FINAL EXAM

“When one speaks of humanity, the idea is fundamental that this is something which separates and distinguishes man from nature. In reality, however, there is no such separation: “natural” qualities and those called truly “human” are inseparably grown together. Man, in his highest and noblest capacities, is wholly nature and embodies its uncanny dual character. Those of his abilities which are terrifying and considered inhuman may even be the fertile soil out of which alone all humanity can grow in impulse, deed, and work.”

A) Ernst Jünger

B) Friedrich Nietzsche

C) George Grosz

D) Max Weber

ANSWER: A

Which factors contributed to the downfall of the Weimar Republic?

A)   A weak commitment to the values of democracy by large sectors of the population

B)   High levels of inflation due to a weak currency

C)   High levels of unemployment after the Great Depression in 1929

D)   All of the above

ANSWER:D

What event provided the justification for Hitler to declare a state of emergency?

A)   The Allied bombing of Dresden

B)   The Reichstag fire

C)   French occupation of parts of Western Germany

D)   The Spartacus Uprising

ANSWER:B 

“Whoever wants to engage in politics at all, and especially in politics as a vocation, has to realize these ethical paradoxes. He must know that he is responsible for what he may become of himself under the impact of these paradoxes. I repeat, he lets himself in for the diabolic forces lurking in all violence.”

A)   Friedrich Nietzsche

B)   Herman Hesse

C)   Max Weber

D)   Walter Benjamin

ANSWER:C

What is the significance of the name Spartacus?

A)   A medieval German king

B)   An ancient Greek philosopher

C)   The leader of a slave revolt against the Romans

D)   The founder of the Social Democratic Party

ANSWER:C

What event constituted the “Great Betrayal” in the eyes of social democrats like Rosa Luxemburg?

A)   The voting of war credits by the Social Democratic Party in 1914

B)   The success of the Russian Revolution in 1917

C)   The Franco-Prussian War of 1870

D)   The surrender of Germany in 1918

ANSWER:A

“This examination would not be complete, however, if it did not touch upon a third and colder order that bestows its unique character on our time of change. The growing objectification of our life appears most distinctly in technology, this great mirror, which is sealed off in a unique way from the grip of pain. Technology is our uniform. Yet we are too deeply immersed in this process to comprehend it to its full extent.”

A)   Walter Benjamin

B)   Hannah Hoch

C)   Ernst Jünger

D)   Rosa Luxemburg

ANSWER:C

“Business thrives in the ruins. Cities become piles of ruins; villages become cemeteries; countries, deserts; populations are beggared; churches, horse stalls. International law, treaties and alliances, the most sacred words and the highest authority have been torn in shreds. Every sovereign “by the grace of God” is called a rogue and lying scoundrel by his cousin on the other side. Every diplomat is a cunning rascal to his colleagues in the other party. Every government sees every other as dooming its own people and worthy only of universal contempt. There are food riots in Venice, in Lisbon, Moscow, Singapore. There is plague in Russia, and misery and despair everywhere.”

A)   Friedrich Nietzsche

B)   Rosa Luxemburg

C)   Karl Marx

D)   Max Weber

ANSWER:B

 What is the name of the professor in The Blue Angel?

A)   Rath

B)   Geeves

C)   Dietrich

D)   Caligari

ANSWER:A

 What is the “twist ending” at the end of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari?

A)   Dr. Caligari is not a doctor

B)   Francis is a patient at a mental institution

C)   Cesare and Jane get married

D)   Caligari is Cesare’s father

ANSWER:B

“This is how one pictures the angel of history. His face is turned toward the past. Where we perceive a chain of events, he sees one single catastrophe which keeps piling wreckage upon wreckage and hurls it in front of his feet. The angel would like to stay, awaken the dead, and make whole what had been smashed. But a storm is blowing from Paradise; it has got caught in his wings with such violence that the angel can no longer close them.”

A)   Walter Benjamin

B)   Herman Hesse

C)   Friedrich Nietzsche

D)   Rosa Luxemburg

ANSWER:A

"Even the most perfect reproduction of a work of art is lacking in one element: its presence in time and space, its unique existence at the place where it happens to be. This unique existence of the work of art determined the history to which it was subject throughout the time of its existence."

A)   Walter Benjamin

B)   Arthur Schnitzler

C)   Max Weber

D)   Herman Hesse

ANSWER:A

 Which period of time was relatively stable during the Weimar era?

A)   1919-1923

B)   1924-1929

C)   1929-1933

D)   All of the above

ANSWER:B

 “He had started to suspect that his venerable father and his other teachers, that the wise Brahmans had already revealed to him the most and best of their wisdom, that they had already filled his expecting vessel with their richness, and the vessel was not full, the spirit was not content, the soul was not calm, the heart was not satisfied. The ablutions were good, but they were water, they did not wash off the sin, they did not heal the spirit's thirst, they did not relieve the fear in his heart. The sacrifices and the invocation of the gods were excellent—but was that all?”

A)   Herman Hesse

B)   Walter Benjamin

C)   Friedrich Nietzsche

D)   Max Weber

ANSWER:A

 After the Spartacus Uprising failed many of the former members formed which political party?

A)   SPD

B)   NSDAP

C)   DDP

D)   KPD

ANSWER:D

What day and year did World War I end?

A)   December 25th, 1918

B)   August 4th, 1914

C)   November 11th, 1918

D)   September 1st, 1939

ANSWER:C

In which book does Nietzsche discuss the change in values between the Romans and the Christians?

A)    The Birth of Tragedy

B)    The Will to Power

C)   On Pain

D)   On the Genealogy of Morality

ANSWER:D

What does “dada” mean?

A)   A German word for protest

B)   A Nazi slogan

C)   A nonsense word with no meaning

D)   The name of a café where artists would hang out

ANSWER:C

“In war, when shells fly past our bodies at high speeds, we sense clearly that no level of intelligence, virtue, or fortitude is strong enough to deflect them, not even by a hair. To the extent this threat increases, doubt concerning the validity of our values forces itself upon us. The mind tends toward a catastrophic interpretation of things wherever it sees everything called into question.”

A)   Friedrich Nietzsche

B)   Max Weber

C)   Rosa Luxemburg

D)   Ernst Jünger

ANSWER:D

What is Fridolin’s occupation in Dream Story?

A)   lawyer

B)   doctor

C)   artist

D)   banker

ANSWER:B

Where did Max Weber deliver his address “Politics as a Vocation?”

A)   Berlin

B)   Munich

C)   Frankfurt

D)   Bremen

ANSWER:B

What was one of the immediate goals of the Spartacus group?

A)   To turn control of the government over to the SPD

B)   To avenge Germany against traitors who had “stabbed it in the back”

C)   To increase the power of soldier’s and worker’s councils over military bases and factories

D)   To return to power the German Kaiser

ANSWER:C

“The honor of the civil servant is vested in his ability to execute conscientiously the order of the superior authorities, exactly as if the order agreed with his own conviction. This holds even if the order appears wrong to him and if, despite the civil servant’s remonstrances, the authority insists on the order. Without this moral discipline and self-denial, in the highest sense, the whole apparatus would fall to pieces. The honor of the political leader, of the leading statesman, however, lies precisely in an exclusive personal responsibility for what he does, a responsibility he cannot and must not reject or transfer. It is in the nature of officials of high moral standing to be poor politicians, and above all, in the political sense of the word, to be irresponsible politicians.”

A)   Max Weber

B)   Rosa Luxemburg

C)   Herman Hesse

D)   Friedrich Nietzsche

ANSWER:A

 Which of the following large manufacturers were known to have used slave labor from Nazi concentration camps?

A)   BMW

B)   Daimler-Benz

C)   Volkswagen

D)   All of the above

ANSWER:D

What did BMW originally manufacture when it was first created?

A)   tanks

B)   cars

C)   air planes

D)   trucks

ANSWER:C

“There is no document of civilization which is not at the same time a document of barbarism. And just as such a document is not free of barbarism, barbarism taints also the manner in which it was transmitted from one to another. A historical materialist therefore dissociates himself from it as far as possible. He regards it as his task to brush history against the grain.”

A)   Herman Hesse

B)   Max Weber

C)   Ernst Jünger

D)   Walter Benjamin

ANSWER:D

NAZISM

QUOTE:     German businessmen and workers should put their differences aside and recognize their racial superiority over other races and nations. After coming to power the Nazis were able to control class struggle by controlling the prices and wages of products and workers. Independent unions were destroyed in favor of a Nazi controlled national union, the German Labor Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront, DAF).

INTERPRETATION:     My understanding of the quote is that is that the Nazis believed that the economic struggles that Germany was enduring during this time could have been easily resolved by helping the German small business owners and working class people. They began by destroying independent unions and taking control of the German labor with the idea of controlling the inflation that was destroying Germany’s economy. The Nazis believed that these individuals should stop complaining about the economy and government rulings and instead focus on how lucky they were to be Germans. They felt that these individuals should realize that they should be very and happy and fortunate to be German the best race “According to the Nazis” in the world. . The Nazis also felt that the German race and culture was above any other in the world even after the atrocities these people committed to their society and neighboring nations.

I CHOSE THIS QUOTE:    The reason I chose this quote is because I feel that the Nazis should have used another way to better Germany’s economy instead of taking over the country and killing innocent people in order to stabilize their economy. The Nazis began to brain wash these vulnerable individuals by stating that the German race was completely above any other race and that Germany was the best country in the world. By selling these ideas to their society, people began to support their actions and began be part of the Nazis movement and eventually share the same ideology as the Nazi in order to better their economy.

"POLITICS AS A VOCATION"

Please choose a passage from “Politics as a Vocation”, write out the passage, and give the meaning of the quote as well as you chose the quote. How does Weber's writings on technical leadership, rationalization, and bureaucracy anticipate Jünger's later writings on technology.

QUOTE: “It is understood that, in reality, obedience is determined by highly robust motives of fear and hope--fear of the vengeance of magical powers or of the power-holder, hope for reward in this world or in the beyond-- and besides all this, by interests of the most varied sort. Of this we shall speak presently. However, in asking for the 'legitimations' of this obedience, one meets with these three 'pure' types: 'traditional,' 'charismatic,' and 'legal.'”

INTERPRETATION: The quote depicts that in actuality a society only complies with the laws of their state out of despair and expectations. Despair of the retribution the person in power may act upon an individual or a society simply because they renounce to follow their ideas or movements. The expectations society foresee is for positive outcomes from the formal election and new election to better their community. But while asking for an acceptance of the expectations, the political figure must meet three requirements: “traditional, charismatic and legal”.

OPINION: This quote caught my attention because the idea of how to lead a society has been present for many centuries and still stands strong in today’s political system. This quote very clearly states that political figures have a tremendous power over individuals regardless of the economic or social status. Many civilians act base on fear created by these individuals to follow their idea of a perfect society regardless of the consequences. One thing I do find interesting is that the political figure must meet three classic requirements in order to be a true politician: “traditional, charismatic, and legal” but if one really thinks about it, in reality only a few have and will meet the classic requirement on being a true politician.
  

Weber’s writing speaks about revolutionizing political system with the help of technology by improving living standards and choosing wisely who will be in power to help lead a society under construction. Junger view “Today, as noted, we are in the process of creating new, more disciplined formations, which, as we will soon see, extend far beyond the more limited sphere of politics” (pg 29). Junger speaks about ways of creating new discipline development from a political point of view as a whole not as individuals.

"The Junius Pamphlet"

Quote

"The International represents all the moral force of the world! And if the tragic hour strikes and we must give ourselves up to it, the consciousness of this will support and strengthen us. We do not merely say “no” but from the depth of our hearts we declare ourselves ready to sacrifice everything."

        This message lectures about the unity of all the countries and nationalities regardless of their differences that may split them apart. These nations may put those differences apart and come together in a time of need for world peace.  It also talks about that we may have to disregard our moral values and proceed with violence when the situation arises in order to bring peace to the rest of the world.   

        I chose this passage because I feel that our society is experiencing and living this quote at the present moment. Every day we watch the news and all we hear is we want peace for the world, but when certain nations demands justice the world comes together to help those nations in need regardless of what we have to sacrifice as a nation.

Mid-term

2) Discuss the relationship between nihilism and changing attitudes on sexuality. In what ways did traditional values place prohibitions on sexuality? Why did these prohibitions lose their power after the first World War? Using The Blue Angel and Dream Story as a reference discuss the new attitudes towards sexuality that developed during the 1920s and early 1930s

The nihilism era evolved during one of the most difficult time in the history of the world. After WWI traditional values began to lose their power and more corruption over took these nations without society realizing what was about to take place. Attitudes towards sexuality completely changed in where traditional values were no longer followed leading to irrational behavior.  New changes began to overpower the government which eventually led to social destruction and violence. Many began to explore on their sexuality and sexual desires that eventually lead to the lost of moral values.

                 The striking nihilism era, changed the lives of many which led self and social destruction. Before this era sexuality was viewed as a private matter between two individuals which was conducted in the privacy of their home. During the nihilism era people began to lose their moral values as well as the concept of a monogamous relationship. Open ideas about sexuality began to develop and were reflected on their obvious behavior of the many men and women of the era. Throughout the era sexual attitudes changed and the women became promiscuous while the men explored outside their comfort zone and into other boundaries.

                Throughout the era many traditional values prohibited most of these behaviors publicly and condoned those that acted upon on them. Many of these individuals were outcaste from their social groups and began to live their lives without any moral values. Traditional values were enforced by promoting the moral values of marriage and family as well as religion.

                Many of social etiquettes and laws were lost and held absolute no value after World War I. Many became very upset with the inhumanities and brutal behaviors that were inflicted on innocent people. Since the government lost control of their people, society began to lose hope on the system which led to the destruction of their nation. As society began to realize that no positive changes were being enforced, they decided to disregard family and moral values and began living destruction live. By disregarding all values, these prohibitions began to lose the capabilities of keeping society in order.

                In the 1920’s and early 1930’s a new attitude towards sexually was continuously growing having many thinking outside the box. These new behaviors can be recognized in the book “Dream” in where a new outlook on sexuality was beginning to develop and take over the minds of those who were curious. Many individuals, including the upper class elite began to frequent these illegal establishments in order to fulfill their inner desire of curiosity. During this time a new era evolved in where many began to think about sexuality and began exploring outside their comfort zone.  People began to lose self respect, moral values and began searching for inner satisfaction of sex leading to social and self destruction. This type of behavior can also be depicted on the film “The Blue Angel” in where it was more common to see these locations that induced people to act in a shameful way.  The new outlook towards sexuality can be interpret in Prof Roth behavior as he began to think outside the box and began to frequent the saloon where Lola was the main attraction. By this time these women were wearing less clothing attracting the average men to frequent these places and losing their moral values.  This new behavior and lust for Lola led to his personal and professional destruction.                

In conclusion it is to say that the nihilism era was by far one of the most destructive time of the early 20^th century. As the world was evolving a new era was destroying many years of hope, respect, and social beliefs. This destruction pulled apart many government and societies which led to inhumane acts and self destruction.  

4) Explain the statement, "boredom is nothing other than the dissolution of pain in time", (Jünger p. 13) and its relationship to nihilism

Thru evolution, the human race has learned how to cope with different levels of disappointments as well as emotional conflict. These types of feelings lead to frustration, pain and irrational actions. This emotional and at many times physical experience does not discriminate against social or economic status. The statement “Boredom is nothing other than the dissolution of pain in time” (junger pg.13) is related to nihilism in where it reflects a period in time where hope and moral values were lost as well as the desire to live and appreciate life. This statement can also be related to how pain was perceived during the nihilism era as well the emphasis on how pain is part of the human nature.

                This particular statement reflects pain and deception of moral values that were encountered during the nihilism era. During this era the pain was conveyed thru the many atrocities that took place in the beginning of the 20^th century. These atrocities lead to the lost of moral values and self respect among individuals, society, and their government. As time took its course in life, many decided to ignore the events that was destroying their society and eventually became part of the immorality adding more dissolution to life. Since these values were tarnished, society became numb to pain not just physically, mentally but also emotionally. The abuse proceeded to the taking lives of many innocent people which lead to World War II.

                During Nihilism time, pain was perceived and handled in a very irrational way. Many were not able to cope with all the inhumane acts and eventually the citizens of these nations became accustomed to pain causing a chaotic environment. As time went on people became disgusted with their surrounding and their government and decided to revolt and began committing these delirious acts that supported the Nihilism Era. Many of these people began underground organization and changed their lives leading to unpractical behaviors.

                As we know, pain is part of the human nature and as we have evolved from generation to generation people have found ways to disregard pain. During nihilism era, many were involved with human atrocities that lead to the loss of faith and self value. Their environment became a monotony as one disaster unfolded after another. Many began founding underground groups to escape their living conditions as well as their government rules. Many of these groups were constituted in illegal behavior while promoting sexuality outside marriage and prostitution. This is related to nihilism in where people did not care about themselves, society and their moral values, leading to a destruction of a different generation.

                In conclusion the statement depicts how during this era nothing constructive or positive was going to change the events that were destroying these nations. Only time was going to allow the changes take place. During this destructive era many lost their lives, hope, and the ability to change not only their behavior but also their surroundings. 

" On Pain "

“Pain is one of the keys to unlock man’s innermost being as well as the world.”

The way I understand and interpret this passage is that by experiencing pain, a person can learn about their inner self and their surrounding which can be lead to suffering and at times deception of life. The person you become today is the total outcome of the accumulation of experiences, pain, and suffering. After experiencing pain a person can become a stronger individual emotionally, smarter and wiser when making personal decisions. This passage can be related to Prof. Roth in “The Blue Angel” in where Prof Roth experienced pain when he found out that his beloved wife was being seduced by other men. After experiencing the pain of witnessing his wife’s behavior, it leashed out his innermost feelings of pain and anger towards her and the situation. This can also be related to Siddhartha as he experienced pain and deception of life and his believes which lead him to follow his inner most feeling of going towards the river to find peace and tranquility.  I chose this passage because I can connect with the message. I have learned about myself thru pain and learned to understand others and my surroundings. I have realized that thru pain I have gained self confidence, knowledge, and the ability to solve problems that were out of my reach. 

"Dream Story"

A soft voice suddenly whispered from behind: “Don’t turn around. There’s still a chance for you to get away. You don’t belong here. If it’s discovered it will go hard with you”

This quote states that it was obvious that he was an outsider of the cult and completely clueless of the activities that were about to take place while also describing the danger that Fridolin was about to face. Even after he was warned about the danger of his uninvited visit, he stood still and became more intrigued of this underground world and careless of the consequences that were about to develop.

The reason I chose this passage is because it shows how one can put everything on the line for a minute of thrill and excitement. Once one become enchanted with the dark secrets of a cult or society we lose the concept of life not caring about anything leading to deception and self destruction. It is within our nature as humans become intrigued with the unforbidden, the dark side of life, to play the game of life and death regardless of the consequences of the choices made. 

"The Blue Angel"

1.      Using the two films identify three major themes that you can find through both films:

In comparing both films one can observe the similarity of the themes that during the nihilism time is common in films. Both films present self destruction of an individual, infatuation with the forbidden world, and well as living a double life.

2.      Explain how the films develop these themes and what do they mean.

One of the themes that the films display is self destruction of an individual without any regards to the consequences of their own action. The films developed these themes by demonstrating how two professional individuals with very distinct careers; choose a path of complete opposite to their profession, by following their inner and dark instinct to fulfill their desires. These behaviors are developed while acting upon irrational impulses, driving the characters to a delusional state of mind and behaviors that are self destructive. This means that during this era professional individuals were not allowed to openly engage in these activities or gathering that involved the darker world.

Another theme is the infatuation with the forbidden world as well as the women in the stories. Even though these characters knew the consequences of self destruction, their obsession and drive for the darker world became more intense, causing them to lose their mental sanity. These particular themes are depicted when both male characters become infatuated with the women in the films, whether it was for love or diabolical thoughts. In the film “Dr. Caligari” the main character becomes obsesses with hurting the lady for inner satisfaction without any regards to authorities. While in “The Blue Angel” he has also become infatuated with the women but decides to make her his wife ignoring the consequences due to her choice of lifestyle.

The last theme presented in the films is the double life these characters were living. These two professional individuals were self determine to fulfill their curiosities while continuing to inquire about these underground worlds. So much were these inquiries that lead to the obsession, and self destruction that eventually took over their identities. In the “Dr.Caligari” film, this is revealed that, while the doctor was administrating the mental hospital he was also working in the town carnival in search for his new victims. In the film “The Blue Angel” the Professor while in search for his students, had become more intrigue with the cabaret lady leading to frequent visits that eventually lead to losing his job. What this means humans inner obsession has the power to overtake the rational thinking of anyone regardless of their social status.

3.      How do these themes relate to the theme of nihilism we have been discussing? Examples of themes could be ‘love’ or ‘madness’.

These themes are related to nihilism in a sense of madness. This is presented in their behaviors, their actions, while not caring about themselves, what society thinks, as well as losing their moral values. This is presented as they continue elaborate and feeding their inner desires of the dark world with inmoral behaviors and thoughts leading to self destruction.

quiz #1

1.      What is nihilism? Is it correct to say it is the belief in nothing?

Nihilism is the terminology used to describe an era of deception, of no moral value, where one loses the meaning of life, carelessness from society and its government. It is correct to say that Nihilism is the belief in nothing positive but from a political point of view. This term was born during a difficult time in the Russia and most European nations and was used as a terminology to describe the atrocities taking place during that time.

2. What are the differences between Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian values according to Nietzsche? Which values does he believe are better for living a full and healthy life and why?

3. Why is Dada art so pessimistic and bizarre? What groups in Germany society where Dada artists trying to discredit and undermine?

Dada art was a tool of expression of many who survived the wars in the European nations. This was the crude reality of what was taking place during this time and they wanted to show it to the rest of the world. They used this tool to create a movement by showing the rest of the world what they had encounter during the World War I. Thru their art they were able to capture the attention of many who were refusing to acknowledge the cruel reality of what men at war were capable of doing to mankind. Dada artist were targeting the elite of their society, the rich, the middle class, the government who decided turn their faces and failed to see the reality of the atrocities that was taking place during that time.

4. How many jobs does Dr. Caligari have in the film?

Dr. Caligari has a few jobs, he own and operated a concession at the local fair with the main attraction of a somnambulist. He is also a doctor the head of the mental institution (or Asylum) and specialized in somnambulism.

5. Why does Siddhartha leave his father?

Siddhartha felt that he had learned everything he needed from his father and he felt it was time to move on and begin a new journey.  That in order to reach a certain level of spiritual enlightmen he must move on in order to find himself, his soul, his calling to become a samana.

6. How does Cesare "die" in the film?

According to the film Cesare fell off an edge while he was trying to escape the authorities after trying to kidnap Jane, and later was found dead in the ravine. But at the end of the film he was at the mental institution with Francis and Jane.

7. Why is the river so important to Siddharta at the end of the novel?

The river is very important to Siddharta because it is the place where he ended his journey, his long time spiritual search and many years of questions, doubts, and deception came to an end there at the river. After he settled at the river and time took its course everything had become clear, and after his settlement at the river in where he found himself spiritually, the man who always had thirst for knowledge had found his answers to his questions right there in the river. The river was the destination where he became the holy one and reached the highest spiritual level any Samana can ever reach.

siddhartha

       1. Siddhartha began to speak and said: " What now, oh Govinda, might we be on the right path? Might we get closer to enlightenment? Might we get closer to salvation? Or do we perhaps live in a circle- we, who have thought we were escaping the cycle?"
        Quoth Govinda: " We have learned a lot, Siddhartha, there is still much to learn. We are not going around in circles, we are moving up, the circle is a spiral, we have already ascended many level."
         Siddhartha answered: "How old, would you think, is our oldest Samana, our venerable teacher?"
          Quoth Govinda: "Our oldest one might be about sixty years of age."
And Siddhartha: "He has lived for sixty years and has not reached the nirvana. He'll turn seventy and eighty, and you and me, we will grow just as old and will do our exercises, and will fast, and will meditate. But we will not reach the nirvana, he won't and we won't. Oh Govinda, I believe out of all the Samana out there, perhaps not a single one, not a single one, will reach the nirvana. we find comfort, we find numbness, we learn feats, to deceive others. But most important thing, the path of paths, we will not find."
          2. The way I interpret this passage is that once one reaches a certain level of personal or spiritual  fulfillment what is the next step? why do we keep being part of the cycle that does not allow one to move forward and allow it to drain one ideas, hopes and possibilities life may offer. Siddhartha felt he already surpassed all the levels a Samana had to endured in order to reach a spiritual level and realized that it was time to move on. As time went by he started to analyze and questioned what was going on, how much longer to reach nirvana? He concluded that one may never reach nirvana, the level of holiness, and that no one probably never will and it was time to move forward and venture out to other venues.
           3. I personally chose this passage because I too feel the same way about certain aspects of my life. after one reaches a certain level of knowledge and personal goals, one quickly start venturing out and question: what else life has to offer? and begin searching for new challenges leading to a new beginning and journey.

George Grosz was born on July 26, 1893 to a lower middle class family in Poland. After losing his father at a young age, it forced his mother to find work and with a little influence from a relative, young George found his interest in art. He shortly began weekly classes with a local painter named Grot who inspired him to continue his creativity and to transcribe them in his art. George escaped his brutal reality thru his paintings aiming towards modern adventures while focusing on assassinations man hunts, and executions taking place around him.

At a young age he volunteered to fight WW I and joined the German army but was later discharged and was labeled as an unfit person to serve in the war. Soon after the dismissed, his artistic ideas completely changed and now were more brutal and graphics, expressing his own experience not just in the battlefield but also in the society he was living.  These artistic expressions caused mayhem in his society and before WW II began he immigrated to the United States in search of new ideas. He landed in New York and became the art professor at the Art Student League and later lost his interest in political caricature expression and began aiming at the New York landscape of nature.  In 1959 George returned to Berlin in where he later died.

The first piece I will talk about is a water color base painting called the “Daum marries her pedantic automaton” made in 1920 with the figure of a man and a woman exposing her herself in a degrading way. The caricature of the man describes the man as a robot or mechanical creature implying how the military or Nazi men of that era were manipulated and brain wash to think and behave a certain way. The art also depicts a drawing of a woman half exposed with a fear expression on her face not knowing what was going to happen next. The woman is presented as an entertainment tool for these particular men. There is also a hand foundling the woman breast in a disgusting way without her knowledge insinuating that he was next in turn. On the background of the painting there is a picture of a real woman looking away as if she was ignoring the abuse that was taking place.

The second painting is oil on canvas painting called “A Winter’s Tale” made in 1917/1919 and is a collage of all the evil and negative incidents that were taking place in Germany while depicting how corrupted the country was. This drawing shows a man in the center of chaos with a worry free look on his face and waiting for his meal to be served. While in the background there is illustrations of abuse the German society were enduring during this particular time. This drawing screams out that only those who were in power were the only ones benefiting from the tragedies. While the country was sinking with debt, poverty, hunger, slavery, prostitution, and execution, only those with governmental power were safe. The three men in the center of the drawing represented how religion, the government and the rich were all part of the destruction of German society.

This last one is an oil on canvas 1921 painting called “Grey Day” and it shows a few men walking with their heads down appearing to be ill and very tired from the abuse that is set up on them. They are walking on the industrial side of the painting dealing with abuse, torture, and death waiting in the background, while another man very well dressed appearing in better health, shows to be aware of the situation but decided to continue his journey. These drawings show a very sad era in the German history and the beginning of world destruction.