Schindler
As a heavy drinker, womanizer, and crook, Oskar Schindler does not fit the typical characteristics of a hero. Nevertheless, this deceiving Nazi member is seen as a savior to over eleven hundred Polish Jews. Before World War II, Schindler accomplished practically nothing in his life and little can be said about his actions afterward. Yet in between, what he did was astonishing. At a time of little hope and tremendous suffering in the lives of millions of Jews, one man, an alleged enemy, risked his life and the lives of over eleven hundred people for an unknown reason. "Don't worry, you are now with me" (Roberts, 10). These simple words echoed through Schindler's pot and pan factory, and the people all felt assured that they would be saved. Schindler was born April 28, 1908, in Zwittau, Austria-Hungary. His parents were both German and devoted Roman Catholics. His childhood was very peaceful and full of love; he was brought up without an attitude of hate. Schindler married Emilie Pelze at the age of twenty in 1928; neither knew that their marriage would last for over forty-five years. Nine times out of ten, Schindler usually got his way. His good looks, charm and easy-going manner were the key to Sc
He got into a play, and he couldn't get out of it" (Roberts, 93). Although the explanations for Schindler's actions are controversial, it is most likely that Schindler had a deeper motivation than just for selfish benefits, as Roberts points out. His factory hired Jews as slave labor and it was by accident that Schindler discovered that he could protect these people in his factory. Schindler remained free from any kind of racial or national prejudice and counted Jews as his friends. "I knew the people that worked for me. Schindler's main focus at first was on making money. Jack Roberts, the author of the book, Oskar Schindler, strongly supports that Schindler's actions came straight from his heart: "He was, in fact, the only German in the history of the war to save more than a thousand Jews. The end of World War II left Oskar Schindler almost penniless, having spent the majority of his wealth on saving as many lives as possible from Nazi authorities. Without Schindler's compassionate efforts many of these people, if not all of them, would have died. I agree with the author that Oskar Schindler acted through his heart. The money Schindler made from the factory went solely towards food, clothing and shelter for the Schindlerjuden. But whoever [Schindler] was and however he did it, who cares? Life is really what counts" (Roberts, 95). Throughout the years many skeptics wonder what provoked Schindler to risk his own life to save a few Jews. Overall, the actions of Oskar Schindler are proof that one person can stand up against bigotry, prejudice, and intolerance and, in doing so, make a difference (Roberts, 93).
Common topics in this essay:
Oskar Schindler,
Horowitz Schindler's,
Instead Schindler,
II Schindler,
Jews Roberts,
Schindler Jews,
Emilie Pelze,
Nazi Party,
Schindler Holocaust,
Holocaust Schindler's,
oskar schindler,
world war ii,
world war,
risked life,
saving lives,
war ii,
schindler's actions,
save own,
eleven hundred,
jewish woman,
polish jews,
|
Acceptance Essays
