Greatness :: essays research papers

When a Jewish girl living in Krakow under false papers visits Schindler, she asks that he hire her p bents to work in his factory.He is infuriated with the girl and she runs from him, fearing her life and liberty. Schindler expresses his rage at Stern, whom heaccuses of harboring Jews in the "haven" of a factory. Schindler is not angry at the root word of his factory as a haven, except the factthat such activities are illegal. However, as the atrocities of the national socialists become more apparent, Schindler begins to see the greatopportunity he is presented with. He hires the girls parents. Although there is no dialogue to give the viewer any direct clues, the scene in which Schindler observes the liquidation of theghetto at Krakow hints at the flip that begins to overtake him. He appears to be gripped by the stark accreditedization of what theNazis are actually doing. He watches from a hill overlooking the ghetto, as Jews are massacred and children are oblivious towhat is happening. The horror of it all overtakes his mistress, and she begs him to sidetrack the tragic scene. Later, the exchange that has overtaken Schindler becomes more apparent. In a conversation with Hauptsturmfuhrer Amon Goeth,Schindler expresses his feelings about the relationship in the midst of that Nazis and the Jews. Goeth states that the reason the Jewsfear the Nazis is because they have the power to push down. Schindler believes otherwise. He says that the power to kill is apunishment to be used in exercising justice, but the real power lies in exercising mercy. According to Schindler, to have anyjustification for killing someone and letting him or her go demonstrates real power. This idea leaves an impression on Goeth,who begins to practice "mercy" the next daylight in his dealings in the concentration camp. Unfortunately, practicing mercy does notleave Goeth with the same fulfillment as murder, and he reverts to his old habits. This demonstrates a fu ndamental frequency difference in the way Goeth and Schindler see the Jews. Goeth views them in typical Nazifashion. His deep-rooted resentments, hatred, and perhaps even sadism, do not allow him to dish out the Jews in a humanefashion. He sees them as a strike to be eliminated, and at the very least a means to an end. He finds joy in shooting innocentJews from his hilltop villa, and from exploiting them in inhumane and unusual ways. He even finds pleasure in beating his maid.