Analysis Of The Sunflower By Simon Wiesenthal

In the book The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal, he has asked a very important question to the readers, “You, who have just read this sad and tragic episode in my life...and ask yourself the crucial question, what would I have done?”(Wiesenthal98). Simon is asking the readers the question if we were in his shoes would we forgive Karl, a SS solider, for all of his heinous crimes. Karl had the choice to be a solider no one told him to sign up for it. Karl asked Simon to forgive him for the killings of the Jews, but Simon could not forgive him. My own view is I would not forgive Karl for what he had done because he had the choice to become a SS solider and knew what he was getting himself into, therefore should not be forgiven. It really is up to God to whether he should have the choice to forgive someone else sins. I
According to Jean Amery, novel suggests “Your dying SS man took part in the extermination, he knew very well what he was doing. He may come to terms with his God, if he believes in one, and may just as well die unconsoled” (Amery107). I agree, but would also add that Karl does not feel bad for any of the Jews that he killed. In addition, he can’t even come to terms with himself and admit that what he did was wrong. Karl never asked what Simon’s name even was because he doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Karl is only trying to save his soul.
He needs forgiveness from a person to know that he has been condoled from his sins so he makes it to Heaven and saves his soul. Karl wouldn’t be asking for forgiveness if he wasn’t on his death bed. He thinks