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 scene we see a Jewish man complaining while assessing his new life in the ghetto, "It can not be worse." Whether or not Oskar is referring to the possible success he might achieve for future business, Steven Spielberg crosses these two scenes together to question Oskar's character as a misanthropist. Although greed and arrogance distorts Oskar's reality, it ironically helps him build his reputation. In Act one, scenes two and three, Oskar is prepping himself in the mirror before leaving his home. Oskar gathers his money together, takes a shot of liquor, and carefully puts on his pin. As he enters a party for the German soldiers he makes sure that his swastika is viewable and his wallet is full. As he buys his way in, he is seen dining alone. He pays close attention to the German soldiers as they are getting their pictures taken and he looks like he wants a piece of the action. He buys a round of drinks for all the people in the room and he smiles for the camera; his name was the topic of conversation at last, but that wasn't all.
Where money equals power it can also equal friendship and right before Oskar meets Amon for the first time, Amon already has a good impression of him. Amon understands Oskars concern for the loss of his Jewish workers because it puts a hole in Oskar's pocket. Oskar's greediness makes Amon laugh and their relationship is no longer delicate. This scene is essential to Oskar and his character because his relationship builds with Amon. Amon, the commandment of the Plaszow labor camp, has enough power to do as he pleases. Amon coincides with Schindler and allows the Jews to go back and work for him. This is when Schindler's power evolves, in my personal opinion I don't think he recognizes what is happening to him at this point in time. However, his authority does not go unnoticed to the Jews and his authority begins to expand. When Stern sends a woman to see Oskar, she breaks down and confesses, "No one dies here." His reputation is threatening to the German regime but comforting to the hopeless Jews. At first, Oskar doesn't like the situation he is in. If the Germans feel he is running his business to save Jewish lives it could cost him his life.
He eventually overcomes his fear and he is compelled to transform into a good Nazi when Amon serves to define him. Amon helps to define Schindler's character because Amon is everything that Oskar is not. Oskar picks up on this on various occasions but the one that sticks to my mind particularly is when he has a moment alone with Amon's maid, Helen. Although the little girl in the red dress appeals to Oskar earlier on, Helen has more of an impact on him. Granted, Oskar is a sucker for beautiful woman but in this scene, the last thing on Oskar's mind is sex. Schindler takes his usual arrogant approach, "Do you know who I am," he asks. As Helen refuses to reply he answers his own question, "I am Schindler." As they proceed to talk, Helen begins to vent, "He beat me because I threw out the bones from diner. " She doesn't understand Amon's motives and feels as though he will take her life sooner rather than later. As the tone of her voice gets tender, Schindler gets closer and starts to open up to her. Helen touches Oskar and he makes an attempt to lift her spirits. Helen manages to touch Oskar deeply as the scene ends. As he sympathizes for Helen the scene ends with a kiss and we finally see some compassion from Oskar Schindler.
When Oskar finds out that Amon beats Helen regularly he begins to distinguish the differences between him and Amon. As Schindler continues to learn about Amon, he learns more about himself and his love for humanity. In the next scene, Amon is intoxicated. He compliments Oskar by saying that he has control. He then proceeds by saying, "Control is power." Under the given circumstance, it is palpable that Amon has little to no control. They both have their own definitions of power and they disagree with one another when they discuss the justification for murder. Amon is slow to catch on and the connection they have with one another diminishes. With the help of Amon, Oskar fathoms his well being and he starts to disregard the motive he once had to make money. At this point in time Steven Spielberg begins to consistently represent Oskar as the "good Nazi". On Oskars birthday, he is pleased to see a cake presented for him. Shortly after he kisses the little girl, he kisses her mother. He understands that he is being watched by the German soldiers and he refuses to care. He emphasizes the kiss and he eventually finds himself spending a day in jail. Steven Spielberg represents Oskar as a "good Nazi" in this scene because Oskar doesn't submit to the general traits that the Nazis obtain and expect of him. Prior to this scene, Oskar uses the power and control he has as a "good Nazi," he does not hesitate to use it. He commands an S.S. officer to supply the Jews with water if they ever decide to open up the carts for them. His instincts take over and he is then seen with a hose. He sprays down every cart, and doesn't forget a single one. Steven Spielberg is one of America's finest directors and he knows how to get good ratings.
As viewers, we hate Oskar's character from the start, but we learn to love him in the end. Whether or not this is an attempt to fill up the seats at a movie theatre, Steven pulls the good out from the bad in his depiction of the Holocaust. As we leave the seats of the theatre or the couch we were sitting on, one thing remains constant: Schindler is a hero that will never be forgotten.