"You've evolved an entire system around this figure, a structure with countless substructures and interrelated fields of study, a history within history." (11-12)
This quote really stuck out to me. Gladney relates his studies of Hitler to other parts of history. Within Hitler there are many other parts of his past and other parts of history that lead to making him a historical figure. Many different parts lead to history. This quote reminded me a lot of when we studied Jared Lee Loughner. We looked at his history to try to figure out why he committed an act that made him a part of "history". Just as Hitler's childhood lead to him becoming a part of history. Hitler being a dictator lead to other actions and events that are also considered history. History is within History.
"There's not much doubt that Hitler was what we call a mama's boy." (71)
This quote is from a section where Gladney challenges Murray with facts about Hitler when Murray is presenting facts about Elvis. The two compare Elvis and Hitler's relationship to their mothers. Gladney shows that he has an immense amount of knowledge on Hitlers life before he was a dictator and evil. He mentions how his mother and niece were the women with the greatest hold on his mind. I find it interesting on how he presents this history. He does not tell you he is going to tell about Hitler's upbringing, yet he shares information that is not commonly known. Gladney gives Hitler's history so people can get more of an understanding about Hitler that doesn't involve concentration camps or death. He is sharing positive facts about Hitler and all the while comparing it to Elvis, who is very popular.
"Let me whisper the terrible word, from Old English, from the Old German, from the Old Norse. Death." (73)
In history death is a huge factor. In class we have seen how in history death is always brought up. This quote is from the section that deals with why crowds surrounded Hitler. Gladney says that they were resisting death. He says they formed a shield to protect them from death. This makes a lot of sense. If people appeared to be in support and were in the crowd they are at least avoiding death for a while. The reference to old english, old german and old norse show that death has always and will always be a part of history. As Mariana and Gina both mentioned that Death and dead people. Gladney too acknowledges this.
I think that it is important that you pointed out the part about how Gladney goes into detail discussing Hitler's upbringing, before he was the Hitler that most of us imagine. Its a way to try and understand, as we did with Loughner, why he did the things he did.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, and maybe this is too strong of a word, but Gladney manipulates the way his audience views history. They will walk away, perhaps thinking of hitler differently. But then again, maybe anytime we learn about history, its manipulated, even unintentionally, by the person from who we learn. As we have seen, everyone has a bias...