Schindler’s List
Thomas Keneally
"Schindler’s List," originally published as "Schindler’s Ark" in 1982 by Thomas Keneally, is a historical novel that tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jews during the Holocaust.
The novel blends fact with fiction to create a powerful narrative about the complexities of human morality, the capacity for both good and evil, and the horrors of the Holocaust. Keneally’s work is a poignant exploration of the impact one person can have in the face of overwhelming atrocity, and it has become one of the most significant literary works about the Holocaust.
Summary of the Novel
The novel begins with Oskar Schindler, a member of the Nazi Party and a businessman, arriving in Kraków, Poland, in search of opportunities during World War II. Schindler, initially motivated by profit, acquires a factory that produces enamelware and later ammunition. He employs Jewish workers, believing them to be cheaper labor. However, as Schindler witnesses the brutality of the Nazis, particularly the actions of Amon Goeth, the commandant of the Płaszów concentration camp, his motivations begin to change.
Schindler, with the help of his Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern, starts to actively protect his Jewish workers, bribing Nazi officials and using his factory as a haven. He compiles a list of "essential" Jewish workers—Schindler’s List—who are spared from the death camps. By the end of the war, Schindler has spent his entire fortune saving his workers, and he is honored by them as a hero. The novel concludes with the survivors expressing their gratitude, and Schindler’s post-war life is marked by poverty and obscurity. The epilogue reflects on the lasting impact of Schindler’s actions and the memory of those he saved.
Key Themes & Motifs
The Nature of Good and Evil: The novel explores the duality of human nature, as represented by Schindler and Goeth. Schindler, who begins as a self-serving businessman, gradually evolves into a savior of Jews, while Goeth embodies the monstrous cruelty of the Nazi regime. The novel suggests that the capacity for both good and evil exists within everyone, and it is the choices individuals make that define their morality.
The Power of One Person: "Schindler’s List" emphasizes the profound impact one individual can have in the face of overwhelming evil. Schindler’s actions, though initially motivated by self-interest, ultimately save over a thousand lives. The novel highlights the importance of personal responsibility and the difference that one person’s courage and compassion can make, even in the darkest of times.
Survival and Sacrifice: The novel portrays the daily struggle for survival faced by the Jews under Nazi rule. Schindler’s workers endure unimaginable horrors, yet they also experience moments of solidarity and hope. Schindler’s sacrifice of his wealth and safety to protect his workers underscores the theme of selflessness and the moral imperative to act against injustice.
Analysis of Main Characters
Oskar Schindler: Schindler is the novel’s central figure, a complex character who undergoes significant moral transformation. Initially driven by profit, Schindler becomes increasingly aware of the atrocities committed by the Nazis and chooses to risk his life and fortune to save his Jewish workers. His character arc reflects the novel’s themes of redemption and the capacity for change. Schindler’s actions are not presented as those of a flawless hero but as those of a flawed man who rises to extraordinary moral heights in response to the horrors around him.
Amon Goeth: Amon Goeth, the commandant of the Płaszów concentration camp, serves as the novel’s antagonist and a representation of the banality of evil. Goeth’s casual cruelty and his enjoyment of violence illustrate the depths of human depravity. His character contrasts sharply with Schindler, highlighting the extremes of human behavior during the Holocaust. Goeth’s sadism and his lack of remorse make him one of the most terrifying figures in the novel.
Itzhak Stern: Itzhak Stern, Schindler’s Jewish accountant, plays a crucial role in the narrative as both a moral compass and a practical partner in Schindler’s efforts to save Jews. Stern’s character embodies resilience and quiet determination, and his influence on Schindler is significant. Through Stern, the novel explores the importance of solidarity and the ways in which individuals can support and inspire one another in times of crisis.
Setting & Social Context
"Schindler’s List" is set primarily in Kraków, Poland, and the Płaszów concentration camp during World War II. The novel’s setting is essential to understanding the historical context of the Holocaust, the Nazi occupation of Poland, and the systematic extermination of Jews. Keneally meticulously details the brutal conditions of the ghettos and camps, the operations of Schindler’s factory, and the broader horrors of the Holocaust.
The novel’s historical accuracy and its use of real-life events and figures lend it a sense of immediacy and authenticity, making it a powerful testament to the atrocities committed during the war and the acts of bravery that emerged in response.
Writing Style & Narrative Techniques
Thomas Keneally’s writing style in "Schindler’s List" is characterized by its clear, direct prose and its commitment to historical accuracy. The novel blends narrative fiction with documentary-style detail, creating a powerful and immersive reading experience. Keneally’s use of third-person omniscient narration allows him to explore the thoughts and motivations of multiple characters, providing a comprehensive view of the events and the moral complexities involved.
The novel’s structure, which alternates between the perspectives of Schindler, Goeth, and other key figures, creates a rich and multifaceted narrative. Keneally’s focus on character development and moral dilemmas adds depth to the historical events, making the novel not just a recounting of history but a profound exploration of human nature.
Important Quotes & Analysis
"Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.": This quote, rooted in the Talmudic teaching, encapsulates the novel’s central message about the value of human life and the moral responsibility to act against injustice. It reflects the significance of Schindler’s actions and the impact of individual efforts to save others, even in the face of overwhelming evil.
"The list is an absolute good. The list is life.": This quote emphasizes the life-saving power of Schindler’s List, which represents hope and survival for the Jews who were included on it. The list symbolizes the difference between life and death in the context of the Holocaust, and it underscores the novel’s theme of the power of one person to effect change.
"War brings out the basest instincts in human beings. But Schindler went the other way; he brought out the noblest.": This quote reflects the novel’s exploration of the duality of human nature and the capacity for both good and evil. It highlights Schindler’s moral transformation and the choices that define a person’s character in times of crisis.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
"Schindler’s List" is a profoundly moving and historically significant novel that captures the horrors of the Holocaust while also celebrating the potential for human goodness and moral courage. Through the story of Oskar Schindler, Thomas Keneally provides a powerful narrative about the impact of individual actions and the importance of standing up against injustice.
The novel’s blend of historical fact and literary fiction creates a compelling and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers. "Schindler’s List" serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring importance of remembering and honoring the victims of the Holocaust.