Schindler's List
The two films we watched for this week exemplifies that one person can make a difference. These two men, Wallenberg and Schindler, did so in different ways and with different morals. In the film Good Evening Mr. Wallenberg, it is obvious that Wallenberg is no diplomat or does it seems those around him approve of his mission to Budapest. It wasn’t until he saw the transit in Hungry where bodies were being dumped out and a man being shot that Wallenberg decided he needed to do something about it. He later came back to Budapest with the mission to help as many Jews as he could. Armed with Swedish passports and ‘neutral’ houses, he was able to save tens of thousands of Jews. He was one man and only the title of the Swedish Embassy for protection, but was able to take on the Nazis and saved thousands even when people didn’t think he would be able to or when his life was in danger again and again.
Oskar Schnidler aided the Jews on a different account and that was not his initial intentions for going to Poland. As noted in the lecture and movie, Schnidler was not a typical Holocaust hero because he was part of the SS, a playboy, and didn’t shy away from taking bribes or giving them. He originally came to Poland to find cheap labor, but after seeing the deportation of the Krakow ghetto he decided he wanted to do something to help the Jews. Schindler never set out to be a hero, or to help the Jews, but ended up doing so because he didn’t like the injustice he saw. Through his factory at the Plaszow concentration camp and Brinnlitz he was able to save 1,200 Jews from being liquidated. Even when the women’s train went to Auschwitz, he figured out a way to bring them to Czechoslovakia. He did everything in his power to make sure those on his list were saved.
Both of these men acted courageously to help so many Jews despite the dangers and risks. Schindler had it slightly easier because he was German and an SS so he was able to be in good light with other SS officers to bribe them. Apart from saving the Jews, he wouldn’t what you would consider a ‘good’ person because he used bribes before, is with other women besides his wife, and was an SS officer. Nevertheless, he still had a conscience and did what he thought was right by helping the Jews. Wallenberg had more to deal with and pushed his limits again and again to eventually safe house almost 35,000 Jews at one point in Budapest. What was happening to the Jews weren’t right to him so he took it upon himself to do something about it and not wait for others to intervene. They weren’t trying to be heroes, but did what they thought was right because they couldn’t see cruelty imposed upon others.
They chose to do something despite the risk, but millions of others did nothing for various reasons. One of the victim’s in Schindler’s List said that the Poles hated the Jews and for the Jews to be gone then they would have the apartments and jobs the Jews had so it would be better for them. She saw why some Poles wouldn’t have done anything to help herself and other Jews because the Poles would benefit a lot from it. There were a lot of economic woes at that time some people didn’t want to have to worry about anyone if they couldn’t even take care of their own family. I think that the Nazi regime, propaganda, and fear were so strong that most people just went along with it because they knew the consequences for disobeying it would be a death sentence. The Nazi created his regime of oppression where those who turned Jews in were rewarded and those who helped them were criminals. That doesn’t excuse people to turn their moral compass the other way, but it did make millions feel as if they couldn’t do anything about it and allowed the events of the Holocaust to happen. So much suffering and hate occurred during the war, but there were hundreds of thousands who aided the Jews in feeding them, sheltering them, and taking them in order to escape deportation. Neighbors took in Jewish children as their own, convents took children in as orphans, and many Jews were hidden by trusted friends.
I love what Maria had to say in the movie Good Evening, Mr. Wallenberg. She chose to be naked most of the time because she wanted the Nazis and those who hated the Jews to see that she was a real human being. That she was an ordinary person like them with an ordinary body and ordinary breasts. She wanted them to see that she was human too and how could they go on killing so many people when they are all the same.
Tran, your point that Wallenberg was not a diplomat is important and needs to be fleshed out. How do you think a diplomat would have behaved in Wallenberg's situation? What good would diplomacy have done against the Nazis?
ReplyDeleteI don't think he would have been able to do as much if he was an actual diplomat. I think that would hinder his ability somewhat since he would be a diplomat in a Nazi controlled Hungary and have to obey their laws. He would also have to follow the instructions of the Swedish Embassy and not do as he wish. By not being a diplomat, 1) he can be his own boss and do what he wants 2) though he is there with the Swedish Embassy, he doesn't have to be tied in with their title if he doesn't want to 3) he doesn't have a formal job there and can set up his own plan of action. He uses the protection of the Swedish Embassy, but goes around and help save Jews with the passport he has been issued. Even in the movie when one of the head of the Swedish Embassy tells him that he must go home to Sweden with them and has done enough, he says that he doesn't work for the Embassy and will do what he wants even when the man says that he is starting to become a problem for both Sweden and America. If it was just a regular diplomat there, then maybe he would have listened and went back to Sweden because he doesn't have much of a choice and has to be a figure for his country. I don't think diplomacy would have worked well against the Nazis because they control everything and you would still have to play by their rules! Plus they would have had even more power over you because they could just expel you from their country.
ReplyDeleteGudan: Comment on Tran's blog on Schindler and Wallenberg
ReplyDeleteYou mention the fact that Schindler rescued the women on his list even after they were sent to Auschwitz. For me, this was the most convincing point about Schindler’s goodness, heroism, or whatever you choose to call it. Obviously, his original motives were not necessarily humanitarian in effort, but I feel that while moving the Jews to his hometown was a clear marker for his honesty in saving lives, this event is the most touching. It seems like the culmination of all the hopeful remarks he would give his workers, or all the various stories where he took up for individuals in his factory. Beyond than asking for his 1,200 souls, he delivered on his promise, even when that promise became difficult, such as rescuing the women from Auschwitz. If he was really just a shrewd businessmen, he could have given up on the women. They had a death sentence hanging over their heads. They must’ve felt betrayed, scared, and angry for being sent to Auschwitz when Schindler had expressly promised to protect them. Whatever strings he had to pull or officers he had to bribe, I find this aspect of Schindler’s rescue the most touching.
I liked your explanation of how Wallenberg not being a diplomat helped him in his mission to save innocent people. Wallenberg himself even makes this distinction during the film. Like you pointed out, Wallenberg refuses to follow orders and leave Budapest, allowing him to convince the Nazi officer in charge to stop the annihilation of the ghettos. If he were a diplomat his tactics would have to be much different; he would probably not be willing able to break the rules of diplomacy even in order to save people. His very purpose was not part of a diplomatic career as the people he saved had no relation to Sweden, and he made many enemies along the way. In the end, he completely sheds his diplomat facade which I believe is what allows his Jewish counterparts to trust in him more fully.
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