ]

  • [Klenzendorf asks how he's doing] Oh, you know how it is. Every day we take a call, "Hallo, is that the Gestapo? I believe there's a communist hiding behind my fridge. We go around to investigate, it's just some mould. So not far off. [sighs] It's all part of the job.
  • [to Jojo] You and your friends may have heard a rumour that Hitler only has one ball-- this is nonsense. He has four .
  • [laughs at Jojo's ridiculous antisemitic picture book] Guys you need to see this. Ah this one, he has a tail. And here, he's upside down like a bat. And this is a drawing of their heads. And who is operating the machinery of their brains? The devil. Ah, it's funny 'cause it's true.

Dialogue [ edit ]

Cast [ edit ].

  • Roman Griffin Davis — Johannes "Jojo" Betzler
  • Thomasin McKenzie — Elsa
  • Taika Waititi — Adolf
  • Rebel Wilson — Fräulein Rahm
  • Stephen Merchant — Deertz
  • Alfie Allen — Finkel
  • Sam Rockwell — Captain Klenzendorf
  • Scarlett Johansson — Rosie Betzler
  • Archie Yates — Yorki

External links [ edit ]

  • Jojo Rabbit quotes at the Internet Movie Database
  • Jojo Rabbit at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Jojo Rabbit at Metacritic

jojo rabbit quotes for essay

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  • Comedy-drama films
  • Coming-of-age films
  • Black comedy films
  • Films about antisemitism
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“Jojo Rabbit” quotes

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“There are no weak Jews. I am descended from those who wrestle angels and kill giants. We were chosen by God. You were chosen by a fat man with greasy hair and half a moustache.” Thomasin McKenzie - Elsa
“- Elsa Korr: I don't know anything about being a woman. Is that what it is? You do things like drink wine ? - Rosie: Sure . You drink . Champagne if you're happy. Champagne, if you're sad . You drive a car. Gamble if you want. Own diamonds . Learn how to fire a gun . You travel to Morocco. Take up lovers. Make them suffer . You look a tiger in the eye....” (continue) (continue reading) Thomasin McKenzie - Elsa Scarlett Johansson - Rosie
“- Jojo Betzler: I said to draw where Jews live. This is just a stupid picture of my head. - Elsa Korr: Yeah, that's where we live.” Roman Griffin Davis - Jojo Thomasin McKenzie - Elsa
Let them say whatever they want. People used to say a lot of nasty things about me. "Oh, this guy's a lunatic!" "Oh, look at that psycho! He's gonna get us all killed!" Taika Waititi - Adolf
“- Jojo Betzler: I'm way too busy for a girlfriend . - Elsa Korr: One day you'll make time. You'll think of nothing else. You'll meet someone, and spend your days, dreaming of the moments you can hold them in your arms again. That's love.” Roman Griffin Davis - Jojo Thomasin McKenzie - Elsa
“And it is up to you to decide if you want to be remembered, or disappear without a trace, like a pitiful grain of sand into a desert of insignificance. To put it plainly. Get your shit together and sort out your priorities.” Taika Waititi - Adolf
“- Jojo Betzler: Nothing makes sense anymore. - Yorki: Yeah, I know, definitely not a good time to be a Nazi.” Roman Griffin Davis - Jojo Archie Yates - Yorki
“- Elsa Korr: You know what I am. Say it. Say it! - Jojo Betzler: A Jew? - Elsa Korr: Gesundheit.” Thomasin McKenzie - Elsa Roman Griffin Davis - Jojo
“You're not a Nazi, Jojo. You're a ten- year -old kid who likes dressing up in a funny uniform and wants to be part of a club.” Thomasin McKenzie - Elsa

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jojo rabbit quotes for essay

Mama's Geeky

The Best & Most Hilarious Jojo Rabbit Quotes

By: Author Tessa Smith

Posted on Last updated: March 15, 2020

Jojo Rabbit is hands down one of the best movies I have ever seen — and that is largely in part because of the hilarious movie quotes.

jojo rabbit quotes

I have been saying that Taika Waititi is a genius for quite some time now and if Jojo Rabbit is not proof of that, I don’t know what is. He somehow has you crying one minute, and laughing the next. Not to mention he actually made me like a Nazi or two. All largely in part because of these fantastic movie quotes from Jojo Rabbit. 

Be sure to check out my Jojo Rabbit review if you have not already, and enjoy this collection of hilarious quotes!

Jojo Rabbit Quotes

Here is a collection of my absolute favorite quotes from this movie. I dare you not to laugh while reading them.

It took him three weeks to get over the fact that his grandmother was not blond. – Rosie

I’m unemployed and quite fat now. – “nathan”, it’s so sad for you. you’ve lost your mind. – rosie, definitely not a good time to be a nazi. – yorki.

jojo rabbit

We’ll burn down the house and blame Winston Churchill. – Hitler

I think you’ll find that metal is the strongest thing in the world, followed closely by dynamite, and then muscles. – jojo, you’re not a nazi, jojo. you’re a ten-year-old kid who likes dressing up in a funny uniform and wants to be part of a club. – elsa, no. i am not that hungry. for now, i am just going to chew on these grapes. – rosie, we need someone to walk the clones, because some of them are malfunctioning. – fraulein rahm, i wish more of our young boys had your blind fanaticism. – deertz.

Jojo Rabbit

Let them say whatever they want. People used to say a lot of nasty things about me. “Oh, this guy’s a lunatic.” “Oh, look at that psycho. He’s gonna get us all killed.” – Hitler

Today you boys will be involved in such activities as war games, ambush techniques, and blowing stuff up. – captain klenzendorf, kids, it’s time to burn some books – fraulein rahm, did you know jews can read each other’s minds – jojo, hey jojo, you’ll never guess what’s in the camel’s humps. fat. disgusting. – hitler.

jojo rabbit supporting cast

You’re growing up too fast. Ten-year-olds shouldn’t be celebrating war and talking politics. – Rosie

I gotta go, we’re having unicorn for dinner at my place tonight. – hitler, if i tell on you, you’ll be in big trouble. – jojo.

jojo rabbit movie poster

About Jojo Rabbit

Jojo is a lonely German boy who discovers that his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his imaginary friend — Adolf Hitler — Jojo must confront his blind nationalism as World War II continues to rage on.

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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.

jojo rabbit quotes for essay

Script Analysis: “JoJo Rabbit”— Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

Scott Myers

Scott Myers

Go Into The Story

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay :

After a first pass, it’s time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scene-by-scene breakdown. It is precisely what it sounds like: A list of all the scenes in the script accompanied by a brief description of the events that transpire. For purposes of this exercise, I have a slightly different take on scene. Here I am looking not just for individual scenes per se, but a scene or set of scenes that comprise one event or a continuous piece of action. Admittedly this is subjective and there is no right or wrong, the point is simply to break down the script into a series of parts which you then can use dig into the script’s structure and themes.

The value of this exercise:

  • We pare down the story to its most constituent parts: Scenes.
  • By doing this, we consciously explore the structure of the narrative.
  • A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story.

This week: Jojo Rabbit (2019) . You may download a PDF of the script here .

Screenplay by Taika Waititi, based upon the book ‘Caging Skies’ by Christine Leunens.

Plot Summary: A World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy named Jojo whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler , Jojo must confront his blind nationalism.

Jojo Rabbit Scene by Scene Breakdown By Gareth Boucher GoIntoTheStory.com 1: 1944. JOHANNES BETZLER (Jojo), 10, gets dressed at home in his Hitler Youth uniform, topping it off with a pencil-drawn Hitler mustache. He tries his best to wink at a poster of his Hitler, but can’t quite figure out how to do it. 2: Jojo and his goofy best friend YORKI give “Heil Hitler”s to passersby on the streets of Vienna and plan to make a good impression at the Hitler Youth training weekend. Jojo wants to get into Hitler’s special guard early, and dreams of being a model Nazi. 2–4: At the Hitler Youth camp, Jojo and Yorki sit with other PRE-HITLER YOUTH CHILDREN around their age as real HITLER YOUTH BOYS AND GIRLS supervise. CAPTAIN KLENZENDORF, weathered, flanked by his loyal assistant SUB-OFFICER FINKEL, addresses the crowd of children. He welcomes them to the camp, which will give them a taste of what being real Hitler Youth will be like when they grow up. Klenzendorf introduces them to their daggers and gives a preview of what they’ll do — marching, grenade throwing, and other wartime activities. He lets the girls know they’ll learn things such as nursing wounds and how to get pregnant. 4–5: Jojo and Yorki participate in daily activities — knife throwing, which ends in an impaled leg for one BOY, shooting guns, which startles Jojo, and a war game where he and Yorki are instantly captured. The girls are shown how to dress wounds and (incorrectly) deliver a baby 5–6: In the woods, Jojo, Yorki, and other CHILDREN shout words like “horns” and “fangs” to FRAULEIN RAHM as she writes them on a board, under the heading “Jew”. Rahm tells them that Aryans are 100 times more advanced than any other race, which blows the students’ minds. After, the children burn books at a bonfire. 6–8: Jojo and Yorki lie awake in their sleeping bags, wondering how to spot a Jew. Jojo says he would kill one without question, and that he wants to catch and give a Jew to Hitler so they can become best friends — Yorki is his “second best” friend. The first spot is reserved for Hitler. Before he sleeps, Jojo whispers goodnight to his father, wishing that he’ll come home soon, and to his late sister Inga, hoping she’s happy where she is. 8–10: At a training ground in the woods, HANS and CHRISTOPH, older boys, ask the trainees who has the guts to kill a human. Everyone raises their hand, and they pick Jojo to kill a rabbit to prove he has the strength to kill. Jojo freezes as the crowd encourages him to kill it. He can’t do it, so Christoph snaps the rabbit’s neck and tells Jojo that he is a coward like his father, who hasn’t been heard from in 2 years. Jojo claims that his father is in Italy, fighting the Allies. Christoph, Hans, and the other children tease Jojo and call him “Jojo Rabbit” as he runs into the woods. 10–12: As Jojo cries alone in the woods, his imaginary friend enters: an easygoing, goofy version of ADOLF HITLER. Hitler comforts him, letting him know that his father is still fighting and is one of his most important soldiers. He assures Jojo that it’s okay to be a rabbit, that they are brave animals that outwit their enemies and face the dangers of the world every day. 13–14: At a training ground, Klenzendorf introduces the older boys to grenades as Finkel and the younger boys watch. As Klenzendorf prepares the older boys to throw grenades, Jojo snatches one out of his hand and bolts into the woods. Jojo and Hitler run through the woods, grenade in hand, and Jojo tosses it with valor. It bounces off a few trees and lands at his feet. It explodes, hurling him through the air. 15–16: At a hospital, Jojo is barely awake as he is taken through the building and into an operating room. Klenzendorf and Finkel explain to a doctor that Jojo was hurt by a training grenade. Klenzendorf wonders if he’ll be in trouble, and Jojo’s mother, FRAU BETZLER (Rosie), enters and comforts Jojo. At home, in Jojo’s bedroom, Rosie keeps him company amongst Hitler posters and stuffed animals. In the middle of the night, Jojo hears a creak outside his door. Jojo hides under the blankets and speaks into the darkness, asking Inga not to scare him. 16 -19: Jojo stands in front of his mirror and takes in his scarred face and limp arm. He thinks he’s a monster, and that he’ll never get into Hitler’s guard. Rosie assures him that he doesn’t need to be an ideal Nazi like the other boys. Jojo is unable to tie his shoe with his good hand, and Rosie helps him. She tells him that he’ll be helping out at the Hitler Youth office to get out of the house. Outside the front door, Jojo is embarrassed of his appearance, but Rosie pumps him full of confidence. 19–20: Jojo and Rosie visit a food ration store, and then part ways at the Hitler Youth office. Rosie comforts and teases Jojo, leaving him with a few red kiss marks on his face. 20–22: In the Hitler Youth office, Jojo reconnects with Klenzendorf and Finkel. Klenzendorf explains that he was demoted due to negligence and is now stuck working in the office. Jojo eagerly awaits his duties, and is instructed to distribute conscripts and propaganda. 23–24: Around town, Jojo distributes propaganda and gives “Heil Hitler” salutes to citizens who seem unenthusiastic. In the town square, he passes a gallows where five bodies hang. In a grocery store, Jojo hands a conscription to HERR GRUSCH, an older man. The conscription is for his son, Klaus. Herr Grusch tells Jojo that Klaus is dead, but that his name is Klaus too — the country is recruiting the old veterans of World War I to fight for Germany because there are no young people left. 25–28: Jojo arrives at home and hears a noise upstairs. He heads upstairs and wanders into Inga’s bedroom, where he discovers a secret door built into the wall. Jojo pries it open and discovers ELSA, 15, disheveled and emaciated, huddled in the darkness. She playfully, menacingly follows him as he darts out of the room in fear. She pins Jojo against the wall and holds his knife to his throat before he can escape through the front door. She tells him that she is his mother’s guest, and he realizes that she is a Jew. Elsa threatens to cut off his head if he speaks a word to anybody, including his mother. She keeps his knife and returns to her secret room. 28–29: In Jojo’s room, Jojo and Hitler discuss what they should do next. Hitler wants him to burn the house down, but Jojo decides to negotiate. 29–30: Jojo enter’s Inga’s room wearing kitchenware as armor and armed with a knife. He politely speaks to the wall, asking Elsa to leave. Elsa startles him from behind and he again flees the room, dropping his kitchen knife. 31–32: Jojo and Hitler again strategize in his room. Hitler tells him to use “mind powers” on her — to make her feel safe until she drops her guard. 32–36: Jojo waits in fear for hours until his mother returns. He suspiciously bombards her with questions about why she’s home so late. He tests her with more questions and comments, saying that he heard a ghost upstairs. She tells him that there are rats upstairs, and that he shouldn’t go up there until she’s caught them. Rosie puts her son to bed, and quiets his questions about what she’s up to. She tries to teach Jojo to wink, a skill he still can’t master, and kisses him goodnight. 36: That night, Jojo spies on his mother as she prepares food and brings it to Elsa. He’s confused and horrified. 36–37: At a rehabilitation center, Jojo swims and stretches in a pool along with wounded veterans. 37–39: Jojo collects his daily conscriptions at the Hitler Youth office. In Klenzendorf’s office, he stumbles upon Klenzendorf drawing fantasy cartoon guns and Finkel making a pink triangle sash. Klenzendorf shows off his drawing of a gatling gun outfitted with a radio to play music at the enemy, and tells Jojo that he occasionally works with the Gestapo. Jojo asks Klenzendorf what would happen if he saw a Jew. Klenzendorf says that Jojo would report it to him, who would report it to the Gestapo, who would kill the Jew and other people involved. He jokingly says that someone should write a book about Jews, which grabs Jojo’s attention. 39–43: At home, in Inga’s bedroom, Jojo and Elsa negotiate — he says she can stay if she tells him everything about Jews, to help him write his book. She reveals that years ago, she and Inga were friends before Inga died. She tells Jojo that his neighbors constantly watch the house as he starts his questioning. She teases him and blows him off as he asks about Jewish shape-shifting, horns on their heads, hive-building, and other absurd myths. 43–45: Jojo and Hitler plan their next move as Rosie gets home with food. Rosie, stressed and in a subtle panic, greets Jojo as she glances out the window. She leaves and Jojo peers out the window to see a car slowly pass the house. 45–48: Jojo and Rosie eat dinner and she happily lets him know that the war is almost over — the Allies have taken Italy. Jojo’s furious. He forces himself to eat everything on his plate, leaving no leftovers for Elsa. 48–53: Jojo questions Elsa and he makes her draw a picture of a Jewish hive. She doesn’t answer any questions about her family, but reveals that she has a Jewish fiancé, Nathan, who’s 18 and off fighting in the resistance. She daydreams about the future, about moving to Paris with Nathan after the war is over, which she says will be within a year. She entices Jojo as she talks about true love, but the spell breaks when Jojo starts talking about the superiority of the Aryan race. She puts him in a headlock, telling him that he is weak, as Jews were chosen by God. She releases him and shows him the picture she drew of the Jewish hive — it’s a picture of Jojo, with the word “Idiot”. He’s furious, as he wanted a picture of where Jews live. She lets him know that her picture is where Jews live — inside his head. 53–55: Jojo heads to a Gestapo office and goes into the filing room, looking for information about Nathan. He can’t find anything, so he heads to the town library with Hitler and grabs a book by Rilke, Nathan’s favorite poet. On his way home, he sees a group of fellow Hitler Youth marching and singing, led by Fraulein Rahm. 55–57: Jojo writes a letter as he reads Rilke’s book. He heads to Inga’s room and tells Elsa that he has a letter from Nathan. Jojo reads the letter he wrote, in which Nathan tells Elsa that he is leaving her for another woman. Elsa breaks down in tears and tells Jojo to leave. Later, Jojo reads a second letter from “Nathan”. He’s changed his mind and doesn’t want to break up with Elsa. Elsa’s a little amused by Jojo’s antics. 57–59: In Inga’s bedroom, Jojo and Elsa playfully fire off names of famous Germans/Jews. Elsa gains the upper hand when she lists a series names, ending with Jesus. Jojo storms out. 59–60: Jojo and Rosie wait in line for rations. Rosie confuses a shopkeeper into giving her extra food; other citizens watch with suspicion. 60–62: At a river, Rosie talks about love as she ties Jojo’s shoelaces. She tells him that it’s the most powerful thing in the world. As they get up to leave, Jojo realizes that his mother tied his shoelaces together. They laugh and chase each other as he trips. 62–64: On their way home, Rosie begs Jojo to be a normal kid again when the war is over. They arrive at home to see the numbers “0 5” painted on their front door. Rosie’s heart sinks as she yells at the neighbors; later, she and Jojo scrub the paint off as she avoids telling him what the numbers mean. 64–67: Jojo and Elsa sit in Inga’s bedroom. He’s worried about his mother, and Elsa distracts him by offering to tell him about Jews. She fills him with tales and myths about where they’re from, what they look like, and how they take places over. Jojo reminds her that Jews love ugly things, then glances at his scarred face in the mirror. 68–71: In Jojo’s room, Hitler accosts Jojo for spending so much time with Elsa. Jojo claims that it’s all for his book. Hitler, in an impassioned speech, commands Jojo to not let Elsa take control of his brain. Hitler confirms Jojo’s fears about being ugly, then takes off out the window. 71–74: At the Hitler Youth office, Jojo shows his book “Yoohoo Jew” to Klenzendorf and Finkel. They try to contain their amusement as Jojo shows off the drawings and writings. Klenzendorf shows his drawing of a flamboyant redesign of the Nazi uniform. He tells Jojo that he has no conscriptions for the day, but has another, lesser job for him to do. 74–76: Jojo wanders around town with a wagon, collecting random scraps of metal from the citizens for the war effort. He runs into Yorki, who has been made into a soldier, complete with a paper and cardboard uniform that Yorki claims is impervious to damage. Yorki tells him that he saw a few captured Jews, and that he didn’t understand what all the fuss was about, as they seemed normal. Jojo asks Yorki for a favor. 76–79: In Inga’s room, Jojo gives Elsa some new pencils, courtesy of Yorki. She offers to draw him, but Jojo refuses, claiming he’s too ugly, afraid he’ll never be kissed. Elsa offers to kiss him, but Jojo says it’s illegal for Jews and Nazis to kiss. Elsa tells him over and over that he’s not a Nazi, then takes in her dirty and tired image in the mirror. Jojo lets Elsa use his bathroom to take a bath. He listens from outside the door. In Rosie’s room, Elsa doe her hair and makeup. Jojo’s stomach growls in hunger. 79–87: In the living room, Jojo and Elsa share a sad meal of a few green potatoes. Jojo answers a knock at the door as Inga hides upstairs — it’s four GESTAPO AGENTS, led by CAPTAIN DEERTZ, accompanied by Klenzendorf. Deertz says they’ve arrived to ransack the house. The agents start to tear the house apart, opening and peeking everywhere they can. Jojo and Klenzendorf follow Deertz to Jojo’s room. Deertz notices a drawing of David killing Goliath, and asks Jojo about the numbers on the front door. Jojo doesn’t remember what they were. Jojo, Deertz, and Klenzendorf head upstairs where the other officers are ransacking the rooms. Deertz asks about Rosie’s whereabouts, and Jojo thinks she’s somewhere around town. Elsa reveals herself, pretending to be Inga, dressed in Inga’s clothes. Deertz inspects Inga’s room, and Klenzendorf stands in front of the secret door in the wall, blocking Deertz’s view of it. Deertz demands to see Elsa’s papers. Elsa finds Inga’s papers in a drawer and hands them over. Klenzendorf inspects them, and sees Inga’s birthday — May 7th. He asks Elsa what her birthday is, to which she responds May 1st. Klenzendorf hands the papers back, confirming “Inga’s” identity and covering for Elsa. Deertz and his team take some papers from Rosie’s room and leaves. Klenzendorf tells Jojo that the Hitler Youth office is scaling back their operations, and that there’s no work for Jojo anymore. 87: In her hideout, Elsa’s shell-shocked. She’s sure that her identity will be found out. Jojo assures her that Klenzendorf is helping them, and that they’ll be okay. He says he’ll tell Rosie that they’re friends, to which Elsa responds that Jews and Nazis aren’t friends. 88–89: Jojo runs into Hitler in the kitchen, who’s disappointed the Gestapo didn’t catch Elsa. He tells Jojo to step up and act his age. 89–90: In the town square, after getting his rations, Jojo follows a butterfly that leads him to the gallows. A group of ten bodies hang, with the numbers “0 5” painted on their chests. A sign explains that they have been executed for involvement in the resistance movement. A body sways and turns, revealing itself to be Rosie. Jojo breaks down, trying to reach her, but she’s too high. He desperately tries tying her shoe, but fails. Later that night, as Jojo sits near the gallows, Hitler silently comforts him. 90: Elsa reads in her hideout, and is interrupted when Jojo opens the door, holding a knife. He tries to attack her, and they struggle before he falls, hopeless. Elsa realizes what’s happened and breaks down. 90–92: Jojo and Elsa peek their heads out of a rooftop hatch as bombs drop in the distance. Elsa explains that Jojo’s mother and father were involved in the resistance, his father from afar. The “0” in “0 5” is the letter “O”, standing for Oesterreich, Austria, and the “5” represents the fifth letter in the alphabet, “E”. Together they make “OE”, the way Austria was spelled before the Nazi regime. Elsa reassures Jojo that Rosie didn’t tell him anything because she didn’t want him to know anything that would implicate him. She tells Jojo the story of how her family was taken away on a train, and how she and her cousin escaped. Elsa eventually found her way to the city, where she’s been passed from one family friend to the next in hiding. She promises Jojo she won’t leave, and they watch the bombing into the night. 92–93: Jojo and Elsa, alone, do their best to keep themselves fed and occupied — Jojo barters for food and cooks a depressing meal, and Elsa draws pictures that Jojo hangs around his room. The amount of Elsa’s pictures on the wall start to equal the amount of Hitler propaganda. As he and Elsa eat, his stomach fills with butterflies, infatuated with her. 93–94: Later, in Spring, Jojo reads a “letter” to Elsa that raves over her drawings, supposedly from an art gallery in New York. He claims that they want to do another exhibition of her work; Elsa plays along and gives him more drawings to “send off”. As he puts the drawings away, a distant bomb shakes the house. Gunshots sound off outside. 94–96: Outside, pandemonium ensues as Jojo watches as civilians, many of them women and children, being outfitted with weapons. Townsfolk run around, looking for safety. Jojo runs into Yorki, who carries and accidentally fires a rocket launcher. Yorki fills Jojo in — the Allies are closing in from all sides, and his uniform is truly made from paper and cardboard. Hans, the boy who tried to force Jojo to kill the rabbit, was killed in battle. Jojo offers to help Yorki, refusing to believe that Germany can lose. He takes some of Yoki’s ammo in his wheelbarrow and follows him. 96–97: Down another street, the fighting nears. Jojo tells Yorki that Elsa is his girlfriend, but is saddened because she’s Jewish. Jojo assures him that there are bigger things to worry about, like the Russians and the English. Klenzendorf and Finkel pass through, wearing their flamboyant uniforms from their drawings, complete with Klenzendorf’s gun outfitted with a radio. Yorki heads to the battle with his ammo, and Jojo looks for a place to hide as explosions and gunfire surround him. Jojo sprints away from the fighting. 98–99: On another street, an Allied parade of tanks and soldiers pass through. A woman excitedly tells Jojo that the war is over. Imaginary Hitler is overjoyed, as this means Elsa can go to Paris and he and Jojo can be alone. 99–101: While waiting in line for rations from Russian soldiers, Jojo takes an army jacket off of a dead German soldier. In Inga’s room, Elsa watches fireworks from the window as Jojo enters. Jojo lies and tells her that the Germans won the war. Elsa breaks down, terrified that she will be caught. Jojo assures her that she can stay with him, and that he will take care of her. Elsa sobs, hopeless. 101–102: In a classroom, Jojo attends school with other German children. A RUSSIAN TEACHER lists words like “Evil, devils, inhuman”, etc., and tells the class that they need to learn to be better Germans, as Germans are terrible. Hitler sits next to Jojo, excited. 102–104: Jojo wanders the city. Russian troops loot houses and an angry mob scouts a group of Germans. Officer Deertz, Fraulein Rahm, and Klenzendorf are among the group. Fraulein Rahm is taken with a few others and lined up against a wall. Jojo is shuffled along amongst the prisoners and protestors, and runs into Klenzendorf, who reveals that Finkel is dead. A PARTISAN threatens them and demands to know if Jojo knows Klenzendorf. Jojo tries to say that he does, but Klenzendorf shoos him away, pretending he doesn’t know him. Jojo is swallowed into a crowd and doesn’t see as Klenzendorf and other Nazis are hanged. 104–106: At the river, Jojo runs into Yorki. Yorki tells Jojo that Hitler killed himself and was hiding things from the public, which Jojo can barely process. Yorki reveals that he’s a postman now, and gives Jojo a collection of letters for his mother, from his father. Jojo accepts that his father was a deserter, and asks if he can live with Yorki’s family. 106–109: At home, in Inga’s room, Jojo reads another letter to Elsa from “Nathan”, assuring her that she will be safe. Elsa reveals that Nathan died last winter from Tuberculosis, and that she knew all along that that Jojo was kindhearted. Jojo tells Elsa that they are friends, and that he’s found a way to escape Germany. She tells him that she has found a way too — she’s going to kill herself. Jojo begs her not to, saying that they have to leave immediately. 109–112: In his room, Jojo tells Hitler that they shouldn’t be friends anymore. Jojo and Hitler argue, and Jojo professes his love for Elsa. Jojo says he doesn’t need Hitler anymore, as his father is coming home, and demands Hitler leave. Hitler does, and Jojo tears down the posters from his wall. 112–113: Jojo leads Elsa, clean and in possession of Inga’s papers, to the front door. He ties her shoe and gives a perfect wink before he opens the door. They head outside, and Elsa takes it in — Allied soldiers on the street, a Russian flag on a building. She realizes she’s safe, and Jojo says they’ve made it.

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There’s something impressive about someone like Taika Waititi taking all of that Marvel money that’s just sitting in a room in his house and making a movie that he otherwise never would have been able to get financed. A coming-of-age comedy about Nazis isn’t exactly on the wish lists of most studios in 2019. And there are times when “Jojo Rabbit” feels almost like an answer to the question: “Hey, Taika, what are you gonna do with all that 'Ragnarok' cash?” 

Having said that, ambition only gets you so far, and the originality of this self-proclaimed "anti-hate satire" subsides after a few minutes. "Jojo Rabbit" doesn’t quite come together the way its opening promises and, most shockingly, lacks the punch it needs to really work. It’s far from the disaster it could have been given the tonal tightrope it walks, but it’s also closer to a misfire than we all hoped it would be. Believe it or not, the “Hitler Comedy” plays it too safe.

“What if Wes Anderson made a Nazi comedy?” is a reasonable way to pitch “Jojo Rabbit” to someone interested in seeing it. Waititi’s goofy comic sensibility adapts the novel Caging Skies by Christine Leunens into a coming-of-age story that just happens to be set in the fading days of World War II Germany. There is where we meet Jojo ( Roman Griffin Davis ), a sweet German boy headed off to Nazi camp, where young men learn to throw grenades and young women learn the importance of having Aryan babies (an instructor played by Rebel Wilson brags about having 18 so far). He’s eager to join the Nazi party, tossing out “Heil Hitlers” with confidence when he’s not talking to his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler himself, played with goofy energy by Waititi in a character not in the entirely-serious book. The writer/director portrays one of the most villainous people in history as a bumbling moron, always offering cigarettes to his 10-year-old buddy and suggesting very bad ideas.

Luckily, just around when the ‘Goofy Hitler’ schtick is getting tired, it recedes into the background for the most important plot of “Jojo Rabbit” when Jojo finds a Jew hiding in his attic, played by the wonderful Thomasin McKenzie (“ Leave No Trace ”). We know that it is Jojo’s mother ( Scarlett Johansson ), who is also working for the resistance, who has hidden the girl, but Jojo’s incredibly confused. After all, this Jew doesn’t look or act like a monster. He begins talking to her, trying to learn the truth about Jews so he can write a book, and forms a relationship that changes him. The parallel between the imaginary friend who is actually a monster and the girl he’s been told is a monster but is actually a friend is a nice one to unpack, and Waititi is careful not to push the arc's melodrama too much. McKenzie is delightful and Johansson is sweet and tender—they both add much needed warmth to the film.

"Jojo Rabbit" derails when its premise wears off and you start to wonder what it all means. A kid talks to Hitler and realizes Jews can dance—and there’s some tragedy along the way. That's it? I kept waiting for “Jojo Rabbit” to become more than a wink-wink, nudge-nudge joke, and when it does try to get emotional in the final act, including a tone-deaf ending for a Nazi character played by Sam Rockwell , Waititi can’t navigate some very tricky tonal waters. Without giving anything away, the final scenes of “Jojo Rabbit” are too easy for a film that needs to be dangerous and daring. A film that starts as audacious becomes relatively generic as it goes along, and even its one shocking turn ends up feeling manipulative. If the premise is risky, the execution is depressingly not so. 

When one steps back from “Jojo Rabbit” and looks at the individual pieces, there’s a lot to admire. Once again, the director of " Boy " and " Hunt for the Wilderpeople " proves to have a gift with child actors, drawing a great performance from Davis and a nearly-movie-stealing Archie Yates as his pudgy buddy at Nazi camp. And a score by Michael Giacchino and cinematography by Mihai Malaimare Jr. (“ The Master ”) work together to accomplish that Anderson-esque atmosphere that Waititi was seeking. It’s clear that success has allowed Waititi to hire all the right people to execute his vision. And yet I left “Jojo Rabbit” thinking that the exact purpose of that vision remained blurry. 

This review was filed from the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8th. 

Brian Tallerico

Brian Tallerico

Brian Tallerico is the Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com, and also covers television, film, Blu-ray, and video games. He is also a writer for Vulture, The Playlist, The New York Times, and GQ, and the President of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

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Jojo Rabbit movie poster

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, violence, and language.

108 minutes

Roman Griffin Davis as Johannes "Jojo" Betzler

Thomasin McKenzie as Elsa Korr

Taika Waititi as Adolf Hitler

Scarlett Johansson as Rosie Betzler

Sam Rockwell as Captain Klenzendorf

Rebel Wilson as Fraulein Rahm

Alfie Allen as Sub-Officer Finkel

  • Taika Waititi

Writer (novel)

  • Christine Leunens

Cinematographer

  • Mihai Malaimare Jr.
  • Michael Giacchino

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discussion questions for jojo rabbit

discussion questions for jojo rabbit

Contents table, introduction, how does jojo rabbit explore wartime childhood challenges, how does jojo's imaginary friend adolf hitler affect him, how does jojo rabbit show how nazi propaganda affects kids, can jojo's relationship with elsa change his views about jews, what are jojo rabbit's acceptance and forgiveness themes.

Jojo Rabbit is a unique and thought-provoking film about wartime childhood. The film follows Jojo, a little child trying to understand himself and the world in Nazi Germany during World War II.

Jojo faces the brutal realities of Nazi Germany, which shows how conflict affects youngsters psychologically. He learns to despise others from Nazi propaganda. He likewise struggles to define himself and find his place in the world.

The film examines how war may destroy innocence. Jojo, a toddler attempting to understand the world, must face battle. He must face his values and make tough decisions.

The film explores how conflict affects family. Jojo's family is torn apart by war, and he must face his parents' tough choices. He also faces the test of loyalty during conflict.

Jojo's friendship with his imaginary pal, Adolf Hitler, has serious consequences. One must remember that Jojo's relationship with Hitler reflects his inner anguish and confusion. Jojo may be grappling with his identity and utilising Hitler to examine his powerlessness and insecurity.

It's vital to remember that Jojo's relationship with Hitler reflects his culture. Jojo's association with Hitler shows Nazi ideology's force and global reach. It emphasises the risks of unrestrained authority and the necessity to resist authoritarian beliefs.

Jojo Rabbit is a 2019 comedy-drama about a young German boy, Jojo, who joins the Hitler Youth during World War II. Strong and thought-provoking, the film shows how Nazi propaganda affects youngsters.

The film reveals how Nazi propaganda influenced children's beliefs. Young Jojo is deeply influenced by Nazi propaganda. He is indoctrinated to despise Jews and consider them enemies. He's also indoctrinated to revere Hitler as a hero. His Nazi-supporting mother reinforces this indoctrination.

The film also exposes how Nazi propaganda causes violence and hatred. Jojo is pushed to join Hitler Youth and burn books and bully. He is also encouraged to fake execute a Jewish prisoner. Nazi propaganda may incite violence and hatred and brainwash children into believing in a cause.

Nazi propaganda also causes loneliness and isolation, as shown in the film. His peers shun Jojo for not being a “true” Nazi, and he cannot make friends. Nazi propaganda can promote alienation and loneliness and influence children into believing in a cause.

Jojo Rabbit is a stunning and thought-provoking video on Nazi propaganda's effects on youngsters. Nazi propaganda can cause violence, hatred, and loneliness. It strongly emphasises critical thinking and the perils of indoctrination.

Jojo's connection with Elsa challenges his views of Jews in many ways. Jojo initially views Jews as a threat. However, his friendship with Elsa shows him that Jews have ambitions, dreams, and anxieties like everyone else. Jojo learns from Elsa that Jews are not monsters.

Elsa shows Jojo that Jews can be loving and caring, challenging his preconceptions of Jews. Jojo learns from Elsa that Jews can love and be friends, not cold and calculating like he thought.

Last but not least, Jojo's connection with Elsa proves that Jews may be brave and fearless. Jojo learns from Elsa that Jews may fight for what's right even in danger.

Jojo's relationship with Elsa shows him that Jews have hopes, dreams, and anxieties like everyone else. Jojo discovers from Elsa that Jews are not monsters but capable of love, friendship, bravery, and courage.

Jojo Rabbit, released in 2019, explores acceptance and forgiving. The Taika Waititi-directed picture follows Johannes “Jojo” Betzler, a young German child during World War II. Jojo is a Hitler Youth member, and his imagined pal is a distorted Hitler. Jojo learns to embrace and forgive others from his interactions with Elsa, a young Jewish girl sheltering in his home.

Jojo's acceptance of Elsa's Jewish ness explores acceptance. Jojo is first afraid of Elsa and determined to find and report her. After getting to know her, he accepts her for who she is and defends her when his mother is suspicious. Jojo helps Elsa escape the Gestapo, showing his acceptance.

The film also addresses forgiveness. Rosie, Jojo's mother, promotes forgiveness and acceptance. She advises Jojo to forgive his father, who left the family to serve in the war. She also advises Jojo to forgive himself for faults like shooting himself in the leg.

Acceptance and forgiveness are fundamental to Jojo Rabbit. Elsa teaches Jojo to accept and forgive others. Also, he forgives himself for faults. These ideas finally help Jojo become a better person and find peace in wartime.

discussion questions for jojo rabbit

1. Jojo Rabbit's main theme?

Jojo Rabbit emphasises imagination and acceptance. Jojo, a young German child, struggles to accept his identity during World War II. His imaginary friend, an idealised Adolf Hitler, helps him overcome his worries and prejudices.

2. Why is Jojo Rabbit significant?

Jojo Rabbit symbolises the character's innocence. Jojo is a little boy trying to understand the world, and his imaginary playmate, Adolf Hitler, represents his innocence.

3. What's Jojo Rabbit's message?

Jojo Rabbit teaches that understanding and acceptance are stronger than hatred and prejudice. Jojo finds serenity and understanding by accepting others as they are, regardless of their background or beliefs.

4. How important is Elsa in Jojo Rabbit?

Elsa is essential because she opposes Jojo. Jojo must confront his biases about Jews when a Jewish girl hides at his house. She teaches Jojo to accept and understand others.

5. Why is Jojo Rabbit's finale important?

Jojo Rabbit's finale indicates that Jojo has grown to appreciate and understand others. He finds serenity, understanding, and moves forward. The ending emphasises that understanding and acceptance are stronger than hatred and prejudice.

Finally, Jojo Rabbit discussion questions can help you understand the film and its concepts. They can make audiences consider the characters, their motivations, and the film's message. By asking insightful questions, viewers can better comprehend the film and its themes and start important conversations with friends and family.

jojo rabbit quotes for essay

Jojo Rabbit: The Relevance of Satire

Try to imagine the following movie pitch: A ten year old German boy enamored with the values of a Nazi regime during World War 2 tries to find his place in the world with the comfort of an imaginary friend and all that in the form of a Coming-Of-Age story.  …But with fascism, anti-Semitism, and the whole Holocaust thing. You get the idea. Oh…and that boy’s imaginary friend? Adolf Hitler himself. This may or may not be an oversimplification of how exactly Taika Waititi sold his idea, but clearly the powers that be at Fox searchlight bought it.

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Waititi’s talents are not limited to good movie pitches. He first popped on the mainstream radar with 2017’s “Thor: Ragnarok”, a film that revitalized the Thor franchise with a fusion of irreverent humor and bombastic spectacle. Indie-film enthusiasts can go further back to 2014’s “What We Do in the Shadows” and cite Waititi’s ability to weave a tongue in a cheek narrative in subject matters not known for their humor. His many appearances during the press junket and award season circuit introduced us to a person with a self-effacing, quirky charm. He is clearly a person that doesn’t take himself too seriously.

To that end, the reactions to the early trailers of “Jojo Rabbit” were met with some trepidation. The current trend in Hollywood has been to take a more somber approach with films such as “Schlinder’s List”, “The Pianist” or “The Reader”. Suddenly, a newer generation of film audiences is introduced to the first wide release Nazi-era satire in decades. The same filmmaker that allowed us to laugh at superheroes and monsters now wants us to laugh at a real monster. Questions were asked, tweets were made, and pearls were clutched.

JOJO-RABBIT_DETAILS_SCARLETT-JOHANSSON_TAIKA-WAITITI_

This is not the first time a satirical take on Nazi era Germany was committed to film. Charlie Chaplin was considerably ahead of the curve with the 1940 film “The Great Dictator”. Mel Brooks had a long and successful run with “The Producers”, which gave audiences the “play within a play” format, entitled Springtime for Hitler. “Hogan’s Heroes” – an American sitcom which ran for six seasons was about allied soldiers in a German prisoner of war camp. “The Great Dictator” has been preserved in the United States National Film Registry. “The Producers” would eventually win twelve Tony awards and “Hogan’s Heroes” would win two Emmys. Satire and specifically Nazi-era satire has had a proven track record both critically and commercially.

Yet, social media has created a bit of a paradigm shift. Information, discussions and opinions are all shared in real time and this generated a unique burden on Waititi few before him ever experienced. The film was poised to face a great deal of scrutiny, and to a lesser extent, so too was the very notion of satire in film. Casting himself as the eponymous monster was the first of many bold and creative decisions. In fact, the casting of this film is one of its greatest strengths. Roman Griffin Davis as Jojo himself captures wide-eyed innocence of youth on the cusp fanaticism. Scarlett Johansson deftly demonstrates she is ready for a post MCU world with a well deserved Oscar nominated performance. The always reliable Sam Rockwell delivers a performance that is equally measured with silliness and sensitivity. And perhaps the most overlooked performance of the year in any film of 2019 is Thomasin Mckenzie as the Jewish girl in the attic, Elsa.

Taika Waititi has managed to stack his film with a talented cast and as a result, much of the surprising charm of “Jojo Rabbit” stems from the strength of good, ensemble based story telling. Yet, the true magic of this film is found in the unorthodox rapport between Jojo and Adolf. We know immediately that Adolf is an absolute buffoon and at no point does Waititi make any attempt at empathy with both the performance and direction. We immediately see Adolf for what he is, an avatar for the absurd and abhorrent.

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The first half of the film lulls the viewer into an unnatural coziness reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film. We are fully ensconced into Jojo’s horribly misguided and manipulated idealism at this point. As we follow his adventures and mishaps in the Hitler youth, Waititi seems to be telling the audience: “see how stupid this all is? It’s ok to laugh…really!” The adult characters surrounding Jojo are still caricatures and the tone is set perfectly.

Things take a darker turn as reality begins to fray the edges of his quasi-fantasy world. We learn that his mother is actually an anti-Nazi sympathizer and she is harboring a Jew by the name of Elsa. Jews were a monstrosity fueled by hate-filled propaganda with no basis in reality until now. As he confronts Elsa, he confronts himself and his relationship with his imaginary Adolf. Jojo’s private world collapses in perfect sync with the collapse of Nazi Germany around him. Sacrifices are made and people die, but Jojo’s humanity survives with the help of his newfound Jewish friend. Jojo finally severs all ties with Adolf in the most cathartic scene this side of “Inglourious Basterds”.

“Jojo Rabbit” successfully weaponizes humor and negates the power of evil. Laughter of course, is a natural by product of any well made satire, but satire in all its forms is designed to illicit a reaction in the audience. This reaction is the very litmus test of where a global audience stands in its current political and social discourse. A tender and at times hilarious story about a ten year old boy finding his place in a war torn world 75 years ago is as relevant as ever.

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Jojo Rabbit

By taika waititi.

  • Jojo Rabbit Summary

During World War II, Jojo Betzler, a member of the Hitler Youth, wants to become an exemplary Nazi. He and his best friend, Yorki , go away to a training camp, led by Klezendorf, a buffoonish closeted gay Nazi, in the woods. Along the way, Jojo is accompanied by his imaginary friend— Adolf Hitler himself.

While at the training camp, Jojo gets bullied for not being able to kill a rabbit, which leads to his nickname, " Jojo Rabbit ." Trying to prove himself to his fellow soldiers, Jojo throws a grenade into the forest, but it bounces off a tree and explodes a few feet away from him. He is sent to the hospital and endures scars on his face and an injury to his leg that leaves him with a limp. Back at home, his mother, Rosie, asks Klezendorf to accept Jojo into the Hitler Youth and help him feel like he belongs.

Soon after, Jojo learns that his mother is not such an avid supporter of the Reich when he finds a Jewish girl—Elsa, who used to be one of his late sister's classmates—hiding in the attic. He wants to report her to the Germans, but Elsa tells him that if he does he and his mother will be killed. Unable to turn her in, he insists that she reveal Jewish secrets in return for his silence. In the course of his questioning, Jojo learns about Elsa's life before the war, and that she has a fiancé named Nathan who is fighting in the resistance. Their friendship deepens, but they do not reveal to Rosie that Jojo knows about Elsa.

One day, while Jojo is collecting scrap metal in town for the war effort, he sees his mother leaving a "free Germany" message on a bench. At this point, he realizes she is working for the resistance, but does not confront her about it. Soon after, the Gestapo come to the house and search the house for evidence that Jojo and his mother are aligned with the resistance. Elsa presents herself to the Gestapo as Jojo's sister Inge and manages to fool them, but becomes certain the Gestapo will come back for her. They decide to tell Rosie everything that's happened and ask for her help, but the Gestapo have already executed her.

Jojo and Elsa wait out the end of the war in the house, and Jojo eventually emerges to find that the Allies have won and Hitler committed suicide. He gets rounded up with the other Nazis, but Klezendorf saves his life by pretending that he is a Jew. Jojo runs home and lies to Elsa, telling her that the Germans won. He tells her he loves her, and she says she loves him too, but as a brother. After they emerge out into the empty streets, Elsa and Jojo dance.

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Jojo Rabbit Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Jojo Rabbit is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Key Scenes/Ideas

Jojo is a character who has fallen completely prey to the Nazi project and its propaganda, primarily its anti-Semitic bent. Like most German kids his age, he grows up fearing Jews, and thinking they are evil. As he gets to know Elsa, however, Jojo...

How can I do a Jojo Rabbits essay using the thoughts of Socrates, Pluto, Aristotals, Kant applying ethics

I really like this movie. You can use some of their ideas but I would pick one philosopher rather than all of them. Then research what the narrative has in common with them.

Sorry, I have not seen this film.

Study Guide for Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit study guide contains a biography of director Taika Waititi, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

  • About Jojo Rabbit
  • Character List
  • Director's Influence

Essays for Jojo Rabbit

Jojo Rabbit essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Jojo Rabbit, directed by Taika Waititi.

  • Satirizing Hitler: The Effects of Nazi Doctrines in 'Jojo Rabbit'

Wikipedia Entries for Jojo Rabbit

  • Introduction
  • Themes and analysis

jojo rabbit quotes for essay

COMMENTS

  1. 50 Important Quotes You Should Pay Attention to in Jojo Rabbit

    Jojo Rabbit Quotes — Rilke. #30: He knelt down like a proper gentleman, recited a poem by Rilke, and when I said 'yes' we danced into the night. #31: Oh of course, your favourite, Rilke. Jewish mother. #32: It's like my favourite poet Rilke says: "We need, in love, to practice only this: letting each other go.

  2. Jojo Rabbit: The 10 Best Quotes

    Rally 'Round Hitler. "First Place Is Reserved For The Führer." - Johannes Betzler. Jojo Rabbit depicts the war atmosphere mostly through the imaginary conversations between its lead character, Jojo, and his cruel imaginary mentor, Hitler . Ten-year-old Jojo swears allegiance to Hilter and shows him fanatical loyalty.

  3. Jojo Rabbit Quotes and Analysis

    Jojo Rabbit Quotes and Analysis. " I'll let you in on a little secret. The rabbit is no coward. The humble little bunny faces a dangerous world every day, hunting carrots for his family, for his country. My empire will be full of all animals, lions, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceroses, octopuses, rhineoctopuses, even the mighty rabbit.

  4. Jojo Rabbit Best Quotes

    Jojo:But now they call me a scared rabbit. Adolf:Let them say whatever they want. People used to say a lot of nasty things about me. "Oh, this guy's a lunatic. Oh, look at that psycho, he's going to get us all killed."[he then shrugs his shoulders] Adolf:I'll let you in on a little secret. The rabbit is no coward.

  5. 15 Most Hilarious Jojo Rabbit Quotes

    The best Jojo Rabbit quotes highlight how the Oscar-winning movie pulled off its seemingly impossible tone. Taika Waititi's satire is the kind of movie that should not work but somehow does. It tells the story of Jojo, a young Hitler Youth living in Germany during the final days of World War II. His blind loyalty to the Nazi cause is thrown ...

  6. What is Jojo Rabbit About? Synopsis, Quotes, & Video Analysis

    Synopsis, Quotes, & Video Analysis. Director Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit was the anti-hate satire that many felt was needed at this precise point in history. Modern-day intolerance was challenged through the lens of a period piece comedy with a big heart.

  7. The Best Quotes From 'Jojo Rabbit'

    Jojo Betzler: They call me a scared rabbit. Adolf Hitler: Let them say whatever they want. People used to say a lot of nasty things about me. "Oh, this guy's a lunatic." "Oh, look at that psycho. He's gonna get us all killed." 166 votes.

  8. Jojo Rabbit

    Rosie Betzler. [to Jojo] Mmmm-mmm-mm-mmm, my darling little cub. [tying Jojo's shoes] You grab the rabbit by the tail, wrap it around his ear, tie it all up and then stuff it back down the hole. [responding to Jojo who whines over his scar] Enjoy the attention, kid. Not everyone is lucky enough to look stupid.

  9. Jojo Rabbit Quotes, Movie quotes

    more on this quote ››. "You're not a Nazi, Jojo. You're a ten- year -old kid who likes dressing up in a funny uniform and wants to be part of a club.". Thomasin McKenzie - Elsa. [Tag: children, nazism ] Jojo Rabbit quotes: the most famous and inspiring quotes from Jojo Rabbit. The best movie quotes, movie lines and film phrases by Movie ...

  10. Jojo Rabbit Study Guide

    Jojo Rabbit study guide contains a biography of director Taika Waititi, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes.

  11. The Best & Most Hilarious Jojo Rabbit Quotes

    Here is a collection of my absolute favorite quotes from this movie. I dare you not to laugh while reading them. It took him three weeks to get over the fact that his grandmother was not blond. - Rosie. I'm unemployed and quite fat now. - "Nathan". It's so sad for you. You've lost your mind. - Rosie.

  12. Analysis of 'Jojo Rabbit'

    Analysis of 'Jojo Rabbit'. Jojo Rabbit is a 2019 comedy-satire-drama written and directed by Taika Waititi (based on Christine Leunens 's 2008 book Caging Skies ), and starring Roman Griffin Davis in the title role, Waititi, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, and Thomasin McKenzie. Jojo is a ten-year-old German boy ...

  13. jojo rabbit essay quotes Flashcards

    Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like jojo quote 1 about jews?, Rosie quote 1 about Jojo, and what does it mean?, Elsa quote 1 about Rosie? and more.

  14. Jojo Rabbit Themes

    Jojo Rabbit study guide contains a biography of director Taika Waititi, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes.

  15. Jojo Rabbit Essay Questions

    Jojo Rabbit study guide contains a biography of director Taika Waititi, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes.

  16. Script Analysis: "JoJo Rabbit"— Scene-By-Scene Breakdown

    Townsfolk run around, looking for safety. Jojo runs into Yorki, who carries and accidentally fires a rocket launcher. Yorki fills Jojo in — the Allies are closing in from all sides, and his uniform is truly made from paper and cardboard. Hans, the boy who tried to force Jojo to kill the rabbit, was killed in battle.

  17. Jojo Rabbit movie review & film summary (2019)

    When one steps back from "Jojo Rabbit" and looks at the individual pieces, there's a lot to admire. Once again, the director of "Boy" and "Hunt for the Wilderpeople" proves to have a gift with child actors, drawing a great performance from Davis and a nearly-movie-stealing Archie Yates as his pudgy buddy at Nazi camp.And a score by Michael Giacchino and cinematography by Mihai Malaimare Jr.

  18. Engage and Reflect: Thought-Provoking Jojo Rabbit Discussion Questions

    Jojo Rabbit is a unique and thought-provoking film about wartime childhood. The film follows Jojo, a little child trying to understand himself and the world in Nazi Germany during World War II. Jojo faces the brutal realities of Nazi Germany, which shows how conflict affects youngsters psychologically. He learns to despise others from Nazi ...

  19. Jojo Rabbit Part 1 Summary and Analysis

    Jojo Rabbit Summary and Analysis of Part 1. Summary. The film opens with Jojo Betzler, a young German boy aged ten who is a patriotic Nazi youth in Germany during World War II. Jojo is very sweet and innocent, but also obsessed with Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany. He often imagines that Hitler is with him, giving him advice and acting ...

  20. Jojo Rabbit: The Relevance of Satire

    Jojo finally severs all ties with Adolf in the most cathartic scene this side of "Inglourious Basterds". "Jojo Rabbit" successfully weaponizes humor and negates the power of evil. Laughter of course, is a natural by product of any well made satire, but satire in all its forms is designed to illicit a reaction in the audience.

  21. Jojo rabbit essay Flashcards

    Introduction - summary. - The comedic allegory film is set in the fading days of World War 2, where 10-year-old Jojo Betzler questions his beliefs when he discovers a Jewish girl Elsa hidden in the attic by his mother. Introduction thesis. - The film addresses the ideas of how hate is taught and precious freedom can be.

  22. Jojo Rabbit Essays

    Jojo Rabbit Essays. Satirizing Hitler: The Effects of Nazi Doctrines in 'Jojo Rabbit' Anonymous 10th Grade. Jojo Rabbit. Taika Waititi, perhaps best known for directing films like Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and What We Do in the Shadows, remarked that simply, Jojo Rabbit is an "anti-hate" film.

  23. Jojo Rabbit Summary

    During World War II, Jojo Betzler, a member of the Hitler Youth, wants to become an exemplary Nazi. He and his best friend, Yorki, go away to a training camp, led by Klezendorf, a buffoonish closeted gay Nazi, in the woods.Along the way, Jojo is accompanied by his imaginary friend—Adolf Hitler himself. While at the training camp, Jojo gets bullied for not being able to kill a rabbit, which ...