Language:
French
Year of publication:
2003
Titel der Quelle:
Jewish Social Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
9,3 (2003) 139-169
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), in literature
Abstract:
Postwar Jewish writers created an image of Jewish ghosts - ghosts that haunt their murderers and sometimes their descendants. Discusses four literary works written from a Jewish perspective on the possibility or impossibility of German reconciliation with the past, and explores attempts by young Germans to effect such reconciliation. The works are Romain Gary's "The Dance of Genghis Cohn, " Edgar Hilsenrath's "The Nazi and the Barber, " Rebecca Goldstein's "The Late-Summer Passion of a Woman of Mind, " and Joseph Skibell's "A Blessing on the Moon." Whether Jewish ghosts haunt their former murderers or not, they do continue to haunt postwar generations of Germans. This is manifested in a desire to remember Jewish victims, a growing interest in Jewish history and culture, and even in conversion to Judaism in reunified Germany. The crucial question is whether Jewish ghosts can help Germans become better, more tolerant, and less murderous.
Note:
In French: "Les Cahiers du Judaïsme" 17 (2004-2005).
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