Schindler's List

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.