In the following pages I want to show the similarities and differences between the book “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit” by Judith Kerr and Roberto Benigni’s film “Life Is Beautiful”. These two personal statements of Judith Kerr and Roberto Benigni already show that their works are a bit different. Therefore I will concentrate both as well on the shared features as on the distinct ones.
The romantic fairy tale “Life Is Beautiful” won Academy Awards for Best Music and Best Foreign Language Film and Benigni won Best Actor for his role. It was also the winner at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998 and it won the Best Jewish Experience Award at the Jerusalem International Film Festival.
After a short comparison of the characters, the setting and time I will continue with the problems a family have when living a life in exile. Afterwards, I will analyse both works with reference to the attitude of life and to the family togetherness. Furthermore, I will try to examine the contrasts between “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit” and “Life Is Beautiful” regarding fantasy and reality and the question arises as to whether the children can be considered as victims. The next important aspect is the representation of the Holocaust and teaching this topic in school. Finally, I will discuss the ending of both “Life Is Beautiful” and “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit”. The conclusion will comprise the main points and some suggestions for further discussion. The main character in “Life Is Beautiful” Guido Orefice is always in a good mood and he doesn’t lose his laughter and humour even in the concentration camp. “Life Is Beautiful” is about a happy living family that is suddenly deported into a concentration camp. But Guido wants to protect his son Giosuè from the horrors by convincing him that the camp is just a game. “Life Is Beautiful” as well as “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit” is about a Jewish family during the World War II. You can draw a comparison between Guido and the father of Anna and Max because both of them want only the best for their children. Guido protects his son from the horrors which surround them with all his power and Anna’s father cares also well for his family. He is the only one who earns money in spite of the financial difficulties in Switzerland and France. Both try to hold the family together and to give the other family members emotional security.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Characters, Time and Setting
- 2.1. Characters
- 2.2. Time and Setting
- 3. Life in Exile
- 4. Positive Attitude of Life
- 5. Family Togetherness
- 6. Imagination and Fantasy vs. Reality
- 7. Children - the victims?
- 8. Holocaust and Nazi Period
- 8.1. TEACHING THE HOLOCAUST IN SCHOOL?
- 9. Happy or Tragic Ending?
- 10. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to compare and contrast Judith Kerr's "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit" and Roberto Benigni's film "Life Is Beautiful," focusing on their similarities and differences in depicting Jewish families during World War II. The analysis will explore how both works portray the experiences of exile, family dynamics under duress, and the contrasting approaches to coping with trauma and adversity.
- The experiences of Jewish families in exile during World War II.
- The role of imagination and fantasy as coping mechanisms in traumatic situations.
- The contrasting portrayals of parental responses to protecting children from the horrors of war.
- The depiction of the Holocaust and its impact on families.
- The presentation of contrasting narrative styles and thematic approaches to the same historical context.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the comparative analysis of Judith Kerr's "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit" and Roberto Benigni's "Life Is Beautiful." It highlights the personal nature of both works, emphasizing their distinct yet shared features, focusing on both similarities and differences in their approach to depicting the experiences of Jewish families during World War II. The chapter also previews the subsequent analysis, outlining the key aspects that will be examined, including character comparisons, setting, life in exile, family dynamics, the contrast between fantasy and reality, the portrayal of children's experiences, the representation of the Holocaust, and a comparison of the narrative endings. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed comparative study of these two works, promising an in-depth analysis of their distinct approaches to a shared historical context.
2. Characters, Time and Setting: This chapter delves into a comparison of the characters, time periods, and settings of both narratives. It draws parallels between the fathers in both stories, highlighting their dedication to protecting their children. It contrasts the explicit depiction of Jewish identity in "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit" with the more subtle presentation in "Life Is Beautiful." The chapter also contrasts the timeframes and geographical settings, noting that Kerr's book focuses on pre-war escape and exile, while Benigni's film depicts life during the war itself, with a focus on the concentration camp experience. The analysis of the characters' motivations and relationships, along with the contrasting settings and timelines, provides a foundation for further comparisons in subsequent chapters.
3. Life in Exile: This chapter examines the experience of exile faced by Anna's family in "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit." It details the hardships encountered, including the loss of home, possessions, friends, and the emotional challenges of adapting to a new life as refugees. The chapter emphasizes the upheaval and uncertainties experienced by the family as they move from country to country, struggling with poverty and the constant threat of persecution. The emotional toll on the family, particularly on the children, is a central theme, contrasting the relative stability of the early stages of the family's journey with the increasing hardship and uncertainty as their flight continues. This chapter provides crucial context for understanding the broader themes of displacement and resilience in the face of adversity.
Keywords
World War II, Holocaust, Jewish identity, exile, family, children's literature, coping mechanisms, imagination, fantasy, reality, trauma, refugees, parental protection, narrative style, historical fiction, comparative literature.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comparative Analysis of "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit" and "Life Is Beautiful"
What is the main focus of this comparative analysis?
This analysis compares and contrasts Judith Kerr's "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit" and Roberto Benigni's film "Life Is Beautiful," focusing on their similarities and differences in depicting Jewish families during World War II. It explores how both works portray the experiences of exile, family dynamics under duress, and contrasting approaches to coping with trauma and adversity.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the experiences of Jewish families in exile during World War II; the role of imagination and fantasy as coping mechanisms; contrasting portrayals of parental responses to protecting children from war; the depiction of the Holocaust and its impact on families; and the contrasting narrative styles and thematic approaches to the same historical context.
What topics are covered in each chapter of the analysis?
The analysis includes an introduction outlining the scope and methodology; a chapter comparing characters, time periods, and settings; a chapter focusing on the experience of exile; and further chapters exploring themes like positive attitudes, family togetherness, the contrast between imagination and reality, children's experiences as victims, the Holocaust, and finally, a comparison of the narrative endings. A conclusion summarizes the findings.
How are the characters in both works compared?
The analysis draws parallels between the fathers in both stories, highlighting their dedication to protecting their children. It contrasts the explicit depiction of Jewish identity in "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit" with the more subtle presentation in "Life Is Beautiful." The chapter also contrasts the motivations and relationships of the characters within their respective contexts.
How do the works portray the experience of exile?
The analysis details the hardships of exile faced by Anna's family in "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit," including loss of home, possessions, and the emotional challenges of adapting to a new life as refugees. It contrasts this with the experience portrayed in "Life Is Beautiful," highlighting the differences in the nature and intensity of the exile experience depicted in each work.
How is the role of imagination and fantasy addressed?
The analysis explores how both works utilize imagination and fantasy as coping mechanisms for dealing with the trauma of war and persecution. It examines the different ways in which these mechanisms are employed and their effectiveness in protecting children from the harsh realities of their situation.
How do the narratives contrast in their portrayal of parental responses to protecting children?
The analysis highlights the contrasting ways in which parents in both stories attempt to shield their children from the horrors of war. It compares and contrasts their approaches and the effectiveness of these strategies.
How is the Holocaust depicted in each work?
The analysis examines the portrayal of the Holocaust and its impact on the families in both "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit" and "Life Is Beautiful." It notes differences in the explicitness and directness of the depiction of the Holocaust in each work.
What are the key differences in the narrative styles of both works?
The analysis compares and contrasts the distinct narrative styles employed in the book and the film. It examines how these differing narrative approaches shape the presentation of the historical events and thematic concerns.
What keywords best describe this comparative analysis?
World War II, Holocaust, Jewish identity, exile, family, children's literature, coping mechanisms, imagination, fantasy, reality, trauma, refugees, parental protection, narrative style, historical fiction, comparative literature.
- Quote paper
- Anastasia Deibert (Author), 2006, Comparison between "When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit" and "Life Is Beautiful", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/88702
