The image I chose for analysation was the poster of three flags and a man. The caption reads, "Hinter den Feindmachten: der Jude. This translates to "Behind Enemy Lines: the Jew". The image depicts a large, ugly man partially hidden behind the Union Jack, the U.S. Flag, and the Communist flag. All three are threats and enemies to the Nazi Party, hinting that the large man is also an enemy. He is wearing a gold chain with a yellow Star of David, labelling him as a Jew. He is dressed in mainly black, and has dark hair/eyebrows and a prominent nose. This suggests how the Germans at this time view the Jews; as large, ugly, non-Aryan enemies.
The only clues I could find as to who created this image and when was the name "Hamil" and the date, 1945. 1945 is the year the U.K., U.S., France, and the Soviet troops entered Germany. Adolf Hitler committed suicide in 1945 also. However, this image couldn't have been created after/during these events. This poster was most likely created much earlier in the year, at the peak of Hitler's influence over Germany and its citizen's stereotypical thinking.
This image is a poster, and I believe the intended audience is the general population of Germany at this time. The intent of this propaganda piece was to dehumanize the Jewish population in Germany. This message may have caused German citizens at this time to view the Jews as an enemy of Germany; and the cause of economy problems due to the war. The Communists, U.K. and U.S. are also represented in this poster by their flags. This implies the need for the Nazi Party to blame others for the crises of Germany at this time.
Misleading information is definitely used in this poster. A man with a Jewish star is ported as large, ugly, and evil-looking. He is dressed in all black, including the large hat on his head. His expression is unhappy and he glares out from his hiding position behind three enemy flags (of the Nazis). This image is showing that Jews are ugly creatures, with enemy plots against Germany and an inhuman appearance/personality. This is the dehumanizing step prior to genocide; causing people to believe the Jews aren't human to make their actions acceptable.
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERhitler.htm- This website was extremely helpful and has a wonderfully detailed account of Hitler's life and actions.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
What has The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas taught you /shown you about prejudice and bias?
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is told in the point of view of Bruno, a nine-year old son of a German Nazi Commandant. He's still young and oblivious to the cruelty his father is subjecting millions to. His view of Shmuel is not affected by prejudice and propaganda; he's only got his personality to judge. Once you've been exposed to prejudice, however, your view of people and the world is tainted.
The Auschwitz extermination camp was the camp Shmuel was at in the novel. It was used mainly for extermination in gas chambers, but many residents died of forced labor, starvation, and human experiments. At the end of the novel, Bruno and Shmuel, two nine-year old boys, are forced into a gas chamber and are killed. Children were killed out of prejudice for those who were different. Not only that, but they were forced to work on the little food and fear they were being fed. The children weren't the only ones; it was anybody thought to be different or causing Germany's then-crisis, or those who disagreed with Nazi rule.
Prejudice is a powerful thing; it can lead people to commit extreme acts with a mere push. Crises such as a war or depression oftentimes causes anger, frustration, and a need for someone to blame. This feeling can grow so great as to convince people that mass murder is for the best.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was set in the past, as the Holocaust took place during World War II, which ended in 1945. It is important for us to continue studying events like this, no matter how long ago they were. History has passed, but it happened, and events can repeat themselves. Caring about the past can help us make better decisions than our ancestors, and ensure a better future.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is told in the point of view of Bruno, a nine-year old son of a German Nazi Commandant. He's still young and oblivious to the cruelty his father is subjecting millions to. His view of Shmuel is not affected by prejudice and propaganda; he's only got his personality to judge. Once you've been exposed to prejudice, however, your view of people and the world is tainted.
The Auschwitz extermination camp was the camp Shmuel was at in the novel. It was used mainly for extermination in gas chambers, but many residents died of forced labor, starvation, and human experiments. At the end of the novel, Bruno and Shmuel, two nine-year old boys, are forced into a gas chamber and are killed. Children were killed out of prejudice for those who were different. Not only that, but they were forced to work on the little food and fear they were being fed. The children weren't the only ones; it was anybody thought to be different or causing Germany's then-crisis, or those who disagreed with Nazi rule.
Prejudice is a powerful thing; it can lead people to commit extreme acts with a mere push. Crises such as a war or depression oftentimes causes anger, frustration, and a need for someone to blame. This feeling can grow so great as to convince people that mass murder is for the best.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas was set in the past, as the Holocaust took place during World War II, which ended in 1945. It is important for us to continue studying events like this, no matter how long ago they were. History has passed, but it happened, and events can repeat themselves. Caring about the past can help us make better decisions than our ancestors, and ensure a better future.
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