Setting Sun
Destiny Lord
Mr.Ovalles1/16/2014
English
In history, there have been various wars that have affected the lives of people around the world. The Setting Sun by Ousamu Dazai and The Reader by Bernhard Schlink are both examples of how World War II affected people. In The Setting Sun the author displays how much a country’s tradition changes after imperialism which is why some people might say The Setting Sun best represents the effects World War II had on culture. However, The Reader best describes the effects the war had on cultures because the author compares the parent generation of Germany during World War II to the generation after which allows readers to have a better understanding of changes in different time periods.
In The Reader, Bernhard Schlink shows how the parent generation and the new generation of Germany have different perspectives on life. The parent generation was raised during a time when being a Nazi member was normal. The author uses Hanna’s trail as an example. While Hanna was on trial she asked the judge “I…I mean… so what would you have done?” and the judge later answers “There are matters one simply can’t get drawn into, that one must distance oneself from, if the price is not life and limb”(Schlink, 111-112). In this quote Hanna asked the judge what he would have done in her circumstance but the judge deflects the question and has no remorse. The purpose of this quote is to prove that parent generation had a different way of living. Although the judge avoided Hanna’s question, he had an understanding of her actions which is why he was not sure how to give a direct answer. Bernhard Schlink uses questioning as a literary element. Hanna asks the question in order to put the readers in her position. Due to Hanna’s circumstances she had to make certain choices. The author wants readers to have a different perspective of Hanna’s decisions because of her circumstances. The second generations of Germany have different views because
Mr.Ovalles1/16/2014
English
In history, there have been various wars that have affected the lives of people around the world. The Setting Sun by Ousamu Dazai and The Reader by Bernhard Schlink are both examples of how World War II affected people. In The Setting Sun the author displays how much a country’s tradition changes after imperialism which is why some people might say The Setting Sun best represents the effects World War II had on culture. However, The Reader best describes the effects the war had on cultures because the author compares the parent generation of Germany during World War II to the generation after which allows readers to have a better understanding of changes in different time periods.
In The Reader, Bernhard Schlink shows how the parent generation and the new generation of Germany have different perspectives on life. The parent generation was raised during a time when being a Nazi member was normal. The author uses Hanna’s trail as an example. While Hanna was on trial she asked the judge “I…I mean… so what would you have done?” and the judge later answers “There are matters one simply can’t get drawn into, that one must distance oneself from, if the price is not life and limb”(Schlink, 111-112). In this quote Hanna asked the judge what he would have done in her circumstance but the judge deflects the question and has no remorse. The purpose of this quote is to prove that parent generation had a different way of living. Although the judge avoided Hanna’s question, he had an understanding of her actions which is why he was not sure how to give a direct answer. Bernhard Schlink uses questioning as a literary element. Hanna asks the question in order to put the readers in her position. Due to Hanna’s circumstances she had to make certain choices. The author wants readers to have a different perspective of Hanna’s decisions because of her circumstances. The second generations of Germany have different views because