" I know that the great tragedies of history often fascinate men with approaching horror.
Paralyzed, they cannot make up their minds to do anything but wait. So they wait, and
one day the Gorgon devours them, But I should like to convince you that the spell can be
broken, that there is an illusion of impotence, that strength of heart, intelligence and
courage are enough to stop fate and sometimes reverse it." Albert Camus.
Albert Camus believes that the greatest tragedies of history are so horrific that people
stand in awe, and consequently, nobody even attempts to do anything in response of the
tragedies. Many are under "an illusion of impotence", and eventually, Camus states, "The
Gorgon devours them". Also, in order for this "spell to be broken", people must have
"strength of heart, intelligence and courage." I believe that Albert Camus is correct,
people are under a vale of impotence when it comes to the tragedies of the world, and
that people can easily overcome this inability and reverse their fate, or let the
"Gorgon" devour them. Camus's beliefs can be proved through the use of examples from the
movie Schindler's List.
Oscar Schindler, the movie's main character, is, in the beginning of the movie, not
actually aware of the full extent of the killing of Jews and the powerful anti-Semitic
outlook of his comrades. His ties relating to the affairs of the Nazi party and his
loyalty to his country shield him from this knowledge. Thus, it can be concluded that in
the beginning of the movie Schindler does not fully grasp the tragedy at hand, and
consequently does nothing attempt to aid the Jews. Shindler's realizations of the
horrors of the holocaust begin in one scene near the middle of the film. During this
infamous turning point of the movie, Schindler, on top of a barren hill, traces the path
of a young and helpless Jewish girl who wanders haphazardly through the streets of a
devastated camp. In a red trench-coat-coat, nowhere to go, desperately searching for her
two parents, the little girl finally wanders into an abandoned building where she is safe
from the chaotic world outside. Her safety is only temporary, for later she will be
hunted down and cold heartily murdered, forgotten to the world, destroyed by her own
people, asking in wonderment, why do I deserve such punishment?
This scene is the point at which Schindler becomes infuriated, and he asks himself why,
and most importantly, what he could do to stop the massacre. Thus, Schindler's change in
character is an example of Camus's idea that people can do much more than "wait" for each
tragedy to stop. People can help, and as Camus states, that merely "strength of heart,
intelligence and courage are enough to stop fate and sometimes reverse it." Schindler
portrays intelligence, courage and the will go forth and conquer.
Albert Camus has another idea. Camus believes that if one does wait and do nothing
about the horrors of history, "one day the Gorgon devours" you. Schindler's List is a
perfect example of how eventually people can be devoured. In Schindler's List, one
aspect of the film relates to the Gorgon idea. The Jews of Schindler's List. As Camus
interprets, when people wait they become devoured. This is the same with the Jews. The
Jews basically wait and are eventually devoured, or murdered, by the nazis and German
people. Of course, the Jews do act to try and free themselves, such as hiding from the
nazis and eating their valuables, but ultimately these actions failed. Through this
example, I believe that Camus is right in his beliefs.
I think that it is sad that Camus is correct in saying that people actually pay no
attention to tragedies such as the holocaust. Anyone that reads this quote and thinks of
the holocaust would most likely ask themselves whether or not they would recognize the
holocaust if they were alive during that time. I believe that it is hard to think in
these terms and that, generally, people deny the fact that they reject the horrific
tradegies of today. Even though, altogether, they do. Of course, ironically, lets just
"wait" and see what happens.
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