Language:
Polish
Year of publication:
2000
Titel der Quelle:
Przegląd Socjologiczny
Angaben zur Quelle:
49,2 (2000) 167-180
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
Abstract:
Compares ways of coping with World War II and Holocaust trauma amongst Poles and Jews. The martyrological Polish vision of their experience involved "forgetting" about the "szmalcownicy" (informers) and about those who stole Jewish goods and property. In their view, the Poles behaved heroically and helped the Jews as much as they could. Organizing official "anniversaries" of the tragedies helped them to make sense of their suffering. However, the images of the past rarely left anybody without feelings of guilt. Argues that the trauma of witnessing the Holocaust is present in the Poles' conscience. The Jewish martyrological vision stressed "fighting with a gun in hand"; Jewish ceremonies stressed uprisings and revolts in the ghettos. Civil resistance and the heroism of those who had no chance to fight was nearly forgotten. This vision was politically manipulated, just as the Polish vision was. Concludes that martyrological visions which are far from the truth do not heal the trauma.
Note:
Appeared also in "Przeciw antysemityzmowi 1936-2009" III (2010) 240-256.
,
With an English summary.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
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