While reading the book and watching the film The Pianist, the same question resonated and became stronger in my mind as I continued diving into these works: what makes life worth living? What would motivate someone to survive in the face of adversity, hatred, and blatant disregard for the value of another human being’s life? After finishing both the book and film, I feel like while I do not have a definitive voice to say what the answer to this question is, these films have brought me closer to figuring it out.
Władysław Szpilman was a well-known Polish-Jewish pianist in Warsaw. His world as pianst for the Polish radio in Warsaw is shattered when the Germans invade Poland in September1939. From there, we follow Szpilman’s suspenseful and horrific journey for survival amidst the hell that the Germans inflict on Polish Jews. Szpilman witnesses several horrifying accounts of his fellow Jews being beaten to death and mercilessly shot. Countless accounts from Szpilman from the film and book resonate in my mind: a German soldier shooting a woman in the head just for asking where they were being taken, Szpliman himself being beaten by a German soldier for dropping bricks, the lineup of Jews being shot after the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising fails, Szpilman’s chance separation from his family as he is moments away from being taken to Treblinka for extermination. From there, Szpilman’s quest to survive also resonates in my mind; from the book and film I empathized with him as he moved from place to place, never certain about what would happen to him there. Just as he became comfortable with living in a certain hiding place, an attack would ensue or his hideout would be discovered, leading him to have to flee and be nomadic once again. Throughout these moments, the same question echoed in my mind: what makes life worth living amidst this hell on earth? It’s the more subtle and less gruesome moments of the book and film that help me reason out an answer.
Szpilman, throughout his narration, clung to hope and memories of times when he was in consolation as motivation for him to stay alive. Every time it seemed like Szpilman did not have a chance at survival, he was blessed with the help of good people who, in spite of the serious risks they took in helping him, did so anyway. At several points of the film, we see evidence that while the Holocaust was indeed hell on earth (a vast understatement), people still existed at this time who genuinely cared for the well-being of those persecuted. We saw that Szpilman never suffered alone, a testimony to human unity among suffering, and we witnessed empathy among human beings. In the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation, Szpilman held onto hope for dear life. I believe that his music also played a vital role in his striving to survive. We see evidence of the power that music can have on an individual when Szpilman plays for a German soldier named Hosenfeld towards the end of the film. This moment in the film, while brief, encapsulates the solidarity and unity among people that musicians play in life. When Hosenfeld asks Szpilman what he plans to do once the war is over, Szpilman unhesitatingly replies that he will be a pianist once again for Polish radio. His life as a musician, as a pianist who has the ability to unite people regardless of race or ethnicity, is perhaps his ultimate reason to want to survive.
I, too, ask the same questions: “what makes life worth living? What would motivate someone to survive in the face of adversity, hatred, and blatant disregard for the value of another human being’s life?” The possibility is sad, but very simple they thought they were greater than Jewish community. When someone thinks they are superior it is easy to get rid of them because they believe they are flawed. In the business world, people lives are based off of their careers. So firing someone is putting someone at risk of keeping up with their well being. It a simpler context it is easier to fire someone if they have done something wrong rather than if they did nothing at all. The Nazi people believed that they were a threat to the perfect race. It’s easier to kill when you have a reason. Most people who do something wrong make up a reason for why their action is acceptable. Hitler kind of gave the people a reason to make it seem right to the people.
ReplyDeleteSzpilman kind of did a good job of concealing any reason for anyone to not like him. He pretty much snuck under the radar. Didn’t give anyone reason to hate him, and he really didn’t give anyone any reason to think highly of him. How meaningful is life when it is in centered around inaction? It is my firm belief that a life without risk isn’t a life at all.
Overall I think you stated your points clearly and practically.
First I should say I really liked your post. While certain aspects of film versus literature were obvious you tackled a good question. I believe you are right with your statement, "Every time it seemed like Szpilman did not have a chance at survival, he was blessed with the help of good people who, in spite of the serious risks they took in helping him, did so anyway." To be honest, I thought it strangely odd that Szpilman was a passerby. Compared to other Holocaust novels and movies, Szpilman seemed to survive by chance. I actually thought this took away from the point of his story. After reading your post I disagree with my previous thought. Szpilman's story is not just about him wanting to survive, but about the other people who wanted Szpilman to survive! The non-Jewish people that attended to Szpilman did not have to help him, they were safe! However, the characters did risk their lives to see to it that Szpilman was safe and had food the best they could! This is extremely important! The help Szpilman receives gives hope for humanity. That people can care for one another despite their race, religion, etc. I almost feel silly for not recognizing this before.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love your point about music. Music obviously cannot discriminate and anyone is welcome to love music. This unbiased thing allows for anyone to take part in it. Thus, bringing all sorts of people together. The soldier and Szpilman both had a love for music despite everyone thinking they were so different and could possibly never get along. Music does have the ability to bring people together!