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Dramatic Irony
Flashbacks
Explanation and Analysis—Mid-War to Childhood:
Schindler’s List begins in the middle of World War II, then flashes back in time. The novel’s prologue occurs in autumn 1943, at which time Schindler is an established factory-owner in Cracow, mingling with the Nazis in charge of the Płaszów concentration camp while secretly trying to protect the lives and dignity of the Jewish prisoners who work for him. Chapter 1 then moves back in time, briefly mentioning Germany’s 1939 invasion of Poland and Schindler’s subsequent move to Cracow before launching into a lengthy account of Schindler’s early childhood.
By opening in the midst of the war, the novel establishes Schindler as a complex, surprising character. At first, his political and moral leanings aren’t entirely clear to the reader, but his disapproval of the Nazi project slowly becomes apparent. The immediate flashback to his move to Cracow shows his single-minded financial aspirations, which stand in contrast to the complex morality outlined in the prologue. In this way, the novel primes the reader to expect a story of intense personal growth.
Describing Schindler’s parents and upbringing, meanwhile, provides crucial context for his adult personality, in particular his relationship to women. The flashback also emphasizes Schindler’s unassuming beginnings. In many ways, he has lived an ordinary life, which makes his extraordinary actions during the war all the more remarkable.
Related Themes:
