Sophie Scholl and The White Rose is an encouraging account of how a non-violent group which was organized by University of Munich student resisted German rule to the Third Reich. The story is majorly about a philosophy professor and his five university students who launched a secret campaign to oppose the Third Reich. The group was named “The White Rose.” Sophie Scholl and his brother Hans together with the professor and other students showed courage when they stood up to fight for their freedom by exhorting Germans to fight for their rights. They were not bothered by the fact that they were risking their lives; they bravely opposed Adolf Hitler’s dictatorship ruling. In 1942, Sophie and other members of the group began to distribute anonymous leaflets which they used to urge the Germans to stand up and fight against fascism by resisting the government. The group swore not to be silent on how the government persecuted the Jews; they risked all they could to ensure that the entire world got the message. The book sets historical and sensational stage of how five young students dared their lives to resist one of the most horrifying and terrifying regimes in the world history. They were however later executed for being disloyal to the nation. Today, the world regards “The White Rose” group members as great icons of resistance. All the seven original leaflets and transcripts of their trial and sentencing are also included in the book. In addition, there are also photographs showing the members of “The White Rose.”
One of the major themes of the book is “life of courage” as depicted by the members of “The White Rose”. First and foremost, the five students were on their early twenties when they decided to form “The White Rose.” Many people feared to face leave alone resist the terrifying rule of Adolf Hitler. It only took a lot of courage for one to stand up and resist the government during the reign of Hitler who was a great dictator. He controlled everything in Germany ranging from the armed forces to news media, education, religion, communication and even the police. The Jews were considered by Hitler as non-citizens hence they were inhumanly treated. They were arrested, beaten and killed in the concentration camps which were set by Hitler (Newborn 110). All the suffering subjected by Hitler on the Jews made them to flee out of Germany. About 200,000 Jews managed to escape from Germany.
Jurgen, one of the group members depicted courage when he safely transported a heap of pamphlets to Berlin. This was a dangerous journey because the roads were full of military police and any civilian found on the road was arrested and taken to the concentration camps for defying the rules. This shows how the group was determined. They risked their lives to warn their fellow citizens whom they loved about Hitler’s brutal deeds of persecuting the Jews. They did all they could through their leaflets to encourage Germans to oppose Hitler’s oppressive and dictatorship regime. It only took a lot of courage to mount a campaign to oppose Third Reich because those who were caught were first oppressed and brutally treated before they were killed. This is what many people feared the most; to die a painful death and that is why they feared going against Hitler.
Sophie Scholl was the only woman among “The White Rose” group members. This brings out the extraordinary courage she possessed as a young woman to fight for her country. Sophie together with Hans and Christian Probst successfully printed and distributed anonymous pamphlets to denounce Nazis. Their courageous life helped in ending the war in Germany in 1943. Sophie also conveyed her psychological strength and fitness when she faced the interrogator in court after they were arrested with the brother after being found dropping pamphlets at the University (Newborn 115). Sophie and Han did not fear being inside the court despite her having broken her leg due to brutal treatment by the Nazi when they were arrested. They also showed courage when they defied the judge in court after knowing that they were going to be persecuted. Sophie challenged and convinced her interrogator who had 26years of work experience. She was questioned for five hours before a verdict was passed. The evidence against Sophie was accepting to have taken part in resistance through the group, she states: “Yes, I took part in this and I am proud of it (Newborn 190).”
Sophie Scholl and The White Rose is an encouraging book that adds value to World War literature. It depicts humanity in mankind especially those who stood up to fight and warn other people about the terrifying and horrible reign of Adolf Hitler. However, despite the strength of the book, one of the weaknesses of the book is that it did not fully include all the details of what happen during the period. For example some of the leaflets that were distributed by members of “The White Rose” were not published. This leaves the readers into suspense as the leaflets are the basic evidence of what happened during this period.
In conclusion, Sophie Scholl and The White Rose book depicts two kinds of humans; those who will stand up and fight for the rights of others and those who will not mind or care to inflict pain on other people because they are following orders. I can conclude with this question that was contained in the fourth leaflet: “as a Christian would you hesitate in hope that someone else will raise his arm in your defence?…For Hitler and his followers no punishment is commensurate with their crimes (Newborn 210).”
Work Cited
Newborn, Jud. Sophie Scholl and the White Rose. Oxford: One world Publications, 2006.