Never before have I been so torn in deciding whether the motives of one man’s actions should be applauded or questioned. “Schindler’s List ” is a jaw-dropping World War II story set in Krakow, Southern Poland in the early 1910s. We enter the business world of Oskar Schindler and watch as he saves Jewish lives, but does so for his own monetary gain. Initially, Schindler joined the Nazi Party, for the sole purpose of advancing himself politically. He opened a factory, named Deutsche Emailwarenfabrik (German Enamelware Factory), employing Jewish people from the nearby Krakova Jewish Ghetto. This was forced labour, which equaled cut costs for Schindler himself, as in the beginning, he was set on making money off the war. I find it amazing that a person can grow and mature as much as Schindler did over the course of just a few years. How can one go from using people for easy money, to spending all their money on these same people? Schindler became somewhat of a new person by the end of the film, and it truly inspired me. It inspired me to be a better person in all aspects of both my social and academic lives. But for the most part, the film taught me that life isn’t always about making money. It’s about being a good person to everyone around you, and although there are some moments when it’s okay to be selfish, it’s important to always consider those around you, and how your actions may impact their lives, no matter to which degree. 

Now, I’ve always been taught that money can’t buy happiness, but through ‘Schindler’s List,” I have seen this in a new light. Schindler’s money may not have bought happiness for his Jews, or himself, but he saved the Jews from an almost inevitable death in Auschwitz, which also resulted in him somehwat proud of his efforts, although he wished he saved more. In turn, the Jews lived to an old age, having families of their own. Even though their life was difficult, and people held prejudices against them for their religious beliefs, most eventually grew to live happily, and are eternally grateful for the actions of Schindler.  This film truly moved me. In one of the final scenes he is seen in an almost hysterical state, crying over not saving more Jews. It made me realise that I, and everyone around me, should value other people’s lives, feelings, and make sure to do anything to ensure happiness, or partial happiness in others. Ranging from giving someone a compliment, to saving thousands of Jews from a concentration camp, good deeds should be a part of the lives of everyone on earth. To me, it doesn’t seem like this is the case. There is inequality in the world in many shapes and forms. Racism, classism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia; the list goes on. People value their lives and their happiness and do not care how it impacts others. In my view, the happiness of others adds to your own happiness, which appears to me to be a deeper meaning behind the film, and truly inspires me to be the best version of myself every day.

Just complimenting someone’s outfit or makeup makes me feel good about myself. To see their face light up is worth more than money. This is something that the film taught me; money isn’t everything. If I was selfish, like Schindler at the beginning of the film, I would be disliked by the majority of my school or the wider community. As Schindler’s character evolves over the film, we can see he begins to be liked and valued by those around him. This is highlighted in the last scene, where both the actors and the real Schindler’s Jews visit his grave, paying their respect. I found this to be the most moving scene in the film, and it brought tears to my eyes. The emotion in the eyes of the Schindler’s Jews could be seen so deeply; appreciation and gratitude, amongst the sadness as they remembered the years they were discriminated against. They were almost considered inhuman, and the acts committed against them disgusts me. Although society isn’t currently ‘perfect,’ I have realised over the course of the film, that we are a lot luckier today than those were in the past. People are still discriminated against for being homosexual, or in low social/economic classes, but not to the extent of being placed into concentration camps. It also dawned on me that we live in such a bubble here in Wanaka, usually away from the drama of the rest of the world. The media tends to keep things on the down-low, and prejudiced actions are not usually publicly mentioned, although they do happen often.