Simon Wiesenthal The Sunflower

Holocaust- destruction or slaughter on a mass scale, especially cause by fire or nuclear war.(Google). Many are familiar with the Holocaust, brought on by Hitler and the he catastrophe that hurt families of millions. Years after, we learn of it as a historical trade guy, however before the holocaust students were taught other things. Things like being proud of their country; a patriot. Those born and raised in Germany were taught of their great ore WW1 as well as their downfall after the war. Proud citizens of Germany wanted to support their country any way possible: the young Germans were encouraged to join Hitler youth in order to put Germany back on top. A young man of Germany, known as Karl, did exactly that. Just like many German boys

Karl was encouraged to join the youth, run by the man who claimed he would make Germany successful again; Hitler. As Karl grew older, the world turned more cruel. Soon, he was asked to be apart of a "cleanse" of the world. Karl however, also with many others form the Hitler Youth, didn't realize exactly what he was getting himself into. Thousands of Jewish deaths later, Karl got exactly what was coming to him. Karl a 20 year old, dying S.S soldier was faced with the reality of this actions. It was then he reflected on the horror he inflicted on others. He lay on his death bed with nothing but sorrow and regret till death. However shortly before his death, his last wish was to share his story with a Jew and pray for this Jewish mans forgiveness. This Jewish prisoner's name was Simon. Simon has seen too many deaths, trade ties and barbarity to react to Karl's request. The S.S soldier, Karl would be left to mourn without for the rest of his very few days. Simon however is burdened with a decisions only he can work through: Should he have forgiven Karl.
If I were to out myself in Simons shoes, I would have forgiven Karl because as Simon described, Karl was genuine and remorseful.

In Simon Wiesenthal's "The Sunflower" he describes his life as well as how he was introduced to a man like Karl. Simone listened to Karl's story and was flagged with thoughts such as "What could this man still have to tell me? That he was not the only person who murdered Jews, that he was simply a murdered among murderers?" (Wiesenthal 50) Simon wondered why Karl a murderer, a Nazi, a German would have the audacity to tell him this story. The answer is because Karl is extremely sorry for his actions. "Believe me," said Carl, "I would be ready to suffer worse and longer pains if by that means I could bring back the dead." (50) This is. Perfect example of Karl's expression of remorse. Karl is aware that no matter what, his actions were wrong, however he is willing to do what he can to make them right with at least one Jew. Karl cannot ask for forgiveness from the dead, so he did the next best thing: He asked Simon for his forgiveness. As Karl explains his story of regret, he acknowledges that what he has done is terrible. He also states that he understands asking Simon for forgiveness is too much. After their encounter, Simon refutes that it was "a heavy burden" (55) Throughout the rest of Wiesenthal's life, he is constantly reminded of his confrontation and whether it would've been right to forgive the dying soldier. If Simon would've provided

forgiveness and peace for this man, he wouldn't have to think about it for the rest of his life.
Edward Flannery proposes, "Where would be the harm?" (137). This question is essential to the decision whether to forgive Karl or not. Flannery brings up a great point; if you were to forgive Karl, a dying man, what's the worst that could happen? You providing Karl with peace or relieving a man from his sorrow and regret? Or even relieving yourself from the burden of wondering what the "right" things would've been. Matthew Ricard also suggests that forgiveness could've been a more succor response. Ricard states, ""The only good thing about evil," goes Buddhist saying, "is that it can be purified." In Buddhism forgiveness does not mean absolution, an an opportunity for the inner transformation of both the victim and the perpetrator."(235). This acknowledges that if Simon were to forgive Karl, both himself and Karl would grow into better people.
Nechama Tec suggests "First as human beings we ought to anticipate the consequences of our actions and take personal responsibility for them.

Second, and more importantly, I have no right to forgive crimes committed against others."(260). Tec also states how Karl was only sorry because he was dying and took self pity. However, when is a better time to reflect on your life, your decisions, and your mistakes than when you're dying? Karl is young: young people make bad choices. Although Karl may have known the error of his ways, he may not have been able to predict the outcomes like Tec claims. As Karl reflects before death, he is aware of the awful consequences following his actions as a S.S soldier . Karl truly winder stands what he did was wrong, he is only trying to make things as close to right as

possible.
Overall, everyone has different opinions on whether forgiving Karl would or wouldn't have been the right decision. A lot of people pull in reasoning such as religion, however lets forget reliance for a second. What is forgiveness to you? Google says "forgive" is to"stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for en offense, flaw, or mistake." Though forgiveness to me is to forgive but not to forget. To me, forgiveness is understanding. Forgiveness varies from person to person, therefore changing each persons answer to whether or not to forgive Karl. If you're like me, you know forgiving Karl is the right thing to do because, Karl was brought into a hateful world with a harmful background, he is truly remorseful for his actions, and forgiving Karl would provide tremendous relief for Simon.