Discussion Topic
Depictions of the past shaping the present in Bernard Schlink's The Reader
Summary:
In The Reader, Bernard Schlink explores how the past shapes the present through the protagonist Michael's relationship with Hanna. Michael's discovery of Hanna's Nazi past and his subsequent feelings of guilt and betrayal significantly impact his personal and emotional development, illustrating how historical events and personal connections continue to influence one's present life and identity.
In Bernard Schlink's The Reader, what examples show the past shaping the present?
In the novel, Bernhard Schlink focuses on one interpersonal relationship to convey the paradoxes of Germany’s post-World War II situation. By placing Hanna and Michael at the center, the author explores the impact on adults who made bad choices and on the children coming of age after the war. By including the post-war trials of the civilian criminals, Schlink addresses the societal burden of making individuals accountable for their actions.
The fact that Michael was a teenager when he became involved with Hanna is largely used to account for his lack of interest in her as a total person; this can be seen as standing for Germany’s avoidance of its past. During the trial, Hanna does not evade responsibility for her actions while she was a SS guard. Rather, she justifies her actions as consistent with her assigned position—an argument routinely rejected in accusing atrocities. Hanna’s illiteracy, like Michael’s youth,...
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symbolizes the avoidance of history. As Hanna is punished by incarceration, at the same time she learns to read; through confronting its terrible history, the author suggests, the country may also atone.
In The Reader, past events shape Michael's and Hanna's emotional landscape.
When Michael and Hanna were involved with one another, a lack of emotional commitment led to their undoing. Neither Hanna or Michael generated a healthy and open emotional commitment. Issues of fear, sex, violence, dependence, education, and age were just a few that plagued their relationship. Their lack of emotional honesty prevented these issues from being properly addressed, and clouded their time together. Being unable to sort out these issues not only led to their undoing, but set the stage for their future interactions.
A lack of emotional commitment shaped the next time their paths crossed. When Michael is in the courtroom, an emotional commitment in the form of telling the truth about Hanna would have delivered her from an unjust verdict. Michael retreats into metaphysical rationalization as opposed to fully committing to an emotional connection to another human being. Hanna is also emotionally unable to fully commit to the truth. Rather than accept her illiteracy in public, she accepts blame for something she did not do. The courtroom shows the lack of openness that defined the earlier part of their relationship. Even though they are no longer together, Michael and Hanna are still living lives filled with evasion of emotional truth.
While Hanna is in jail, a lack of emotional connection continues to shape their relationship. Michael can commit to reciting books on tape for Hanna. He can be there for her through recorded tape. However, he cannot commit to her rehabilitation process, as he is unable to write personalized letters to her. The emotional distance that defined their earlier relationship shapes this phase of their time. Michael runs away from the complexity of emotions. Even though so many years have passed, he cannot bring himself to embrace emotional intimacy. He won't even admit to having a deep relationship with her. When the warden asks Michael why he did not respond to Hanna's repeated pleas, he can only shrug his shoulders. The lack of emotional commitment that defined Hanna's and Michael's past shapes their present and future.