Greatness :: essays research papers

When a Jewish girlfriend living in Krakow under false text file visits Schindler, she asks that he hire her parents 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 " ownn" of a factory. Schindler is not angry at the idea of his factory as a haven, but the factthat such activities are illegal. However, as the atrocities of the Nazis become more than 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 change that begins to overtake him. He appears to be gripped by the stark realization of what theNazis are actually doing. He watches from a hill overlooking the ghetto, as Jews are massacred and children are oblivious towhat is happen ing. The revulsion of it all overtakes his mistress, and she begs him to leave the tragic scene. Later, the change that has overtaken Schindler becomes more apparent. In a conversation with Hauptsturmfuhrer Amon Goeth,Schindler expresses his feelings about the relationship between that Nazis and the Jews. Goeth states that the reason the Jewsfear the Nazis is because they have the power to kill. 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 e actuallyjustification for killing mortal and letting him or her go demonstrates real power. This idea leaves an impression on Goeth,who begins to practice "mercy" the next day 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 fundamental difference in the demean or Goeth and Schindler see the Jews. Goeth views them in typical Nazifashion. His deep-rooted resentments, hatred, and perhaps purge sadism, do not allow him to treat the Jews in a human-centeredfashion. He sees them as a scourge to be eliminated, and at the very least a means to an end. He finds joy in injection innocentJews from his hilltop villa, and from exploiting them in cruel and unusual ways. He however finds pleasure in beating his maid.