I find it kind of ironic how the Germans expected the Jews to know what was waiting for them once they reached the internment camps. It's ironic for two reasons. One, how could the Germans expect the Jews to know what treatment they would be receiving once they reached Auschwitz if the Germans held the Jews in the ghetto and regulated their lives? How could the Jews receive the information? And two, it's ironic how in reality the Jews did know what was waiting for them in Auschwitz. They received multiple warnings from Moishe but then dismissed his warnings. So in fact the Jews did know of the torment but they chose not to believe Moishe, and that resulted in them "not knowing".
Erik, you mention that the Jews couldn't have know what lay ahead for them in Auschwitz because they were in the ghettos, but I think that that actually could have offered them some insight into what was going to happen. Their valuable possessions were taken, they were told when they had to be indoors, they had to board up parts of their homes, and I really doubt that after all of this they could have thought that things would get better after they were transported to Auschwitz. Sure they may not have known a lot, but I don't think they could have been totally oblivious as to what the camps were going to be like.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if perhaps rather than the Jews "not knowing" if it was more like they just could not believe that humans could do such things to other humans.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with Mrs. Schulz in this situation. Yes it's true that they could have been suspicious of something odd occurring when they were compelled to live in the ghettos and surrender their valuable, I agree with you on that aspect Marisa. But I also think that disbelief in the brutality and selflessness that could be afforded by humanity played a large role as well.
ReplyDeleteEven with Moishe's warning, putting myself in the Jews place, I can admit that I wouldn't have believed him. Why should I? Better question, how could I believe him? If I believe him, then I have to bring into question everything that I've ever believed in. My faith in God...my faith in humanity...everything. That's a hard reality to face. And once you face this reality, the next question, is what can you really do to stop it?
Do I think that the Jews could have been more receptive to warning signs? Yes. But can I understand the psychological conflict that they faced? Absolutely.
I agree with Chinyere, it was less painful to live in an illusion.
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