Lit Terms 2
5 years ago
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Morally Outraged?
I wasn't originally planning to post any more about "Europa, Europa," but I have been extremely interested in some of the written responses from this class. Brock's comment on the previous post made me decide to pursue this topic. Perel "became" Aryan, not just Aryan, but actually a German soldier and then a member of the Hitler Youth, in this movie. Some of the class have viewed this as admirable, a triumph of sorts because he "outsmarted" the Nazis. Others have been almost morally outraged at his decision, and have viewed it as a betrayal of his people and his brothers. I would venture to guess that Holocaust survivors who have viewed this movie also have varying opinions on the topic. For the sake of argument, I will keep my personal opinion to myself, but I DO feel strongly on one side of the issue. If this post speaks to anyone, I am very curious to hear your opinions.
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6 comments:
At first, I didn't like his tactics. I can't really explain it but something in me was really upset that he didn't make a stand for his religion and his people like so many others did. However, I've had a slight change of Heart.
This story was really different from the others we've seen for a lot of reasons. That way his family dealt with things was different and obviously his way of surviving was different. But they all survived. Who's to say that one person's way of survival is any better than another's. It would be different if he had sold someone else out or something. But he didn't, and when it came down to it he even defended his people a few times. He also really didn't know that everyone was being murdered.
Also reading the list of quotes for the response assignment, one of them stuck out to me. It was the one where the last thing his mother said to him was something to the effect of "stay alive." When I think about the affect that probably had on him, its easier to understand where he was coming from.
Personally I would have done the exact same thing if i were in his position. Its all about survival in his situation, and since he understood the situation he took the necessary actions to survive, something most other Jews didn't seem to be able to do. He did nothing to hurt anyone so I see no moral issues whatsoever.
I was outraged by the actions of this man. Why betray your own people?! I can not fathom the man, who is JEWISH, becoming a Nazi.
He is still part of the Nazi party. What makes him different? He didn't kill anyone. Yet he's still apart of the group who slaughtered over 12 million innocent people. Just like today if you're apart of a group and do something wrong...then the police show up. Guess who is in trouble? Everyone.
Does that make him a better Nazi? Sure doesn't in my honest opinion. Why? He knew what the Nazis were doing to the Jewish people (and others, of course)...so why go off and be apart of that killing machine? I don't understand why he didn't leave the Nazis.
That is betraying. I do not betray people and I would never, if I were in his shoes, become a Nazi if it meant saving my life. I would rather give up my life than be a Nazi...Heaven is more peaceful and exciting anyway. Plus I never want to be apart of a group that has joy in torturing and wants to destroy innocent lives.
Just a few of my thoughts on this. :)
I believe he did the best he could with the situation he was in. If he had not he would have either died or become a prisoner. The other people were just jealous that he could elude capture better than they could. If any of them were in his place they would have done the same. One life can make all the difference
First of all, I am amazed that Europa Europa is a true story. It's astonishing that Perel was able to pretend that he was not a Jew and pass as a Hitler youth. My first reaction after watching the movie was "How could he?" It made me mad that Perel didn't suffer with his people and own up to the fact that he was a Jew. I agree with Mr. Guitar that it was wrong for Perel to be a part of the Nazis because he betrayed his people. On the other hand, I give props to Perel for being so clever. I was astounded that even though he came close to being found out, Perel kept the fact that he was a Jew a secret. I think what Perel did was wrong, but as Stephen b. brought up: "he did the best he could with the situation he was in."
At first I didn't like how he gave his allegence to Hitler, and from time to time acted more like a Nazi than a Jew. Then I put myself in his shoes and relized that he had no choice, it was either that or die. I believe I would have tried to do the same thing to survive. So I see nothing Wrong with what he did. - Micah Kidwell
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