The Human Spirit and Adversity

What one learns from the Holocaust stories is that there is a tremendous strength within the human spirit that will rise up to meet even the most daunting of circumstances. In that sense, Bent is a typical Holocaust story demonstrating how good can come from evil, and how one can find humor and beauty anywhere. Even though Dachau was the most evil of places, Max and Horst maintained a sense of humor and gave each other hope through love. Despite the terror of their daily struggle for life, Horst clings his sexual identity, while Max strengthens his. For Max, this tragedy may have been the only force potent enough to get him to face the truth about himself and truly care about another person. In the end, both choose dignity in death over humiliation and falsehood.

Inherent in the concept of the human spirit...