This book deepened my understanding of philosophical issues but raised questions as well. How is one’s goodness perpetuated? Terminated? How can someone’s attitude be so easily changed? To what extent do we hold onto our own opinions? How far will we go for the ones we love? I will address these questions to the best of my ability.
To many people, the Nazis did impossible things; they instilled their evils in an entire generation of young people. Fritz’s drastic change from diffident to ruthless demonstrates that goodness is a delicate thing that can be easily penetrated. Using tactics of terror, alienation, and indoctrination, the Nazis were able to obliterate his kindhearted nature.
Our beliefs shaped by those of the people around us. We will only believe ideas that are supported and validated by others. Therefore, the children in Germany, who have only been exposed to one perspective their whole life, have nothing to compare it to because of the lack of diversity. Since they are only allowed to listen to those who agree with Nazis, they can only entrust the Nazis to educate them. Michael, on the other hand, hears many perspectives. His parents, who are Irish ambassadors, and Simon, a British pilot, keep him sane with their words of reason. Different perspectives are essential for one to develop a wholesome understanding, as they allow for juxtaposition and comparison.
Fritz, in contrast, is extremely corrupted. His personality at the end is completely unrecognizable. In the beginning, the others bullied him, “Fritz dropped to the ground and curled into a ball, the boys kicking him and punching and kicking him where he lay..”(39). But in the end, he becomes the monster others fear, completely unfazed by violence. He drops a bomb even if it means killing masses of innocent people, “Hundreds of innocent people are killed all over Germany each night…This is no different.”(264). Being treated poorly, Fritz develops a thirst for revenge. Michael and Fritz started out the same way, but nurture eventually dominates Fritz’s nature.
Though the reign of the Nazis was almost a century ago, the shock of the aftermath provides us a valuable lesson. We never know how far people are willing to go in extraordinary circumstances; the Nazis stunned the world with their atrocious actions. Learning about Nazi Germany makes me feel so fortunate to live in a place where we can express our opinions freely, for disagreement and discord are what force us to carefully contemplate who and what we support.
(Apologies if this was a bit long, I just had a lot to say!)
I agree. I liked how you wrote, “Since they are only allowed to listen to those who agree with Nazis, they can only entrust the Nazis to educate them. Michael, on the other hand, hears many perspectives.” My book, “The Book Thief,” is the story of a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany and how she develops a strong moral compass for herself rather than what society dictates. She learns from different perspectives and grows out of society’s brainwashed mindset. The Nazis understand the influence of perspectives and try to eradicate all aspects of it that contradict their ideology. “The Germans loved to burn things. Shops, synagogues, Reichstags, houses, personal items, slain people, and of course books.” By destroying everything that disagrees with the Nazi ideology, they are controlling how society behaves and thinks. I thought your paragraph was very well written, and the message was well delivered!