Language:
French
Year of publication:
2008
Titel der Quelle:
Revue d'Histoire de la Shoah
Angaben zur Quelle:
189 (2008) 559-587
Keywords:
Arendt, Hannah,
;
Holocaust (Jewish theology)
Abstract:
Discusses Arendt's "Eichmann in Jerusalem" in relation to her more profound writings and its style as a reflection of her view of herself as part of the German philosophical tradition. Characterizes her as intellectualizing and dogmatic, with a tendency to twist perceptions and assessments to match presuppositions based on previous writings. Lists the "ambivalent divisions" which haunt "Eichmann in Jerusalem": Arendt reproached the Jews for having allowed themselves to be exterminated, though well aware of the scope of Nazi criminality; she denounced Jewish collaboration, though conscient of the cruelty of totalitarian practices; and she was a harsh critic of Israel, despite her strong Zionist affinities. Argues that these ambivalencies resulted from her desire to take a philosphical attitude toward herself and behave like a German philospher, not an exiled German Jew with Zionist views. Attributes the misconceptions and provocations in "Eichmann in Jerusalem" to the difficulties inherent in the role that she had chosen.
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