Should Otto Be Fine Outside Their Household?
offer, the Solomons believe that Otto has the virtue of philia which leads them to believe that Otto will be fine if he leaves their house. It is the support of the Solomons that persuades Otto to take his biological parents up on their offer. Their belief is that Otto will be able to “help” them despite Otto not living under their house. Benjamin and his father tell Otto “You can help us all by being on the inside”(112). By Balson including this scene into the novel he is setting up the two boys to “respond” to the atmosphere within the novel as they will encounter different worldviews that exist during the Holocaust. While all the Solomons support Otto’s decision since it is for his safety, Otto is not sure. Another reason why the Solomons believe that Otto will be fine outside their household is because they know there are no limitations on love. Frankl believes that “Love goes very far beyond the physical person of the beloved. It finds its deepest meaning in his spiritual being, his inner self. Whether or not he is actually present, whether or not he is still alive at all, ceases somehow to be of importance”(Frankl 58). Based on this, Otto does not have to be “present” in order to “loved”. Because of the “man’s search for meaning” and the virtue of philia Otto should be able to continue to live a good life and help support them in their time of
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need. Benjamin’s father Abraham even tells Otto he will be able to “help” them. Because Otto has been greatly influenced by the Solomons and gained the virtue of philia though his upbringing they believe he will make virtuous decisions. Following the time that Otto leaves the Solomons, he still feels a connection with the family as he continues to have the virtue of philia. Otto offers the Solomons “help” as he provides them with extra rations of food. Otto also provides insight on the Gestapo taking away valuables from the Jews. Ledbetter term “philia” continues to apply here. As Otto attempts to help his friends; Otto tells Benjamin of a plan to hide their valuables: “Tell Uncle Abraham to gather some of your most precious things, like jewelry and gold, like Aunt Leah's diamond bracelet, and give them to me. I'll take them out to Grandpa Yaakov's and hide them. Select only the very most valuable, because if you don't turn in enough property at the Town hall, they'll know you're cheating and they'll tear your place apart” (114).
This information Otto provides to Benjamin shows Ledbetter’s “philia” it also enforces William James, a therapeutic psychologist’s theology that Ledbetter mentions in which “honesty, trust, and the support of one human creature for another” comes into play (Ledbetter 17).
The Solomons do as they are told. Otto suggests that Hannah’s family “hides” their valuables. Both families attempt to salvage their valuables away from the Germans. Otto then “hides” the valuables in a remote location on Grandpa Yaakov’s barn in the country. In this section of the book both men exhibit the virtue of philia and trust amongst each
other. Shortly after that, the virtue of philia seems to fade for Otto. As time goes on as the Nazis start to have an influence Otto. Otto no longer has the “support” from the Solomons to “fuel” his dead battery. As noted earlier Otto is easy to influence as the Solomons had a positive influence on him. It is at this time point in the novel that Balson shows the audience that Otto is slowly changing as his peers outside of the Solomon household influence him. As Otto has limited contact with the Solomons he appears to be reverting back to survival mode. Benjamin runs into Otto’s girlfriend, a mutual friend named Elzbieta, Benjamin asks how things are going between the couple. Elzbieta tells Benjamin Otto is “a little full of himself” lately. This comment suggests that Otto is changed, from hanging out with the Germans. This ties back into the metaphor mentioned earlier that Otto is like a “dead battery” and cannot hold a charge. Otto is not able to sustain him or the virtue of philia and is greatly influenced by others around him. Another example of this change is when Hannah’s mom is caught hiding valuable and is taken away by the Gestapo. Benjamin’s virtue of philia is consistent as he faces the situation with courage and strives to help Hannah and locate her mother, but Otto’s is not the same. Ledbetter description of philia applies perfectly to Benjamin that is “belief in friends and family, the possibility of the good life through community and human relationship” as he sets out to help Hannah find her mother (7). Benjamin is able to track down the only man he believes will be able to help him, Otto. In a discussion between the two men the audience can starts to differentiate the difference or the change in virtues between the two men. Otto now has adopted the virtue of self-preservation, only looking out for him-self. This can be seen as Benjamin tells Otto they need to “rescue” Hannah’s mother. Otto on the other hand “shakes his head” and states there is nothing they can do to help her. Otto refused to “help” Benjamin. Benjamin questions Otto, which allows the audience to see whether Otto will “accept” or “challenge” the atmosphere at this moment. Benjamin attempts to remind Otto of the bond they once shared. He asks Otto “have you forgotten who you are?”(Balson 119-121). Otto’s response shows that he has adopted a new virtue of self-preservation, when he tells Benjamin he cannot “risk it” and go against the Nazis; Otto also mentions that he cannot befriend Jews or he will get into trouble. This statement shows two things, that Otto no longer has the virtue of philia and that he as adopted a new one. This is a key turning point in the novel in which Balson shows the audience the choices the two men face during this worldview. Benjamin chooses to challenge the atmosphere where as Otto decides to accept it. While Otto as adopted the different virtue of self-preservation. Otto is acting in a similar nature as he did in the beginning of the novel when Benjamin compared him to a “dead car battery”. Otto is not able to sustain his “battery” as Benjamin believes Otto has the mindset to be the “perfect Nazi” since he succumbs to peer pressure from the Nazis. Benjamin realizes that Otto is weak and believes that there is good in all men. The contrast can be seen Benjamin tells Catherine how these “men” or “Nazis” were not born evil but influenced by others to act evil. This can be seen in the following passage: Humans are incapable of planning and propagating mass genocide unless prompted by external evil. There is inherent goodness in the soul of man. God put it there. These Nazis were minions of the devil, recruited among the weak and those inclined to evil…These monsters weren’t just bad humans, Catherine, they had become missionaries, dispatched to spread the most heinous evil the world has ever seen" (Balson 72).
Balson suggest there is “goodness” in individual’s soul. As mentioned earlier in the novel Otto’s “soul was empty” but the Solomons were able to sustain and nourish Otto to give him life and provide him with the virtue of philia. It is through this virtue that brought out the goodness in Otto’s character. Because Otto inherent this “goodness” from the Solomon’s he was able to help the Solomon and himself live a “good life”. Balson makes the audience aware of the “goodness” that was once in Otto but also suggest that the other “minions” might have had “goodness” also within them. However, due to the changing atmosphere within the novel, Otto and other Nazis do not appear to have this characteristic anymore. It is important to consider that these individuals were influenced to do evil, as they adopted the virtue of self-preservation or perhaps a different virtue similar to what Otto has done. Taking this into consideration their “goodness” disappeared while under the influence of evil these men have changed. As thing get progressively worse, the audience can see how the plot structure of the novel can show us if the two characters continue to live by their virtues. Not too long after Benjamin mentions that Nazis “were minions of the devil” Otto is pressured by his Nazi cohorts to send Benjamin to work detail at Janowice to help construct a new camp. Up to this point Otto has avoided sending Benjamin to work detail until Otto is pressured by the Nazis to send him away. At this point in the novel the audience can see the narrative fiction plot structure applies; according to Ledbetter “the plot assigns values, a character then chooses to accept or reject them”(Ledbetter 14). Otto’s actions of sending Benjamin off to work at Janowice provides the audience with a “virtue revealing” character trait. Balson is exposing to the audience that Otto no longer has the virtue of philia and has adopted the new one of self-preservation. This shift in virtues shows the audience one of Otto’s characteristics of betrayal. Otto sends Benjamin off to Janowice to work. This decision goes against the virtue of philia. This example within the plot shows that Otto has changed his “virtues”. Ledbetter states the “repetitive moments in which the character can make decisions [can] establish a virtue in which he/she will live”(Ledbetter 14). Otto “decisions” show the audience the virtue of self-preservation, as he continues to be alienating himself from the Solomons. Otto based on the constant peer pressure or as Ledbetter puts it “repetitive moments” from his Nazi cohort have helped Otto establish to the audience his new virtue of self-preservation. Benjamin on the other hand is able to stick to his virtue of philia despite what is happening around him. As the plot continues Benjamin continues to have the virtue of philia. Benjamin is aware of his “finitude”; through narrative fiction Ledbetter believes that “atmosphere can be those finite conditions that threaten human life-death and disease”(Ledbetter 13). Despite the risk and limitations, Benjamin ventures back into Zamosc to see what is happening with his parents. Benjamin leaves Hannah and Beka despite the feeling that the two girls believe it is too dangerous and “feared for [his] safety” (Balson 148). However, the three have limited resources and Benjamin decides to head to the remote location where Otto was supposed to hide their
need. Benjamin’s father Abraham even tells Otto he will be able to “help” them. Because Otto has been greatly influenced by the Solomons and gained the virtue of philia though his upbringing they believe he will make virtuous decisions. Following the time that Otto leaves the Solomons, he still feels a connection with the family as he continues to have the virtue of philia. Otto offers the Solomons “help” as he provides them with extra rations of food. Otto also provides insight on the Gestapo taking away valuables from the Jews. Ledbetter term “philia” continues to apply here. As Otto attempts to help his friends; Otto tells Benjamin of a plan to hide their valuables: “Tell Uncle Abraham to gather some of your most precious things, like jewelry and gold, like Aunt Leah's diamond bracelet, and give them to me. I'll take them out to Grandpa Yaakov's and hide them. Select only the very most valuable, because if you don't turn in enough property at the Town hall, they'll know you're cheating and they'll tear your place apart” (114).
This information Otto provides to Benjamin shows Ledbetter’s “philia” it also enforces William James, a therapeutic psychologist’s theology that Ledbetter mentions in which “honesty, trust, and the support of one human creature for another” comes into play (Ledbetter 17).
The Solomons do as they are told. Otto suggests that Hannah’s family “hides” their valuables. Both families attempt to salvage their valuables away from the Germans. Otto then “hides” the valuables in a remote location on Grandpa Yaakov’s barn in the country. In this section of the book both men exhibit the virtue of philia and trust amongst each
other. Shortly after that, the virtue of philia seems to fade for Otto. As time goes on as the Nazis start to have an influence Otto. Otto no longer has the “support” from the Solomons to “fuel” his dead battery. As noted earlier Otto is easy to influence as the Solomons had a positive influence on him. It is at this time point in the novel that Balson shows the audience that Otto is slowly changing as his peers outside of the Solomon household influence him. As Otto has limited contact with the Solomons he appears to be reverting back to survival mode. Benjamin runs into Otto’s girlfriend, a mutual friend named Elzbieta, Benjamin asks how things are going between the couple. Elzbieta tells Benjamin Otto is “a little full of himself” lately. This comment suggests that Otto is changed, from hanging out with the Germans. This ties back into the metaphor mentioned earlier that Otto is like a “dead battery” and cannot hold a charge. Otto is not able to sustain him or the virtue of philia and is greatly influenced by others around him. Another example of this change is when Hannah’s mom is caught hiding valuable and is taken away by the Gestapo. Benjamin’s virtue of philia is consistent as he faces the situation with courage and strives to help Hannah and locate her mother, but Otto’s is not the same. Ledbetter description of philia applies perfectly to Benjamin that is “belief in friends and family, the possibility of the good life through community and human relationship” as he sets out to help Hannah find her mother (7). Benjamin is able to track down the only man he believes will be able to help him, Otto. In a discussion between the two men the audience can starts to differentiate the difference or the change in virtues between the two men. Otto now has adopted the virtue of self-preservation, only looking out for him-self. This can be seen as Benjamin tells Otto they need to “rescue” Hannah’s mother. Otto on the other hand “shakes his head” and states there is nothing they can do to help her. Otto refused to “help” Benjamin. Benjamin questions Otto, which allows the audience to see whether Otto will “accept” or “challenge” the atmosphere at this moment. Benjamin attempts to remind Otto of the bond they once shared. He asks Otto “have you forgotten who you are?”(Balson 119-121). Otto’s response shows that he has adopted a new virtue of self-preservation, when he tells Benjamin he cannot “risk it” and go against the Nazis; Otto also mentions that he cannot befriend Jews or he will get into trouble. This statement shows two things, that Otto no longer has the virtue of philia and that he as adopted a new one. This is a key turning point in the novel in which Balson shows the audience the choices the two men face during this worldview. Benjamin chooses to challenge the atmosphere where as Otto decides to accept it. While Otto as adopted the different virtue of self-preservation. Otto is acting in a similar nature as he did in the beginning of the novel when Benjamin compared him to a “dead car battery”. Otto is not able to sustain his “battery” as Benjamin believes Otto has the mindset to be the “perfect Nazi” since he succumbs to peer pressure from the Nazis. Benjamin realizes that Otto is weak and believes that there is good in all men. The contrast can be seen Benjamin tells Catherine how these “men” or “Nazis” were not born evil but influenced by others to act evil. This can be seen in the following passage: Humans are incapable of planning and propagating mass genocide unless prompted by external evil. There is inherent goodness in the soul of man. God put it there. These Nazis were minions of the devil, recruited among the weak and those inclined to evil…These monsters weren’t just bad humans, Catherine, they had become missionaries, dispatched to spread the most heinous evil the world has ever seen" (Balson 72).
Balson suggest there is “goodness” in individual’s soul. As mentioned earlier in the novel Otto’s “soul was empty” but the Solomons were able to sustain and nourish Otto to give him life and provide him with the virtue of philia. It is through this virtue that brought out the goodness in Otto’s character. Because Otto inherent this “goodness” from the Solomon’s he was able to help the Solomon and himself live a “good life”. Balson makes the audience aware of the “goodness” that was once in Otto but also suggest that the other “minions” might have had “goodness” also within them. However, due to the changing atmosphere within the novel, Otto and other Nazis do not appear to have this characteristic anymore. It is important to consider that these individuals were influenced to do evil, as they adopted the virtue of self-preservation or perhaps a different virtue similar to what Otto has done. Taking this into consideration their “goodness” disappeared while under the influence of evil these men have changed. As thing get progressively worse, the audience can see how the plot structure of the novel can show us if the two characters continue to live by their virtues. Not too long after Benjamin mentions that Nazis “were minions of the devil” Otto is pressured by his Nazi cohorts to send Benjamin to work detail at Janowice to help construct a new camp. Up to this point Otto has avoided sending Benjamin to work detail until Otto is pressured by the Nazis to send him away. At this point in the novel the audience can see the narrative fiction plot structure applies; according to Ledbetter “the plot assigns values, a character then chooses to accept or reject them”(Ledbetter 14). Otto’s actions of sending Benjamin off to work at Janowice provides the audience with a “virtue revealing” character trait. Balson is exposing to the audience that Otto no longer has the virtue of philia and has adopted the new one of self-preservation. This shift in virtues shows the audience one of Otto’s characteristics of betrayal. Otto sends Benjamin off to Janowice to work. This decision goes against the virtue of philia. This example within the plot shows that Otto has changed his “virtues”. Ledbetter states the “repetitive moments in which the character can make decisions [can] establish a virtue in which he/she will live”(Ledbetter 14). Otto “decisions” show the audience the virtue of self-preservation, as he continues to be alienating himself from the Solomons. Otto based on the constant peer pressure or as Ledbetter puts it “repetitive moments” from his Nazi cohort have helped Otto establish to the audience his new virtue of self-preservation. Benjamin on the other hand is able to stick to his virtue of philia despite what is happening around him. As the plot continues Benjamin continues to have the virtue of philia. Benjamin is aware of his “finitude”; through narrative fiction Ledbetter believes that “atmosphere can be those finite conditions that threaten human life-death and disease”(Ledbetter 13). Despite the risk and limitations, Benjamin ventures back into Zamosc to see what is happening with his parents. Benjamin leaves Hannah and Beka despite the feeling that the two girls believe it is too dangerous and “feared for [his] safety” (Balson 148). However, the three have limited resources and Benjamin decides to head to the remote location where Otto was supposed to hide their