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Chapter 21
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Schindler’s List, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Virtue and Selflessness
Anti-Semitism and Dehumanization
Power
Duty
Bureaucracy
Summary
Analysis
By the time Schindler’s workers are returned to him (now under guard from Płaszów), he is once again determined to collect useful information for Dr. Sedlacek’s next visit. He learns that Goeth is running the place according to his own cruel whims—that despite ostensibly being a work camp, it is a place of execution as well. The SS make no effort to hide these executions, suggesting that all in the camp are planned to meet the same fate.
The more cruelty Schindler witnesses, the more determined he becomes to contribute to the resistance effort. One of the most important resources he can provide is information, because of his close contact with men like Goeth.
Themes
One morning, Goeth goes out and murders a prisoner at random, establishing his style of ruling. He also breaks his promise not to interfere with the factories, detaining workers so that they don’t make their shifts. Madritsch consults Schindler about this, hoping they can both bring the matter up together.
Schindler gets the idea of building his own camp to keep his workers. He complains to an engineer and asks if the engineer would support his idea if he can find the space. Goeth enthusiastically approves the idea, on the condition that the SS generals also approve. The next day, a meeting is arranged with Scherner. Goeth and Scherner make Schindler pay the expenses for the new camp construction. They don’t buy his arguments that his move is best for business, and they suspect he sympathizes with the Jews. But they also see an opportunity to make a lot of money off of him, so they agree to his proposal.
Schindler always knows his audience. He is able to get away with character quirks, such as being considered a Jewish sympathizer, because ultimately, he helps the people around him make a lot of money and improve their reputations. In this way, he is Goeth’s foil: rather than gaining power through domination and senseless violence the way Goeth does, Schindler is able to influence other people just by earning their respect.
Themes
Goeth is stingy with camp food rations, selling some of them on the black market through a Jew named Wilek Chilowicz. Meanwhile, Schindler goes and talks to the neighbors to his factory (since he needs space to build), ultimately convincing them that there will be benefits to them having their own Jewish workers kept so close. He spends a lot of money on the camp, but he can afford to because profits are so high.
Although the gas chambers in extermination camps killed thousands of Jewish people, many other deaths were caused more indirectly. In many places, lack of proper nutrition was a major cause of mortality, although it isn’t clear whether Goeth is holding back food out of hatred or greed (or both).
Themes
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Schindler requests help from a young engineer named Adam Garde. He tells Garde of his plan for six barracks to house up to 1,200 people. One morning on his way to Emalia, he is stopped by Goeth in a limousine, who asks why Garde is being escorted by a single guard. The Ukrainian guard mentions Schindler’s name, hoping it will be effective, and it seems to work. Later, Goeth approaches Chilowicz, who has established himself as the head of the Jewish camp police. He says they may as well just send Garde to Schindler full time, since they have engineers to spare—Garde just has to finish Goeth’s conservatory first.
Garde’s story shows just how much scrutiny the Jewish prisoners outside of Emalia had to endure. The fact that Goeth lets Garde be transferred to Emalia shows how much respect Goeth has for Schindler—he doesn’t actually care about Jewish people’s autonomy, but he’s careful not to step on Schindler’s toes. This is probably because Goeth knows Schindler will do him favors—yet another example of how Schindler gains power and influence through by earning people’s trust and using nonviolent manipulation rather than violence.
Themes
Goeth is cruel to Garde as he works on the conservatory, at one point shattering his hand. For the rest of the job, Garde tries to hide his deformed hand until, at last, he is transferred to Emalia for good.
Once again, Goeth is cruel in a way that seems senseless and almost careless. But though he arbitrarily brutalizes Jewish prisoners, he is often surprisingly faithful in keeping his word to men like Schindler.
Themes
