The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness

The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness

by

Simon Wiesenthal

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on The Sunflower makes teaching easy.

The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness: Roger Kamanetz Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Kamanetz states that Simon’s response to Karl was the best possible response. He makes a simple point: Karl did not view Simon as an individual because he simply asked for “a Jew.” While Simon saw Karl as a specific person, Karl did not afford him that same courtesy. Perhaps if he had, a conversation about forgiveness could begin.
Kamanetz writes that the question of forgiveness cannot even be addressed because Karl did not see Simon as an individual person. Again, this form of dehumanization proves that Karl still retains his anti-Semitic bias and has not changed his values.
Themes
Forgiveness and Compassion Theme Icon
Anti-Semitism and Dehumanization Theme Icon
Quotes