Hans Junior's views on the Nazi Party came as a surprise to me, as his father seems to share almost parallel beliefs. His political stance led me to question how he developed this strong loyalty to Hitler, from personal experiences or from the pressures of the Nazi Party? His patriotism made me wonder:
1. When does loyalty to one's country become more important than loyalty to one's family?
Secondly, Hans Senior's position in between applying for the Nazi Party and being allied with the Jews provokes such a strong reaction out of his son.
2. Why in times of war are the indecisive considered the enemy? I also wondered why Zusak would bring Hans Junior into the story at a time already filled with tension. Although Liesel is aware of the struggles of the war inside and outside her home, she is young and does not completely understand all of them. Information about communism and "them" is also kept from Liesel. Hans Junior reminds the reader of how intense the war is becoming and serves as a step back from Liesel's perspective.
Adding on to your third point, I think that Hans Junior's appearance not only serves as a reminder for the reader about the war, but also as a vehicle for Hans Senior to express his true feelings about the war. When Hans Junior arrives, he puts pressure on his father to choose a side and express his choice in a less subtle way than he has before, and the confrontation that results brings out some strong feelings in Hans Senior that the reader has not previously seen.
ReplyDeleteYour first question is one that has vexed many people down the ages. In a 16th century poem, Richard Lovelace writes from the PoV of a man about to ride off to war. He says to his wife, "I could not love thee half so much/ Loved I not honor more." But most families really struggle, whether the war is against Oliver Cromwell or Al Quaeda, with the idea that loving an idea is more powerful than loving family. And with the idea that the two could conflict.
ReplyDeleteTo add on to your third point, I think that Zusak brings Hans Junior to the story because he wants to show how so many people at that time were convinced by and followed Hitler. This shows how good of an orator and a persuader he was, and how so many people became so involved with him that they went as far as making their first priority to serve him. This was their main priority, and they were so brainwashed by Hitler that they stopped caring about their family.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your second question, I sort of disagreed. I think Hans Junior doesn't think Hans is the enemy, but he just might be so disturbed by the war to have someone as close to him as his father not be a member of a beneficial party at the time. Hans Junior might be caring a lot for his father and wants his father to join possibly because he would be safer as a member.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, my question is not solely focused on the conflict between Hans Junior and Senior, although it does pertain to it. Throughout the history of war in general, when one does not pick a side, loyalty to either side is questioned and there are often repercussions for indecisiveness.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, as I was reading I thought that Hans Junior was looking out for his father as well. However, when he left his family, my opinion changed. If Hans really had his father's best interests at heart, why would he leave so abruptly, knowing his actions would only upset his family? The abandonment implies a lot about his character, making me think that Hans Junior's motives were for his own benefit instead of genuine care for his father. Sure, it would have been nice for Hans Senior to be safe as a part of the Nazi Party, but to Hans Junior, what really mattered more, his own safety and status or the position of his family? Hans Junior's choice is made clear as he leaves his family behind. He did not want to be affiliated with anyone, even his father, if it meant being put in danger and under the suspicion of the Nazis.
A war always consists of opinions, alliances, and battles. Those elements are what make a war, a war. Clashing of beliefs, thoughts, hopes... One must consider that the indecisive are rarely the enemies in a war, but rather the key tool necessary to have one side overcome another. The ones with no strong convictions are the pawns in a deadly board game. Realize that during the Holocaust, many were convinced through malicious tactics that Nazis and their supporters were in fact superior to all others. An additional, undecided person persuaded into supporting the Nazis is as great a victory as a death of a Jew.
ReplyDelete