In studying Albert Speer, one must account for the changing nature of history through introduction of new information and evidence with each new generation of historians and scholars. In Albert Speer’s case, his interpretation originated from his penitence at the Nuremberg Trials and later developed through contradictions made by historians as evidence and information was exposed in regards to the man “who was too deep for his own good”. At the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal, Speer presented a remorseful face to the world, pleading ignorance. This efficiency was rarely questioned, with many believing he increased production by 300% between 1941 and 1944. Early Speer historians endorsed this view.
Griffin mentions on the common “mask” Himmler’s parent’s wore in photographs. He comments that “but his face has become harder, and his smile, though faint like his mother’s smile, has gained a new quality, harsh and stiff like the little collar he wears” (Griffin, 245). The rigide and tensed postures of the family even makes the audience to catch the awkwardness and heavy atmosphere at that time. As Griffin follows back to Himmler’s life, it is evident that it is inevitable
The short story “Good People” is written by David Foster Wallace in 2007. The story follows Lane A. Dean Jr. and his girlfriend, Sheri Fisher as they sit at a picnic by the lake. The narration is told by Lane Dean as he analyzes the life that he has and wonders if he loves Sheri. “Good People” explores human nature and the topic of hypocrisy, as the two characters are devoted Christians, but are dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. Lane Dean thinks of the option of an abortion, but as a Christian it is seemed as sinful and he does not want to go to Hell.
As he experiences multiple harsh moments, Schindler becomes a decent, unselfish, and a positive manipulating man. Schindler once said, “War brings out the worst in people.”, but he proves his own statement wrong by himself becoming a better man. As Steven Spielberg directs Schindler’s List, he profusely provides us with great details of how Oskar Schindler’s character has
The Holocaust is considered one of the world’s most explicit examples of inhumanity. The German Nazi regime and their collaborators organized and executed the systematic extermination of millions of Jews, homosexuals, and gypsies. The few that survived set forth on a quest to reconstruct their lives, but were often hindered by the trauma they sustained. Simon Wiesenthal, a Holocaust survivor, struggled with his emotions from the war and sought solace by writing about his experiences as well as founding an organization responsible for catching Nazi war criminals. One of his most famous works, The Sunflower, recounts his interaction with a Nazi soldier lying on his deathbed.
Hoss reflects that he was a model prisoner because he was always taught to be obedient to the point of painstakingly neatness so this made him fit into prison life quite well because he always performed his duties to the satisfaction of the foreman and loved the daily routine of it (Ibid, 70). These orders of authority from prison guards makes Hoss satisfied, to the point where the reader almost feels that Hoss enjoyed prison life because of its regular routine and authority of the guards. Hoss’ comfort in prison life foreshadows how Hoss would easily be able to become enthralled by the totalitarian ideology of National Socialism because just like in prison he obeyed higher authority in the SS without question. An interesting moment in Hoss’ memoirs, which show his feeling of devotion and duty towards Germany, is when an inmate tells Hoss that the reason he was in jail was because he killed a pregnant mother and several children. Hoss becomes enraged at the man’s savageness for killing innocent people and never stops to think that he acted the same way when he killed the innocent man that betrayed his friend Schlageter, but justifies the murder he committed as a political murder that was done to protect Germany.
In the wake of Adolf Eichmann’s prosecution for commanding the slaying of over 1 million Jews, Psychologist Stanley Milgram called the role of authority into question. What would propel such evil acts from a seemingly normal man? In spite of what top psychologists assumed the outcome would be, the results were astounding. Despite the deep rooted convictions of the subjects opposed to causing physical harm to others, obedience to authority overcame the majority of the time (The Perils of Obedience by Stanley Milgram) According to Milgram in his famous writing, The Perils of Obedience, “Even Eichmann was sickened when he toured the concentration camps, but had only to sit at a desk and shuffle papers.”
Schindler: A Hero in Disguise It is clear to anyone that has watched the movie, Schindler’s List (Spielberg), that Oskar Schindler, the main character and from which the title is derived was an opportunist. Not only was he focused on creating business opportunities for himself, but was self-indulgent, self-centered, a philanderer and took to alcohol. It is difficult to see this con man has any redeeming qualities and the initial thought are to dislike him. A complex person, with many faults, we see that he is conflicted as he dabbles in the world of evil and aligns himself with monsters to perform good deeds. The charade is not always easy, but Schindler transforms as a war profiteer to a hero of many, especially to those called “Schindler’s
The lesson being taught is to not trying and use unethical means to get things done, and to get things done with intending to hurt the people around
Bernhard Schlink’s novel The Reader, set in Germany in the post-World War II era, explores the social and cultural tensions between the Nazi and Post – Nazi generations in the aftermath of the Third Reich. Schlink uses literary techniques in The Reader to evoke the reader’s sympathy for flawed characters. Schlink does this through using motifs, symbolism, and foreshadowing to portray the protagonists flaw of inferiority and Hanna’s illiteracy. Characterisation and imagery are used to portray the character’s actions, and as a result, the reader’s perception of the characters change throughout the novel.
In Chapter 15, “Go, Hitler,” of Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, Trevor speaks about two life lessons. The first lesson Trevor tries to get through to the audience is the more money you have, the more freedom a person has in life. Trevor experiences this when he gets his first job, making CDs. The second lesson that Trevor is trying to state is the importance of education on important topics throughout the world. Trevor does not understand the sensitive topic of Hitler which caused him to get into trouble.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Hans Hubermann stood strong through moments of adversity. He stuck to his beliefs and personal opinions under the unrelenting reign of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. In The Book Thief Hans Hubermann displayed his morals, a comforting essence, and trustworthiness under horribly negative conditions. First off, Hans Hubermann kept to his own moral beliefs despite the ever-changing society that surrounded him.
Hitler also had many statues of himself, or figures that represented him and his rule. Also, in line 6 Plath mentions her father as “daddy” emphasizing on the childlike sounds. Plath does this to remind the reader that she is writing about her relationship wither father from a very young age. Next, imagery is shown again in lines 32-33 “chuffing me off like a Jew./A Jew to Dachau, Auschwitz, Belsen.”
Hitler’s time in prison gave him time to write “Mein Kampf”. Hitler learnt from this revolt that a violent revolution would not succeed but public speeches and propaganda might (Tonge, 2009
They learned right from wrong, or else said, learning from mistakes. In everyday life people
