Mahesh - Week 10: Moral Dislocation
Mahesh - Week 10: Moral Dislocation
Literature and works of art are often associated with a visual interpretation of abstract ideas in the application of the real world. One such work is Maus by Art Spiegelman, which is a true rendition of the experiences that the author’s father underwent in the course of the Holocaust. The side conversations that the author has with his father develop the events of the Holocaust as a narrative. The book is a comprehensive outlook into the implications of morality in times of power imbalance. Characters in this novel have been known to use powerful language to exemplify their moral beliefs that were influenced by the power struggles of the time. One such character was Tosha, who had to make a difficult decision and ultimately chose the most drastic of decisions: “Always Tosha carried around her neck some poison…she killed not only herself, but also the 3 children” (Spiegelman 111; Panel 7). Spiegelman presents the diminishing of moral values in the light of a power imbalance that may cause individuals to feel a growing sense of dread and helplessness.
Power imbalance on a large societal scale can additionally cause moral sensitivity and a lack of belonging within the inveterate beginnings of American society. Many Holocaust victims experienced this syndrome in which they feel an apparently inescapable sense of others’ deaths on a large scale. The stem of the Holocaust itself is a man who bid for power, realizing the strength and widespread appeals of his language. Adolf Hitler used language as a tool to shape the minds of the majority of Germans to believe in a “greater Germany,” and that moral values did not matter in light of this “vital goal.” Hitler is a timeless example of the power that lies behind language in gathering support for a cause, regardless of the moral implications that may influence the cause. Hitler’s rise to power with the usage of a vivid and convincing tone is chronicled here: www.businessinsider.com/why-hitler-was-such-a-successful-orator-2015-5
Source:
Range, Peter Ross. time.com, 31 August 2020, www.time.com/5884522/hitler-ascent-lesson/. Accessed 21 December 2023.
Hi Mahesh, I loved your commentary captures on how "Maus" interplays between power, morality and language. Saying how Tosha provided a clear lens to understand the impact and power imbalances during the Holocaust. Adding onto Hitler's use of language as a manipulative tool to shape the publics perception adds a layer to historical depth. We can use Hitler's speechs to see how he manipulated a small population. It can be shown than he gained control over a bigger population showing it was easier to brainwash others. Hitler's language is used to broaden the perspectives, illustrating the societal consequence. Your writing also makes me wonder if there are parallels between the past and present.
ReplyDeleteHi Mahesh, your commentary captures how Spiegelman's "Maus" captures the complexities in which morality faces power imbalances. Through the depictive imagery, the novel serves as a reminder of the enduring consequences of unchecked authority and the importance of moral integrity. It shows the powerful testaments to the resistance of human spirit in the darkest of times. Hitler's use of language as a weapon is clearly represented in "Maus," where his rhetoric serves as a catalyst for the spread of Nazi ideology. Hitler used persuasive speeches and propaganda to create fear, hatred, and unquestioning obedience among the German population. His tone persuaded many people to believe in his vision of a "greater Germany," regardless of the moral ramifications. "Maus" serves as a disturbing reminder of the devastating power of words when wielded by individuals in positions of authority, emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant against rhetorical manipulation for malevolent purposes.
ReplyDeleteHey Mahesh,
ReplyDeleteI love your discussion on the power imbalance during the Holocaust especially because it's so relevant to what's happening in the world today. Hitler used his power to make people believe that it was their religious imperative to rid the world of people he considered "impure". Everyone who joined his cause weren't born that way, but they were conditioned to believe that it was the right way. There's no rights or wrongs during a war, but the unbalanced power dynamic turned a fight for dominance into a mass genocide similar to Palestine and Israel. It's not a matter of two countries fighting during the Holocaust, but the world fighting against itself.