In The Garden Of Beast Analysis

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Introduction
This essay reviews ‘In the garden of Beasts’, by Eric Larsson. After an introduction, this review begins by giving a basic summary of the book then discusses some of the central ideas and themes found therein. The third section offers some critical analysis as to the structure, character development, writing style, prose, engagement with the reader, and ability to create a compelling realistic environment given the chosen setting. The final section concludes.
Central Idea (Thesis), (Summation)
There are many interesting themes in this work of historical fiction. It sheds light upon a foreboding pre-world war II Germany in which Hitler has begun to ratchet up anti-Semitic propaganda and discrimination. The following provides a …show more content…

They witness the ransacking of Jewish businesses, increasingly anti-Semitic laws, and the surreal atmosphere of a proud ‘new Germany’ as its young Nazi troops gradually devolve into decadence. In such circumstances some individuals are charged with making great moral decisions. While a number of characters escape their duties for the third Reich, it seems that the vast majority of citizens are all too eager to be complicit in these shocking crimes against Jews. It seems that, as is often the case, any text about the Holocaust has as part of its theme the notion that humanity is capable of indescribably evil acts, and can become extremely dangerous when its willing to follow the dictates of authority figures …show more content…

A key early message of the text reminds the reader that America was not wholly sympathetic to the plight of the Jews. This is of great importance to acknowledge in keeping the historical record straight, rather than whitewashing the role of the American side and depicting them as heroes. Anti-Semitism was common in the US among ordinary people and those in power. This reached even to the point of preferring that Hitler ‘have his way with the Jews’ rather than intervening on their behalf. The US did finally come to the assistance of Europe late in the war, but that was only after all of France had been occupied and after much of London had been reduced to rubble by constant Nazi air raids. It is to Larsson’s credit that he reveals the anti-Semitism in the highest echelons of the US. In fact before the war began Hitler was Time Magazine’s ‘man of the year,’ a historical aberration that should not be

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