Essay, Research Paper: Camus

Albert Camus: People's Inability to Act and Schindler's List"I know that the great tragedies of history often fascinate men with approachinghorror. Paralyzed, they cannot make up their minds to do anything but wait. Sothey wait, and one day the Gorgon devours them, But I should like to convinceyou 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 andsometimes reverse it." Albert Camus. Albert Camus believes that the greatest tragedies of history are sohorrific that people stand in awe, and consequently, nobody even attempts to doanything in response of the tragedies. Many are under “an illusion of impotence”, and eventually, Camus states, “The Gorgon devours them”. Also, in order forthis “spell to be broken”, people must have “strength of heart, intelligenceand courage.” I believe that Albert Camus is correct, people are under a valeof impotence when it comes to the tragedies of the world, and that people caneasily 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 themovie Schindler's List. Oscar Schindler, the movie's main character, is, in the beginning of themovie, not actually aware of the full extent of the killing of Jews and thepowerful anti-Semitic outlook of his comrades. His ties relating to the affairsof 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 notfully grasp the tragedy at hand, and consequently does nothing attempt to aidthe Jews. Shindler's realizations of the horrors of the holocaust begin in onescene near the middle of the film. During this infamous turning point of themovie, Schindler, on top of a barren hill, traces the path of a young andhelpless Jewish girl who wanders haphazardly through the streets of a devastatedcamp. In a red trench-coat-coat, nowhere to go, desperately searching for hertwo parents, the little girl finally wanders into an abandoned building whereshe is safe from the chaotic world outside. Her safety is only temporary, forlater 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 suchpunishment? This scene is the point at which Schindler becomes infuriated, and heasks 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 peoplecan do much more than “wait” for each tragedy to stop. People can help, and asCamus states, that merely “strength of heart, intelligence and courage areenough 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 anddo 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 eventuallydevoured, or murdered, by the nazis and German people. Of course, the Jews doact to try and free themselves, such as hiding from the nazis and eating theirvaluables, but ultimately these actions failed. Through this example, I believethat Camus is right in his beliefs. I think that it is sad that Camus is correct in saying that peopleactually pay no attention to tragedies such as the holocaust. Anyone that readsthis quote and thinks of the holocaust would most likely ask themselves whetheror 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, peopledeny the fact that they reject the horrific tradegies of today. Even though,altogether, they do. Of course, ironically, lets just “wait” and see whathappens.


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