In "The Shawl," the shawl is considered to be "magic." This is because it keeps the baby from crying and being seen, which saves her life. Although she had no food, the shawl gives her nourishment to magically keep her alive.
Ozick's story shows strengths and weaknesses of human beings. Through the character of Rosa, we see the selfless and caring qualities. She willingly gives up her food to keep Magda alive. On the other hand, Stella shows the cold-hearted and jealous side of human nature. She does not see Magda as an innocent baby, but rather as a piece of food that is going to waste. Starvation has brought out the worst in her and she will do anything for her own survival.
Similarly, "Ladies and Gentlemen, To the Gas Chamber" tells Borowski's own survival story. To save his own life, he must escort others to their deaths. With this idea of "escorting," the politeness of the title mocks the reality of the situation. The fact that the trains are thoroughly cleaned gives people the false impression that they are going to a better place.
This leads to the major themes of the story are death and survival. In aiding the death of others, Borowski and the workers facilitate their own survival. Their physical well-being also depends on the destruction of the Jews because they collect essential items from the prisoners. As Henri says, if the camp "runs out of people" to kill, he and his coworkers will starve to death. Making the connection between death and survival, he says, "All of us live on what they bring."
Ozick's story shows strengths and weaknesses of human beings. Through the character of Rosa, we see the selfless and caring qualities. She willingly gives up her food to keep Magda alive. On the other hand, Stella shows the cold-hearted and jealous side of human nature. She does not see Magda as an innocent baby, but rather as a piece of food that is going to waste. Starvation has brought out the worst in her and she will do anything for her own survival.
Similarly, "Ladies and Gentlemen, To the Gas Chamber" tells Borowski's own survival story. To save his own life, he must escort others to their deaths. With this idea of "escorting," the politeness of the title mocks the reality of the situation. The fact that the trains are thoroughly cleaned gives people the false impression that they are going to a better place.
This leads to the major themes of the story are death and survival. In aiding the death of others, Borowski and the workers facilitate their own survival. Their physical well-being also depends on the destruction of the Jews because they collect essential items from the prisoners. As Henri says, if the camp "runs out of people" to kill, he and his coworkers will starve to death. Making the connection between death and survival, he says, "All of us live on what they bring."
i thought these two stories were so sad. during this time everyone was concerned about their own survival, but you cant blame them in being selfish in that kind of way because their lives were on the line. it shows you that people will go to the extreme when they need to survive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the themes of "Ladies and Gentlemen, to the Gas Chamber" as death and survival but I also see themes of power and powerlessness. Power is in the Nazis and powerlessness is in their prisoners. The imbalance leads to devastating effects on the discriminated victims.
ReplyDeleteI also like your illustration of the selfish and selfless characters in "The Shawl." These two characters represent the two different reactions prisoners could have to the difficult life they lead; sacrifice and selflessness or bitterness and selfishness. It is interesting to wonder which way we might go if we were the ones in their situation.