German Guilt in Bernhard Schlink's The Reader

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Every year or so, something happens in the media that brings us all back to the atrocities of World War II, and the German persecution of the Jews. It seems that the horrors of that time can only be digested and understood in small bites. How else can we personalize and comprehend a tragedy of that magnitude? Most of what we read and view in the media about the holocaust is a perspective from the Jewish experience. Recently, however, a question has been posed in regards to finding closure with that troubling piece of history from the German conscience. Can one German's experience reflect the tendencies of the entire country with regards to passion, denial, guilt, and finally justice?

Absolutely, according to Michael Berg, the main character in Bernhard Schlink?s novel, The Reader. After being hypnotized for two days while I read this very interesting story, I would have to agree. Once I saw the startling similarities in the area of seduction, the door opened for me to see what I believe Schlink was trying to show all along. We are capable of behaving in quite extraordinary ways, but when all is said and done, we must live with the consequences of our actions, as individuals or as a Nation. Although we may deny the motives of our past actions, either good or bad, the truth does not change, and with the truth comes a reckoning,

The book starts in post-war Germany. A fifteen year old Michael Berg is assisted by a beautiful older woman after vomiting in the street. He is very ill and needs months to recover from Hepatitis, but goes back to thank the woman, Hanna, as soon as he is fit enough to leave his home. Although Mich...

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...anting to forgive the German war criminals, (Hanna), but being unable to openly because it would appear to condone the actions. He speaks of something being so horrific that the mind can become numb to it. What would his approach to Hanna have been if he had not been involved with her emotionally? The questions keep coming, with no easy answers. Michael tries to atone for his betrayal of Hanna by reading books to her on cassette, then sending them to her in prison. Hanna learns to read and gains understanding of the Holocaust. She tries to atone for her involvement by leaving her earnings to a survivor and after she dies, Michael attempts to carry out her will. The survivor refuses the money, and sends Michael on his way with no sympathy. This book leaves many of us quietly asking ourselves, ?What would I have done??. It also demands to be read again.

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