Language:
German
Year of publication:
2005
Titel der Quelle:
Fabula; Zeitschrift für Erzählforschung
Angaben zur Quelle:
46,3-4 (2005) 241-256
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
;
Soap Manufacture
;
Legends History and criticism
;
Jewish legends History and criticism
;
Antisemitism History 1945-
Abstract:
A revised version of a lecture held at the 28th conference of the German Studies Association, Washington D.C., October 2004. Although refuted by all serious historians, the legend that the Nazis made soap from the fat of Jewish corpses still persists in many places. It was one of the allegations at the Nuremberg Trials. In the view of Holocaust deniers, the fact that this is not true proves the falsehood of all Holocaust historiography. However, Jews in various countries have given "Nazi soap" an honorable burial or exhibited it in Holocaust museums. Neander attempts to trace the origin of the legend, suggesting that perhaps it originated in Allied anti-German propaganda in World War I. It was widespread in ghettos, camps, and among the general public during the Holocaust and after, and is still used as a taunt against Jews. Perhaps some of its attraction for antisemites lies in the transformation of the "dirty" Jew into cleansing soap.
DOI:
10.1515/fabl.2005.46.3-4.241
URL:
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