Questions Raised about the Holocaust and Nazi Germany in Schindler's Gift

Questions Raised about the Holocaust and Nazi Germany in Schindler's Gift

Stephen Speilberg's Academy Award winning film 'Schindler's List' raised many questions about the Holocaust and Nazi Germany. The film's focus centered on one specific Jewish community, and the impact one man, Oskar Schindler, had upon it. Schindler's involvement with the Jews started with the birth of a business venture. An enterprising Nazi, Schindler saw an opportunity. In exchange for money to start his business, (a ceramics factory), he could offer capable Jews an escape from the deathly work camps. Throughout the course of the war however, Schindler's motives and motivation both change; once a greedy, adulterous, socialite Nazi, Schindler transforms into a kind, caring, monogamous humanitarian.

The Oskar Schindler audiences first meet is far from a lovable character. Socializing within Nazi political circles, Schindler appears to be no more than a greedy entrepreneur hoping to capitalize on the cruel necessities of war. The extermination of the Jews becomes a window of opportunity, supplying a work force armed with nothing but their life's savings, and heirlooms with no more value than the materials they were made from. Hence, Schindler launches his new factory with the both the finances and labor of his Jews. With the help of his Nazi connections, and his intelligent plant manager, (a Jew), Schindler watches as his fortune begins to grow.

Schindler begins to change as the tragedy and cruelty of war sets in. He develops a relationship with his workers; they are "his Jews." He sees the health and welfare of the workers as a direct connection to the prosperity of his business. The bond he shares with his workers continues to grow, and soon his reputation for kindness begins to spread. Schindler himself realizes his change when a young girl arrives at the factory, begging him to rescue her parents from the next Selection. Although Schindler shouts and chases her away, he uses his connections combined with bribery to save the couple's life. Bribery becomes common practice to Schindler; while his Jewish plant manager is living at a concentration camp, he constantly bribes officials to send certain prisoners to work at the factory. Always under the premise that they are necessary to ensure the productivity of his plant, it becomes increasingly obvious that in actuality the necessity is Schindler's growing conscious.

As the war continues on, so do Schindler's good deeds.