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Albert Camus: People's Inability To Act And Schindler's List

Albert Camus: People's Inability to Act and Schindler's List

"I know that the great tragedies of history often fascinate men with approaching
horror. Paralyzed, they cannot make up their minds to do anything but wait. So
they wait, and one day the Gorgon devours them, But I should like to convince
you that the spell can be broken, that there is an illusion of impotence, that
strength of heart, intelligence and courage are enough to stop fate and
sometimes reverse it." Albert Camus.

Albert Camus believes that the greatest tragedies of history are so
horrific that people stand in awe, and consequently, nobody even attempts to do
anything in response of the tragedies. Many are under "an illusion of impotence"
, and eventually, Camus states, "The Gorgon devours them". Also, in order for
this "spell to be broken", people must have "strength of heart, intelligence
and courage." I believe that Albert Camus is correct, people are under a vale
of impotence when it comes to the tragedies of the world, and that people can
easily overcome this inability and reverse their fate, or let the "Gorgon"
devour them. Camus's beliefs can be proved through the use of examples from the
movie Schindler's List.
Oscar Schindler, the movie's main character, is, in the beginning of the
movie, not actually aware of the full extent of the killing of Jews and the
powerful anti-Semitic outlook of his comrades. His ties relating to the affairs
of the Nazi party and his loyalty to his country shield him from this knowledge.
Thus, it can be concluded that in the beginning of the movie Schindler does not
fully grasp the tragedy at hand, and consequently does nothing attempt to aid
the Jews. Shindler's realizations of the horrors of the holocaust begin in one
scene near the middle of the film. During this infamous turning point of the
movie, Schindler, on top of a barren hill, traces the path of a young and
helpless Jewish girl who wanders haphazardly through the streets of a...