Survival

Survival has been notably characterized as man's first basic instinct. In the complexities of a society, moreover, the question arises regarding what an individual is willing to do and to compromise in order to survive. Nazi Germany is portrayed in this work as a dangerous place, not only for Jews, Catholics, and purportedly inferior races, but, as well, for the ordinary Aryan German who fears reprisals for speech or actions critical of the Third Reich. Gunther is just such an individual. Privately, he abhors the new regime, with its antisemitism, militarism, and philosophy of hate. Publicly, however, he must remain neutral and, in some instances, supportive. In the name of survival, he succumbs to pressure to return to the police department and, ultimately, to fight as a German soldier on the Russian front. To refuse would be suicide. Gunther is able to justify his actions, however, with the...