'The Good German'

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at Joseph Kanon's novel, 'The Good German'. According to the paper, the book portrays the historical and ethical dilemma represented by the Potsdam Conference where the future of Europe is being decided. The paper further discusses the ethical dilemma of the character, Gunther Behn, a decorated German soldier during the First World War and a police office during the Nazi regime. The paper reports that Behn's wife is Jewish.

From the Paper:

"This is an extraordinary ethical dilemma, historically speaking and thus reflected through the novel, because, from a utilitarian point of view, the action of allying with the Soviets during the Second World War is just: choosing the lesser of the evils to defeat the greatest evil manifesting itself at that time, the evil one is fighting. On the other hand, given the later implications, the evil force that the Soviet Union came to represent, we are wondering whether or not it was the actual just decision to make."
"On a micro level, we have small, individually addressed ethical dilemmas, like the one Gunther Behn is having. It is interesting to point out towards this ethical dilemma because, in some ways, it seems as if such small, micro dilemmas, are tying in to the title of the book."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kanon, Joseph. The Good German. Picador USA. June 2002

More papers on 'The Good German':

• Analytical Essay # 120353 : "German Expressionism and Early Cinema"
• Film Review # 112297 : "Good-Bye Lenin"
• Book Review # 130415 : "The Proud Tower" and the Great War"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: