Analysis Of The Dark Room By Rachel Seiffert

Evil by Association

The Holocaust is one of the largest and most complex genocides in human history. During this period, over six million Jewish men, women and children, in addition to other racial groups, were murdered by the Nazi Party led by Adolph Hitler. The War also cost the lives of thousands of German soldiers, and innocent civilians. Through the story of Helmut and his family, Seiffert showcases the trauma inflicted on Berliners, the realities of war, and the mindset of German citizens, specifically people with disabilities and children who lost their parents during the time of national decay. The Dark Room by Rachel Seiffert illustrates how the Nazi period negatively impacted the lives of ordinary Germans, particularly men who were
Seiffert explores this aspect through the character Helmut, a young man who had issues with the use of one side of his body. While Helmut’s parents realized in his early years that “Helmut cannot be cured by prosperity, by nourishment, or by discipline” (Seiffert.7) Helmut himself did not recognize his disability until he was secluded during gym class, “He knows he is fit, feels he has a strong heart and good lungs and swift legs to offer his nation. He also (now) knows he is imperfect.”(Seiffert.10) This divide also caused low self-esteem, you had all these men who felt useless, they wanted to serve their country,
We are ‘shown’ the gradual series of events through Helmut’s story. In the beginning people leaving is not really noticed by anyone other than Helmut as he sits watching people leave on the trains, even then Helmut “at the same time he feels, fears, Berlin is emptying.” (Seiffert.16) “Helmut is worried. He decides to keep a rough tally of arrivals and departures at the station. To monitor the comings and goings, keep a check on the slow drain of people out of Berlin,” (Seiffert.17) This causes his hobby to become an obsession as everyday he sits scared as he counts the trains. Other people begin to notice “… Reads aloud from the newspaper that over a million people have left.” (Seiffert.32) and also fear for what it means for their home. While this is happening broadcasters were also giving a message of victory which would have to be confusing as people who ‘were on the inside’ were being warned to leave as the bombings/ killings intensified. Helmut realizes that “The city behind him is destroyed and soon to be divided.” (Seiffert.47) As citizens who are unaware of the Nazi Parties happenings (murders of the Jewish peoples) and extent of the wars reach into Germany, debate if they must leave the only place they have ever called home, and what the end of the war will mean for Germany’s as well as their own