The Nazi Party official on board the St. Louis. In contrast to Captain Schroeder, Schiendick views the Jewish passengers as subhuman, even calling the Jewish children “rats” when they take a tour of the ship. Schiendick is cruel, and takes pleasure in making life harder for the Jewish refugees on board the ship. When Aaron insists during a funeral on board that the man not be set adrift in the Nazi flag, Schiendick retaliates by ransacking Josef’s family’s cabin. Thus, Schiendick’s actions demonstrate how when a person dehumanizes and stereotypes another group of people, it is then easy for them to be brutal and unjust toward that group.
Otto Schiendick Quotes in Refugee
The Refugee quotes below are all either spoken by Otto Schiendick or refer to Otto Schiendick. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Josef: On the Atlantic Ocean – 1939, 10 days
Quotes
“Jewish rats,” Schiendick said, sneering at Josef and the other kids. Many of them looked at their shoes, and even Josef looked away, trying not to draw the big man’s attention. Josef clenched his fists, and his ears burned hot with frustration and embarrassment at his helplessness.
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Otto Schiendick Quotes in Refugee
The Refugee quotes below are all either spoken by Otto Schiendick or refer to Otto Schiendick. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Josef: On the Atlantic Ocean – 1939, 10 days
Quotes
“Jewish rats,” Schiendick said, sneering at Josef and the other kids. Many of them looked at their shoes, and even Josef looked away, trying not to draw the big man’s attention. Josef clenched his fists, and his ears burned hot with frustration and embarrassment at his helplessness.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
