Greatness :: essays research papers

When a Jewish girl living in Krakow under false papers visits Schindler, she asks that he hire her parents to work in his factory. He is infuriated with the girl and she runs from him, fearing her life and liberty. Schindler expresses his rage at Stern, whom he accuses of harboring Jews in the "haven" of a factory. Schindler is not angry at the idea of his factory as a haven, but the fact that such activities are illegal. However, as the atrocities of the Nazis become more apparent, Schindler begins to see the great opportunity he is presented with. He hires the girl's parents. Although there is no dialogue to give the viewer any direct clues, the scene in which Schindler observes the liquidation of the ghetto at Krakow hints at the change that begins to overtake him. He appears to be gripped by the stark realization of what the Nazi's are actually doing. He watches from a hill overlooking the ghetto, as Jews are massacred and children are oblivious to what is happening. The horror of it all overtakes his mistress, and she begs him to leave the tragic scene. Later, the change that has overtaken Schindler becomes more apparent. In a conversation with Hauptsturmfuhrer Amon Goeth, Schindler expresses his feelings about the relationship between that Nazis and the Jews. Goeth states that the reason the Jews fear the Nazi's is because they have the power to kill. Schindler believes otherwise. He says that the power to kill is a punishment to be used in exercising justice, but the real power lies in exercising mercy. According to Schindler, to have every justification for killing someone and letting him or her go demonstrates real power. This idea leaves an impression on Goeth, who begins to practice "mercy" the next day in his dealings in the concentration camp. Unfortunately, practicing mercy does not leave Goeth with the same fulfillment as murder, and he reverts to his old habits. This demonstrates a fundamental difference in the way Goeth and Schindler see the Jews. Goeth views them in typical Nazi fashion. His deep-rooted resentments, hatred, and perhaps even sadism, do not allow him to treat the Jews in a humane fashion. He sees them as a scourge to be eliminated, and at the very least a means to an end. He finds joy in shooting innocent Jews from his hilltop villa, and from exploiting them in cruel and unusual ways. He even finds pleasure in beating his maid.