What moved Oskar Schindler to do what he did? I can find nothing predictive in his life up to the span of time in which this event occurred. My interpretation of his prior life would lead me to believe his weakness would have permitted him to use the Jews to further his business and then cast them back to the Nazis and walk away, similar to others at that time. The most that I thought he was capable of was maybe to take his own life in a downward spiral leading to despair.
Well Schindler certainly did not follow that path. I would love to have known his mind and how it developed during the years that these people worked for him. He began this journey as a Nazi party member willing to do what was necessary for the success of the state but more fundamentally for the profitability of his business. He slowly transformed his mindset and apparently began to think of his predicament in another light. Why? Again, I would like to know.
It could not have been long before he realized that these camps were used for another purpose than just labor camps. I am sure he could see and smell the odor of death when he had to pick up more workers. It is at such times that he must have fully understood these people who worked for him would suffer the same fate. As Germany began to lose the war it surely must have become obvious to Schindler that his Jewish workers' days were numbered. I think too that he realized that any attempt to shield these people from their fate would certainly subject him to the same fate. Nevertheless, he went forward. This was the point of his epiphany and transformation. I truly love and admire Oskar Schindler!
By David Evans
2 comments:
The person in this photo isn't Oskar Schindler; it's Hermann Goring, one of Hitler's top henchmen, and one of the Nazis who first thought of the idea of killing the Jews through starvation and cruelty. The real Oskar Schindler was not part of the German army, as Goring was, hence the uniform. Schindler was a businessman, and typically wore regular clothes, suits, etc. He would not have worn the uniform we see here; this was only for those in the service. Schindler was a member of the Nazi party, but not part of the German military.
Oh my God! You are correct, vot un dumpkov ein am. I will post a photo in respect of the good man.
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