Reading 12 Schindler's List
What makes a person 'heroic?' Does a hero possess certain qualities? Or is a hero defined by his or her actions? Was Schindler a hero?
This reading is about Oskar Schindler, a person who at first pretty much held the personality like that of a businessman. He was able to convince the Nazis to let him take over a failed cookware factory. By using low-paid Jewish workers from a ghetto the Nazis had built, his profits from selling mess kits to the German soldiers were exceptionally high. One day, he and his friend went horse riding up in the hills that overlooked the city of Cracow (Krakow). From here, the two friends could see everything that happened. Of course, what they saw was total chaos. Soldiers storming around, people running and wialing for help, citizens of all ages, from baby to the elders, trying to hide, some being shot, spilling blood all over the streets. Schindler could never have forgotten this awful picture, and that was all it took to change him. Instead of worrying about making money, he now used enormous amounts of his money to help his Jewish workers, so that they are safe. He turned his factory into an official subcamp of a new labor camp in Plazow. When the Nazis demanded that both camps were to be closed and relocate the Jews to Auschwitz, he refused. He used his money to ship about eleven hundred Jews that he claimed to be his workers. He bribed the Nazi officials a decent amount to bring back the women in his factory that had been transported to Auschwitz by mistake.
In my opinion, there are two factors, or qualities, that a hero requires. Thought and action. First of all, a hero must have their own thoughts and opinion in whatever situation it is. Here, in Schindler's story, he disagrees with the Nazis on what they're doing to the Jews. Then, secondly, he or she must be brave enough to take action, despite the fact that it might result in him/herself being punished. So here it is - Schindler, a businessman who cooperated with the Nazis, had now turned his back to them and decided on helping the Jews. And indeed, this was a dangerous step. He could have been arrested and put to court. It doesn't matter if the hero succeeds or not, neither does it have to be in public. As long as they know what they're doing and they have that bravery that is needed, they are considered hero. So yes, I would say that Schlinder is a hero, because he has achieved all of what it takes to become one; Thought, consideration, bravery, and action.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sonia Weitz - In Memory of My Mother
In Memory to My Mother by Sonia Weitz
This poem was one of the two amoung three poems that appealed to me. The other poem that got my interest was Victory. Somehow, I ended up with this one, In Memory to My Mother. I annotated quite abit, although at first it took some time to get the meaning out of it. The first thing that approached my mind was sadness. Sadness and misery. Sorrowful and mournful. Hopelessness and despair. It was merely filled to the brim with grief. Sonia Weitz did a wonderful job expressing her feelings, especially when this is a true story, and she's been there herself. This poem is about the death of her mother and her feelings and scars that the horrible event left her with. It starts off with some very touching questions that introduces the whole picture and mood of the poem. The author uses many phrases that adds to the feeling of misery, such as "that rainy autumn day". Throughout the poem, the author used many similes and metaphors, as well as many phrases that emphasized on the mood. There were 2 parts that I felt were my favourites. The first is "You tell the world, my child." This was a sentence spoken by her mother before she died. This simple sentence here, six words, has a mixture of resentment, and indignation, but at the same time, love and desperation. "You tell the world" to me, is a bit similar to saying "avenge us". When "my child" is added to the phrase, it now carries the sense of desperation and love as well. Sonia's mother is putting all her hope and dreams onto her daughter, whom she loves so much. This feeling is repeated again in the second part of the poem where it says "I promised I would tell the world". Only that this time, it's shown through the daughter, Sonia Weitz herself, not her mother. The second part I favored was the phrase "It pierced my heart, and squeezed it dry." This is another example of how the author really expresses the feeling in the poem. "Squeezed it dry" is describing how the Holocaust had left a severe damage in her, and how it took everything away from her, even the ones whe loved most. I can't really make connections with this Sonia's experience since it was no where near anything I have ever experienced, or will ever experience at all. But my worst moments I remember were when my grandparents passed away. It's the feeling that you're losing someone so important, someone that you care, but have never really had the chance to spend much time with them. The death that affected me most was probably my grandfather (father's side) which was pretty recently, last year on the 5th of October. I guess it was because I was grown up enough to understand love, and what it meant. My grandmother (mother's side) passed away when I was about 5 -6 years old, and at that time it didn't affect me as much, until now I really start to miss her. Sonia Weitz's poem was emotional, and I believe only her and her fellow friends that went through it with her could explain it this well.
This poem was one of the two amoung three poems that appealed to me. The other poem that got my interest was Victory. Somehow, I ended up with this one, In Memory to My Mother. I annotated quite abit, although at first it took some time to get the meaning out of it. The first thing that approached my mind was sadness. Sadness and misery. Sorrowful and mournful. Hopelessness and despair. It was merely filled to the brim with grief. Sonia Weitz did a wonderful job expressing her feelings, especially when this is a true story, and she's been there herself. This poem is about the death of her mother and her feelings and scars that the horrible event left her with. It starts off with some very touching questions that introduces the whole picture and mood of the poem. The author uses many phrases that adds to the feeling of misery, such as "that rainy autumn day". Throughout the poem, the author used many similes and metaphors, as well as many phrases that emphasized on the mood. There were 2 parts that I felt were my favourites. The first is "You tell the world, my child." This was a sentence spoken by her mother before she died. This simple sentence here, six words, has a mixture of resentment, and indignation, but at the same time, love and desperation. "You tell the world" to me, is a bit similar to saying "avenge us". When "my child" is added to the phrase, it now carries the sense of desperation and love as well. Sonia's mother is putting all her hope and dreams onto her daughter, whom she loves so much. This feeling is repeated again in the second part of the poem where it says "I promised I would tell the world". Only that this time, it's shown through the daughter, Sonia Weitz herself, not her mother. The second part I favored was the phrase "It pierced my heart, and squeezed it dry." This is another example of how the author really expresses the feeling in the poem. "Squeezed it dry" is describing how the Holocaust had left a severe damage in her, and how it took everything away from her, even the ones whe loved most. I can't really make connections with this Sonia's experience since it was no where near anything I have ever experienced, or will ever experience at all. But my worst moments I remember were when my grandparents passed away. It's the feeling that you're losing someone so important, someone that you care, but have never really had the chance to spend much time with them. The death that affected me most was probably my grandfather (father's side) which was pretty recently, last year on the 5th of October. I guess it was because I was grown up enough to understand love, and what it meant. My grandmother (mother's side) passed away when I was about 5 -6 years old, and at that time it didn't affect me as much, until now I really start to miss her. Sonia Weitz's poem was emotional, and I believe only her and her fellow friends that went through it with her could explain it this well.
Monday, February 20, 2012
The Rise of Hitler - Germany 1918 - 1933
We have been studying about Nazi Germany and the rise of Hitler. Now let's think back and recall what factors helped Hitler to rise to such great power. Well let's start off with the conditions that Germany was in. I'd consider that Hitler was very, very lucky at that time. The Treaty of Versailles had put Germany in a bad state, causing the hyperinflation, which next lead to the Great Depression. People had no way to go, and all they needed then was someone to come and take them out of this state. Hitler saw this chance and immediately stepped up and promised the people that if they elected him, he would abolish the Treaty of Versailles, which the majority of the people disliked. This was a very clever move, because it made so many people turn round to him; it brought the Nazis 33% of the vote, when they had only started off with 2%. What a huge increase!! Because so many people wanted Hitler, the Weimar Republic decided to appoint Hitler Chancellor. Hitler's next lucky event was when President Hindenburg died. After his death, Hitler was able to win the hearts and trust of the people, and became the legal dictator of Germany. Last, but not least, the Reichstag Fire. For this, Hitler seized the oppurtunity to blame it all on the Communists and other political parties, which were a threat to him. Using propaganda, Hitler managed to persuade the people to believe that whatever he was doing was completely fair and just. These propaganda were spread all around through poster, radio, newspapers, leaflets, and speeches. Propaganda worked out so well for the Nazis (thanks to Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda). Hitler's speeches were so strong and persuasive that the people of Germany believed that he would be a strong and smart leader for them. And because of all these reasons, they elected Hitler to be their leader.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Nuremberg Laws
The Nuremberg Laws
Who could now be defined as a "Jew"?
People who had three or four Jewish grandparents were all considered Jew, regardless of whether they themselves were Jews or not.
What was meant by "Aryanizing" Jewish Businesses?
This means that all the businesses owned by the Jewish people were taken over by the Germans (non - Jewish) and all the workers and manages were kicked out of their jobs.
How were Jews who were professionals restricted?
The Jewish lawyers were no longer allowed to practice law, and the Jewish doctors were not allowed to treat the non-Jewish people.
What did Jewish identity cards needed to include now?
Jewish people now had to have a red 'J' stamped on their identity cards as well as a middle name for those that didn't have a Jewish name in the first place. For men it was 'Israel' and for women it was 'Sara'.
What was the "Law for the Protection of the Hereditary Health of the German people"?
This law requires people who are getting married to have a certificate certifying that he or she is in fit health to marry. These certificates were given by the public health authorities. Requests for certificates would be denied for those that have hereditary illnesses or contagious diseases and those planning to marry that are in conditions against the Nuremberg Laws.
Who could now be defined as a "Jew"?
People who had three or four Jewish grandparents were all considered Jew, regardless of whether they themselves were Jews or not.
What was meant by "Aryanizing" Jewish Businesses?
This means that all the businesses owned by the Jewish people were taken over by the Germans (non - Jewish) and all the workers and manages were kicked out of their jobs.
How were Jews who were professionals restricted?
The Jewish lawyers were no longer allowed to practice law, and the Jewish doctors were not allowed to treat the non-Jewish people.
What did Jewish identity cards needed to include now?
Jewish people now had to have a red 'J' stamped on their identity cards as well as a middle name for those that didn't have a Jewish name in the first place. For men it was 'Israel' and for women it was 'Sara'.
What was the "Law for the Protection of the Hereditary Health of the German people"?
This law requires people who are getting married to have a certificate certifying that he or she is in fit health to marry. These certificates were given by the public health authorities. Requests for certificates would be denied for those that have hereditary illnesses or contagious diseases and those planning to marry that are in conditions against the Nuremberg Laws.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Hitler Takes Control
Hitler Takes Control: Targeting the Communists and other Political Parties
What are Civil Rights? What are some that we have?
Civil Rights are rights that civilians hold. These rights may include the right to vote, the right to freedom of speech, right to equality, etc.
Why might some of Hitler's measures in abolishing personal freedoms and Civil Rights be seen by some as a positive or necessary move?
I think that some of Hitler's acts in destroying personal freedoms and civil rights may have been seen by some people that it was necessary. This is because at that time, Germany was falling apart; there were many people who were going through depression, many that were wounded and injured from the Great War and hadn't recovered, people who had survived through the war but were still in a state of shock or panic, not being able to forget the terrible memories from the war, etc. With all this trouble, there would have definitely been some chaos caused and everyone was in need of some to just come and get things right. And Hitler had promised them that, which at that time many people trusted him. They might think that if the government has access to some personal calls, mails, and other form of communication, it would lower the chances of crime being caused and everything would be under control. But there is also another reason. When the Reichstag was burned down, Hitler seized the opportunity to get rid of his opponents by blaming it all on the Communists. Everyone now thought that these Communists should be punished, and this was a way to make things safer so that they won't be able to communicate with each other secretly and find a chance to rise against and overthrow the government.
What are Civil Rights? What are some that we have?
Civil Rights are rights that civilians hold. These rights may include the right to vote, the right to freedom of speech, right to equality, etc.
Why might some of Hitler's measures in abolishing personal freedoms and Civil Rights be seen by some as a positive or necessary move?
I think that some of Hitler's acts in destroying personal freedoms and civil rights may have been seen by some people that it was necessary. This is because at that time, Germany was falling apart; there were many people who were going through depression, many that were wounded and injured from the Great War and hadn't recovered, people who had survived through the war but were still in a state of shock or panic, not being able to forget the terrible memories from the war, etc. With all this trouble, there would have definitely been some chaos caused and everyone was in need of some to just come and get things right. And Hitler had promised them that, which at that time many people trusted him. They might think that if the government has access to some personal calls, mails, and other form of communication, it would lower the chances of crime being caused and everything would be under control. But there is also another reason. When the Reichstag was burned down, Hitler seized the opportunity to get rid of his opponents by blaming it all on the Communists. Everyone now thought that these Communists should be punished, and this was a way to make things safer so that they won't be able to communicate with each other secretly and find a chance to rise against and overthrow the government.
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