by Alan Squatrito

Created on: September 17, 2008   Last Updated: November 27, 2008

Holocaust: History and Film GENED 303 12/12/05

If I gave a poor man my lunch everyday in order to lose a few pounds, I might just be looking out for myself. Conversely, I might also be a saint. This is symbolic to Oskar's character because he uses the Jews to run a factory in order to make money for himself. Since trade is more valuable to the Jews in the ghetto, he does not have to pay them a dime or hire the Poles to do his work. Earlier on in the film, Oskar saves Stern's life when he gets him off the train heading for a concentration camp. Inhumanely, he yells to Stern, "What if I got here three minutes later? Then where would I be?" Steven Spielberg's initial representation of Oskar views him as a money hungry business man with no concern for others. He realizes what has to be done for the good of mankind when he reevaluates his definition of war. As his status grows throughout the film, he slothfully envisages that his purpose in Poland is to save lives, but before he comes to this epiphany, he has to overcome the view he has of himself and the view he has of others. Steven Spielberg eternally depicts Oskar as a "good Nazi," but in order to be a "good Nazi," he has to become a typical one.

Greed and arrogance distorts his perception of reality for the first two acts and Steven Spielberg places a glass of liquor to Oskar's lips every time Oskar feels business is at its best. While people are trying to get away from war, Oskar leaves his home town ( Zwittau-Brinnlitz ) to get closer to it. At first he believes that war makes the difference between success and failure but he is surely mistaken. When Oskar meets Stern for the first time at the Judenrat, he discusses his intentions to run a business for pots and pans. At a time of confusion and vulnerability, Stern agrees to Oskar's proposal as plans manager, but he is still skeptical of Schindler's character. As they continue to discuss business, Schindler makes his identity a little bit clearer, "My father said the three most important things to have in life are: a doctor, a forgiving priest, and an accountant. I never had much use for the first two." This quote shows that he is only interested in money; it also implies that he cares for no one else other than himself.

In Act one, scene nine, the Jews are forced to leave their homes behind. Shortly after, Oskar is seen entering an abandoned apartment with joy. He lies on someone else's bed and is caught saying, "It can not be better." Immediately after this

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