The Sunflower By Wiesenthal Analysis

To me personally, I find the simple question of “What would I have done?” in Wiesenthal’s autobiography to not have a simple answer at all. This concept of putting yourself in Simon’s place leads the mind to wonder. Trying to understand that same traumatic experience as described in The Sunflower seems nearly impossible to determine what your probable response would be. After all is it even possible to forgive, forget, and offer compassion to someone who is capable of such a massive massacre? Did Simon show justice, mercy, forgiveness, punishment, suffering, or were moral obligations unfulfilled? One single decision can cause various people to interpret Simon’s actions and reflect upon them according to their beliefs. As for my personal thoughts,
I can’t honestly describe how I would feel if I stood where Simon Wiesenthal did. As stated in The Sunflower it quotes “....But anyhow nobody who has not had our experience will be able to understand fully,” (Wiesenthal 78). I can’t comprehend entirely how it must have been in those concentration camps, and watching a dying nazi plead for forgiveness. I would aspire to have the heart and ability to forgive Karl for his actions, being the sympathetic person I am. However, I know I wouldn’t be able to because it would be extraordinarily difficult to show that much benevolence.
I couldn’t forgive anyone with that level of importance, none the less a murder. For one reason that it wouldn't be my place to impose forgiveness. It isn’t my right to offer closure for crimes committed inflicted on others. Therefore, I would most likely leave saying a few words indicating my feelings kindly of how I felt towards his actions, and how I couldn’t forgive him. In the passage, it expresses “Perhaps I hadn’t conveyed all my feelings: a sub-human condemned to death at the bedside of an SS man condemned to death... Perhaps I hadn’t communicated the atmosphere and the despair at his crimes so clearly expressed in his words,” (Wiesenthal 70). This quote suggests that the author himself didn’t think he conveyed his opinion though his silence. Similarly, to this statement I feel that things were left unsaid in that hospital. I don’t think Simon acted wrongly, but to me, the silence can send several different messages. I feel that silence doesn’t show that you took the time to listen, even if you choose to not forgive. While some people say that Simon acted appropriately, and how they would of made it clear there feelings of resentment towards
Karl. They fail to address how we can’t fully understand Simon’s experiences to judge for ourselves. Also, that simple silence doesn’t fully answer questions towards forgiveness.