Schindler's List is a 1993 film based on a true story about the Jews during the Holocaust. This of-course was during Hitlers reign. Hitler was so against the Jews that he tried every way possible to get rid of them and remove them from the social class. This film focused on Polland during the holocaust as this was one of the earliest country where the Jews were discriminated, taunted and persecuted.
What caused these ill-treatment and the death of millions of Jews was because of the prejudice, discrimination, biases, hatred and aggression towards the Jews. It all ofcourse started with Hitler (this is not depicted in the movie). Hitler, was believed to hate the Jews for many reasons, one was that they were high up in the social status (threatening the jobs and position of the main origins of the land) and another was cause because of Germany's defeat in World War 1 (but we'll never know the what's true and not). This happen to lead him to think that all Jews were the same (prejudice) which lead him to discriminate them, viewing them as the out-group.
Hitler being powerful and respected at that time, influenced and had power over many of his followers such as the soldiers who served him. His false thinking was adopted by his followers. In which it caused hatred, aggression and biases towards the Jews.
What theme surrounds this is the psychology of EVIL: the Lucifer Effect by Zimbardo
- In the Milgram study, subjects were either took the role of Prison Guard or the Prisoner. What was observe that the prison guard took the role seriously after awhile they immerse themselves in it. unconditiona power was given to them and that power was abused. What this experiment depicts is that Power is in the system. Thus the system itself corrupts the individuals (political, cultural background, rules & regulation etc). This is where the power is misused and is implemented and brought by bad-barrel makers. To sum it up, evil is the exercise of power.
This especially can be seen when Goeth came to rule that area in Polland, he shot anyone he wanted to, implemented rules for his district and did whatever he deemed appropriate. He even did business on the side. German Soldiers and even most of the people disrespected the Jews, the were basically treated as dirt. These are the sins committed against humanity because responsibility was already taken by Hitler and power with no consequences were given to these soldiers.
The Lucifer Effect in itself explains conformity, obedience and so on. How someone who could have the purest of heart could do evil acts. Stages that cause these innocent individuals to follow and carry out such action could be seen by seven social processes.
1. Taking the first small step without knowing so
2. Dehumanization of others
3. De-individuation of self
4. DIffusion of personal responsibility
5. Blind obedience to authority
6. Uncritical Conformity to group norms
7. Passive tolerance of evil deeds through inaction or inddifference
Lastly, the victims (Jews) mostly showed perserverence throughtout adversity. This can be seen in many scenes. For example, eventhough the Jews were going thorough alot and was placed in concentration camp, a couple was shown getting married and honoring Jewish custom of marital vows, they even appologize for not having a Rabbi conduct the ceremony. They also preservered by being indenial with the severity of the situation as can be seen when a Jewish lasy talks about the gas chambers and the rest says its imposible. Schindler aswell gave hope to a few of the Jewish community that many more wanted to work for him. The triumph of the human spirit is essential
I would like to end by pointing out a few sybolism of the view such the movie being in black and white, symbol of the girl in red and most importantly Schindler's list.
Film in Black & White: A that time color was already out but the director wanted it to be in black & white. One of ther reason is because it was very difficult to fully depict every detail of that time, so black and white was safer. It also sends a stronger message to the audience, allowing the audience to focus solely on the message it was trying to potray. Color might not have the intensity and depth the director wanted the audience to feel.
Girl in red: Sybolises the innocence of many being slaugthered. It also sybolises death. What I've found out as well is that it had a social significance where the red coat suggests the 'red flag'. This as when the Jews waved a red flage as a cry for help to the Allied powers but sadly that cry was not heard. This ignorance can be seen as the girl walks through it all ignoring her surroundings. This potrays the inaction of the Allies powers.
Schindler's list: The Nazi's list represented evil and death and how the faith of the Jewish people depended on the list whereas Schindler's list depicted life and hope, that the Jews may live and that there is still faith in humanity.
Stern: “The list is an absolute good. The list is life. All around its margins lies the gulf.”
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