Themes
The Holocaust took place during ambiguous times. Throughout these times, people living in Germany and across Europe were unaware of the destruction that human nature could cause. As a result of this, many horrific actions were taken that have left an enormous impact on the future. There are many big ideas and different themes that have emerged from the Holocaust. Some of the most signifigant ones are listed here. Let them serve as a guideline for the events during the Holocaust.
Courage and Compassion- The Holocaust Heroes risked their lived to help the Jews in need of help. The actions they took required courage, and were driven by their compassion for those less fortunate.
Bystanders- Not everybody supported the Nazi regime and their ideals. However, many were too scared to stand out against the majority of the country that supported Hitler. These people were bystanders. The prevention of genocide is a very contraversial topic. If these bystanders stood out against Hitler, would the Holocaust have happened? Nobody will know. But, these bystanders lacked any kind of humanity by refusing to help the innocent.
Defiance- This can also be connected to the "Courage and Compassion" theme. A small minority of people spoke out against the anti-Semitism that was backed by the government. These people have defied against the norms of the Aryan society at the time and, in turn, have saved hundreds of thousands of innocent lives.
Justice- All those high up in the Nazi regime were put on trial after the war was over. These Nuremberg Trials were fair: all those accused of war crimes were given a lawyer and were tried by the due process of law. Although the majority of these people were guilty of completely inhumane crimes and probably did not deserve such fairness, justice was served.
Closure and Forgiveness: Should Jews forgive Nazi leaders? The answers to this vary. Confusion took place throughout Europe at the end of the Holocaust. Many who were abused in forced-labor camps or were survivors of death camps themselves were not given any closure at all of what had happened. However, some, like Helen from Parallel Journeys, have a more generous approach towards the Hitler Youth. "They could not see that to condemn all Germans reduced them to the same level as the Nazis, who hated every Jew, every gypsy, every Jehovah's Witness. How long will we continue to hate, I wanted to ask them-into infinity?"
Perstistance- The persistance of the Nazis to destroy the Jews, and the persistance of the Jews to survive and gain freedom.
Destruction- The destruction caused by the Nazis, in terms of physical and also racial/mental. Along with cities being destroyed, so were families. The Jewish race, in part, was destroyed because of the mass genocide that occurred. German pride was destroyed after the war as a result of the embarrasment they felt by their actions.
Barbarism- The inhumane acts implemented on the Jews by the Nazis in order to acheive the "Final Solution"
Blame and Scapegoats- The reasons for the mass anti-Semitism, including placing blame on the innocent (the Jews). Also, why the Aryans were so motivated to rid Germans of the Jews.
Desperation- The hopelessness of the situation as a Jew during the Holocaust. Jews were desperate and needed help from outsiders (non-Jews).
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