Clayton Johns
ENG2D1-50
Mr. C. Davis
May 8, 2009
Six million; the number of Jewish people murdered between 1933 and 1945. This time period is commonly referred to as the Holocaust. In the novel I Have Lived a Thousand Years by Livia Bitton-Jackson and the motion picture Schindler’s List produced by Steven Spielberg, the main characters, Elli Friedmann and Oskar Schindler in the respective works, change their attitudes towards life based on the extreme situations they face. They show the true meaning of dynamic character. These stories are set in terrible places, like the Plaszow forced labour camps. It was camps like Plaszow that destroyed the moral of prisoners. The mood of the story is driven by Elli’s determination to survive and Oskar’s will power to save as many as he could. These characters show the true meaning of perseverance and the necessity of this quality to survive.
The characters in these two works have very similar attitudes, but are two completely different people. Prior to the war, fourteen year-old Elli Friedmann was a model student. She had no concern for anything, other than her grades. As Hitler’s army invaded Hungary, Elli could not understand what was happening to her academic career. “What about graduation, only three months away? What about our report cards?” (Bitton-Jackson 22). As a prisoner, Elli realized that grades no longer mattered and that it was only survival that mattered. Similarly, Polish businessman Oskar Schindler began to benefit from free Jewish labour as a result of the Nazi invasion. Schindler’s only passion was money and he wanted to make a lot. “I lost a day of production…I expect to be compensated” (Spielberg 2003). Shortly after, Oskar experienced the liquidation of the Krakow ghetto and the cruelty of a forced labour camp. He changed his attitude from money making to saving lives. By the time the war was over Schindler had saved 1100 people, but to him it was not enough. “I could have got more…I didn’t do enough” (Spielberg 2003). From this, it is determined that extreme events have great impacts on humans and that determination is the only way to conquer the impacts we suffer.
Most of Elli’s story takes place in uncomfortable barracks, overcrowded trains, and unsanitary latrines. The concentration camps of Nazi Germany were brutal places. “Mommy, there’s a worm on your spoon! Look, Mommy, there are hundreds of worms in your bowl!” (Bitton-Jackson 102). Prisoners worked 14 hour days and received only one-half hour break to eat the wormy soup. The camps drained everyone’s morale. People began to believe the worst of rumours. “You will find no one. No one survived the death camps” (Bitton-Jackson 180). Elli had remained positive until this point when her brother informed her that she would never see anyone else from her family again because all had perished. It was only a matter of time before working continuously would drive a person crazy. Even so, many remained determined to survive with belief that a better life awaited them. “Heir commandant, I beg to report that my heap of hinges was so unsatisfactory because the machines were being recalibrated this morning” (Spielberg 2003). Both stories have appalling settings that make it incredibly difficult to endure. One wonders how any prisoner could persevere through such adverse conditions.
Only those who were determined to survive had a chance of defeating the Nazi camps. As time passed, prisoners found it increasingly difficult to adjust to life in such different conditions. There was no way for them to adjust to camp rules or life, as the SS continuously changed everything. Elli was one of few people who learned to make the best of what was thrown at her. She did everything to keep herself motivated and encourage her family to go on. Her determination at such a young age brings one to a feeling of sorrow as she marches on her journey to survival. “Mommy, you must. You can make it” (Bitton-Jackson 195). Schindler also brings tears to the eyes as he saved so many from death. Every person he saved was grateful and worked well for him. “Thank you sir…It is an honour to work for such a great company” (Spielberg 2003). Everyone was thankful there was no fear of death in Oskar’s factory. This helps the viewer feel better about some of the deaths in the film. It was Elli’s and the Schindler Jews’ will to survive that kept them from perishing.
Perseverance was the key to surviving the Holocaust. It took the will of people like Elli Friedmann and the hearts of people like Oskar Schindler for Jews to survive the Holocaust. Their dynamic personalities showed to everyone that we must persevere through the worst of adverse conditions to achieve our goals. Their perseverance through grueling spectacles and horrible conditions shows their determination for survival. It is because of their personalities and effort that one can be so moved.
Bibliography
Bitton-Jackson, Livia. I Have Lived a Thousand Years. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 1999.
Schindler’s List. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Perf. Liam Neeson, Itzhak Stern and Ralph Fiennes. DVD. Universal Pictures, 1993.
ENG2D1-50
Mr. C. Davis
May 8, 2009
Six million; the number of Jewish people murdered between 1933 and 1945. This time period is commonly referred to as the Holocaust. In the novel I Have Lived a Thousand Years by Livia Bitton-Jackson and the motion picture Schindler’s List produced by Steven Spielberg, the main characters, Elli Friedmann and Oskar Schindler in the respective works, change their attitudes towards life based on the extreme situations they face. They show the true meaning of dynamic character. These stories are set in terrible places, like the Plaszow forced labour camps. It was camps like Plaszow that destroyed the moral of prisoners. The mood of the story is driven by Elli’s determination to survive and Oskar’s will power to save as many as he could. These characters show the true meaning of perseverance and the necessity of this quality to survive.
The characters in these two works have very similar attitudes, but are two completely different people. Prior to the war, fourteen year-old Elli Friedmann was a model student. She had no concern for anything, other than her grades. As Hitler’s army invaded Hungary, Elli could not understand what was happening to her academic career. “What about graduation, only three months away? What about our report cards?” (Bitton-Jackson 22). As a prisoner, Elli realized that grades no longer mattered and that it was only survival that mattered. Similarly, Polish businessman Oskar Schindler began to benefit from free Jewish labour as a result of the Nazi invasion. Schindler’s only passion was money and he wanted to make a lot. “I lost a day of production…I expect to be compensated” (Spielberg 2003). Shortly after, Oskar experienced the liquidation of the Krakow ghetto and the cruelty of a forced labour camp. He changed his attitude from money making to saving lives. By the time the war was over Schindler had saved 1100 people, but to him it was not enough. “I could have got more…I didn’t do enough” (Spielberg 2003). From this, it is determined that extreme events have great impacts on humans and that determination is the only way to conquer the impacts we suffer.
Most of Elli’s story takes place in uncomfortable barracks, overcrowded trains, and unsanitary latrines. The concentration camps of Nazi Germany were brutal places. “Mommy, there’s a worm on your spoon! Look, Mommy, there are hundreds of worms in your bowl!” (Bitton-Jackson 102). Prisoners worked 14 hour days and received only one-half hour break to eat the wormy soup. The camps drained everyone’s morale. People began to believe the worst of rumours. “You will find no one. No one survived the death camps” (Bitton-Jackson 180). Elli had remained positive until this point when her brother informed her that she would never see anyone else from her family again because all had perished. It was only a matter of time before working continuously would drive a person crazy. Even so, many remained determined to survive with belief that a better life awaited them. “Heir commandant, I beg to report that my heap of hinges was so unsatisfactory because the machines were being recalibrated this morning” (Spielberg 2003). Both stories have appalling settings that make it incredibly difficult to endure. One wonders how any prisoner could persevere through such adverse conditions.
Only those who were determined to survive had a chance of defeating the Nazi camps. As time passed, prisoners found it increasingly difficult to adjust to life in such different conditions. There was no way for them to adjust to camp rules or life, as the SS continuously changed everything. Elli was one of few people who learned to make the best of what was thrown at her. She did everything to keep herself motivated and encourage her family to go on. Her determination at such a young age brings one to a feeling of sorrow as she marches on her journey to survival. “Mommy, you must. You can make it” (Bitton-Jackson 195). Schindler also brings tears to the eyes as he saved so many from death. Every person he saved was grateful and worked well for him. “Thank you sir…It is an honour to work for such a great company” (Spielberg 2003). Everyone was thankful there was no fear of death in Oskar’s factory. This helps the viewer feel better about some of the deaths in the film. It was Elli’s and the Schindler Jews’ will to survive that kept them from perishing.
Perseverance was the key to surviving the Holocaust. It took the will of people like Elli Friedmann and the hearts of people like Oskar Schindler for Jews to survive the Holocaust. Their dynamic personalities showed to everyone that we must persevere through the worst of adverse conditions to achieve our goals. Their perseverance through grueling spectacles and horrible conditions shows their determination for survival. It is because of their personalities and effort that one can be so moved.
Bibliography
Bitton-Jackson, Livia. I Have Lived a Thousand Years. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 1999.
Schindler’s List. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Perf. Liam Neeson, Itzhak Stern and Ralph Fiennes. DVD. Universal Pictures, 1993.
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