Theme Of First They Come

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In 1947, Martin Niemöller’s short poem became an iconic reminder of the consequences of the Holocaust. In his poem, First they came… , Niemöller exposes his unwillingness to help the victims of the Holocaust and the guilt he carries along with his actions. Niemöller blames himself for his inability to speak against this evil and warns the reader of a similar fate. His poem also relates to the works, Night by Elie Wiesel and Hangman by Maurice Ogden. All three have the same theme; that it is one’s solemn duty to stand against injustice.