Language:
German
Year of publication:
1997
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish Social Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
3,2 (1997) 42-76
Keywords:
Ka-tzetnik 135633,
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), in literature
;
Hebrew literature History and criticism
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
Abstract:
Discusses the writings of Ka-Tzetnik (Yehiel Dinur, b. 1917 as Yehiel Feiner), the Israeli author of fictional works on the Holocaust which present in detailed and graphic ("thick") description the actions of Holocaust perpetrators. Suggests that Ka-Tzetnik's works appeal to the fascination of young Israeli readers with sex and sadism. Argues that "thick description" of the Holocaust does not contribute to a better understanding of it. Though both Ka-Tzetnik and Daniel Goldhagen (in "Hitler's Willing Executioners") employed "thick description", they reached radically different conclusions. Ka-Tzetnik concluded that the whole modern world is Auschwitz, and that the Jews or anyone else could have done what the Germans did. Goldhagen concluded that it was particularly characteristic of the Germans to have supported the campaign to annihilate the Jews. Claims that graphic descriptions of how Germans killed Jewish children provide no clue as to the feelings or thoughts of the perpetrators while they were doing the killing.
Note:
In Hebrew: "Alpayim" 17 (1999). In German: "Sachor" (Essen) 10 (2000).
URL:
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