How does Dick’s essay (1999; 1964) illuminate his use of Nazism as a motif in High Castle?
In the High Castle essay, Dick raises many questions in the subject of Nazism and explains how one could be sucked into such incredible naivety. Dick points out “ We know what they did, we know what their stated ideologies were... but we do not actually know why, in the deepest sense they – i.e, the Nazis – did it. Truly.” Dick, pg.112. Dick dives deeper into the reality of Nazis and Jews in America, He talks about how his Nazi friend freezes at the thought of entering an apartment that a Jewish person owns, and when Dick asks his Jewish friend why this might be, even she doesn’t know, Dick explains it to be “sub rational, it is psychological, not logical.” Dick, pg.113.
Later on in the essay Dick talks about the influence Hitler had on the German people and how many of them highly didn’t approve of what was happening at the time. The Nazis referred to these people as “racial policies” and these people were also killed. I think Dick gives some great example of these radical Germans, he talks about how they tried to help them by giving them bread through the holes in the walls. But then Dick goes on to mention that “Yet, the German people, or a good part of them, better than half, voted, legally voted, Hitler into power, and knowing his racial views.” Dick, pg.114.
The essay discusses the fact that history is now alternately repeating itself, he talks about how “The Zionists drove one million Arabs out of Israel.” Basically Dick uses Nazism as a motif in high castle as this is a “recurring element in a story that has symbolic significance.” But in the end who are we to judge and comment on these things when it is still happening even now, and I think it will continue to do so, in saying that I agree with Dick point of view, “We can no longer hold a people responsible then we can hold a mythical, semantic, nonactual entity responsible.” Dick, pg. 116.
Dick, P.K. (1995). Nazism and the High Castle. In Sutin, L. (Ed.), The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick (pp.112-117). New York: Vintage.
Yeah the reason why people voted Hitler into power was because of he by then is the one leader that care about the citizens of the country. However, I was wondering if that's originally his plan of manipulation as in the time he was still hold the power, strict policies are made that the fear would embedded in the mind of the Nazi German individual. In addition, I remember Dick asked his Nazi friend also and unfortunately he wasn't sure himself either.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think the reason he use Nazi as a motif in 'The man in the high castle' was of his other saying: "We fear them because we found that we're so alike". And the fact that we don't understand why did Nazi done that is still in question. Don't you think so?
Some interesting points made Teu -and good use of the theoretical text - but I think it's important from a critical literary perspective that you examine the points you raise in the context of the primary text (tMitHC). Simon's second prargraph comment is quite relevant and could refer directly to the final chapter of the novel. Don't forget to put your references , inc. page numbers, in parenthesis - just academic conventions.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading "the man in the high castle", i do think this a very bold assumption. One thing for sure, this assumption is successful and attractive work. for me, i am particularly interested in the clue of the work which is 'Yiching'. In thousands years, no one can fully comprehend this China's ancient heritage. So this story is full of mysterious and elusive feeling. In this essay, there is very persuasive, when reader fall in deeply with the work, might feel everything were real.
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