Ryan Licht
10/02/2013
Children and Fire:
Review and analysis
This year I have been given the
opportunity to read a great novel called the Children and Fire by Ursula Hegi. This
novel is a great example for what German culture was like during Hitler’s third
reich. The story begins in the winter of 1934, in Fraulein Thekla Jansen's
classroom. We start off reading a discussion about what happened one year ago,
in Berlin, when a fire destroyed the parliament building. Addionally, with the
anniversary of the burning, speculation has been rampant; leading to many
theories as to who caused the attack. One theory is that communists torched the
building, while another is that Nazis did the deed to frame the communists. The
town is paranoid that the same accident can happen in this village. Jansen's
students voice their concerns, with possible solutions for flight to safety.
The teacher feels it is her duty to settle wild imaginations, yet remain within
the rules set forth for her profession by the government. She admits to them
that she, too, was afraid on the nights following the Reichstag's burning.
Thekla has grown up in this village
striving to teach in the convent classroom. However, this means she gets to
replace someone she loves and admires. Fraulein Siderova loses her position because
Adolf Hitler has decreed that Jews can no longer hold such a position. Thekla
is offered her mentor's job but is embarrassed to visit the woman. She is
conflicted by the changes she sees in her country, but cannot rise to object.
Her job itself may be at risk for the least impropriety.
Thekla rents a room in the home of
one of her students, Bruno Stosick, landing in the middle of family turmoil.
Bruno's father opposes the rallies that are held by Hitler's command, which
plant strong political emotions in Germany's youth. Bruno is forbidden to
attend these youth rallies. His mother has to walk Bruno to school and picks
him up afterward, to his embarrassment. To attend the rallies, Bruno sneaks out
at night when he feels his parents are asleep. Thekla observes him sneaking out
at night and is conflicted. Thekla knows that she should intervene and let the
parents know. But she prefers to ignore the purpose of these youth meetings,
thinking that Bruno will become accepted by his peers if allowed to attend.
Further on, the chapters delve into
the year of 1934 where Hegi illustrates how people had to deal with the fears
they had by rules and regulations that were being enforced from their central
government. Hitler took over a country from deep depression, bringing in new
mandates that the citizens may not understand but promised a renewed and
stronger Germany. On a daily basis, propaganda from radio broadcasts, tireless
salutations to the Fuhrer, changes in administration of daily workplace duties
and endless animosities against Jews keep the people in emotional disorder.
Thekla loses several students when their families pack and move to America. But
Bruno and the others defy logic and don the uniforms that give them unity.
Throughout the novel, Hegi
illustrates on backstory chapters that tell of earlier times, beginning in
1899. In these chapters, Hegi discusses Thekla’s background. Her beloved father
has married her mother, a girl pregnant with another's child. The boys resent
the fact that she travels with her mother to be a housekeeper for the wealthy
Jewish businessman, Herr Abramowitz, and his wife, Ilse. The family spoils her
with manners, clothing and education that her father cannot afford. Behind her
back, the rumors fly about how spoiled she has become. Later, she accepts
courtship from Emil, who is known for his revolutionary thinking. He tries to
enlighten her about their government, but she ignores his unconventional
statements, terrified of losing her job.
Analysis
Being a German writer, Hegi deploys
heavey use of German language throughout the book. Thi is personally fascinating
and bring a more realistic feel when reading a story over German culture.The
Character Thekla is interesting in that we want to admire her but not the
things that she does. She feels stiff at times, taking obvious measures to
avoid conflict. I did enjoy how Hegi used her character to illustrate pivotal
moments in history. Ultimately, Hegi tells a story where one society that has a
strong education system, cultural, and compassionate can slip into a reality that’s
fabricated by propaganda and controlled by fear. How one man can manipulate a nation into the dehumanization
of a perceived enemy and the justification of torture and murder.
A link to a summary and where to purchase the Children and Fire.
No comments:
Post a Comment