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9 years ago
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Guilt
Guilt is another recurring theme in the novel. Hans Hubermann's life was spared in France during World War 1 and Erik Vanderburg's life was taken. Explain why Hans feels guilty about Erik's death. Guilt is a powerful emotion that may cause a person to become unhappy and despondent. Discuss how Hans channels his guilt into helping others. Explain Max Vandenburg's thougt, "Living was living. The price was guilt and shame." . Why does he feel guilt and shame?
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3 comments:
In WWI Hans felt quilty because Erik died and he didn't...but he kept his accordian and later took in Erik's son, Max, a Jew, into his home at great danger to him and his family.
Max left his family to live and then felt guilty because they had sent him away and he feels he shouldn't have gone. Later, with the Huberman's he felt bad that he was putting their family in harm's way but was so grateful for the chance to still be alive.
He felt guilty because Erik saved his life. His dear friend was killed and then he found out that he had a son.
I think all survivors of anything deal with this. You hear about it all the time- survivors guilt.
It is unfortunate because you would rather that they feel the blessing that was given to them to survive without having to be weighed down by the guilt... but I think it is very natural for one to feel that way.
It is so awful that Max had to feel guilt for saving himself while so many others did not have someone like the Huberman's to take them in. I understand survivor's guilt. I feel it all the time. Even just recently when the storm trashed my neighbors yards and totalled one house on my block I felt horrible sitting there with no damage. Of course it is not my fault, but it is human to feel guilt. However, with Max it is just sick that anyone was ever treated in such a way that they had to hide or die. It was truly a no win situation and a disgusting event in human history.
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