The Pianist

Compare the goality of the moral acts of the ff. as “moral agents”:

Wladek
Wladek’s actions in the earlier half of the movie proved to be inclined to conformity to the sudden shift in paradigm. He, despite many assaults against him and his kind, was resilient and strived to be peaceful in his endeavors. I believe his actions are aimed towards the hope that better times would come in the future and roughing it out at the present would be the best alternative to take. Later on, after the death of his family, Wladek’s actions proved to be more on personal survival. The gradual courage in finding means to avoid the inhumane offenses made by many German soldiers.

Jewish Chief
The Jewish Chief perhaps could be considered as the handful of Jews who believed that close relations or upholding the goals of the German soldiers would in some manner spare them the treachery that their other fellowmen would have to endure. Their actions may be leaning towards personal survival as well, by willingly dismissing their own personal beliefs in order to continue living without the difficulty others may have to experience. This is the more cowardly choice and in fact, more dishonorable, since one is willing to compromise one’s morality and convictions, not to mention the lives of your fellowmen (who stays firm with their own beliefs), for one’s own benefit.

German Soldiers
I cannot speak much about the stand of German soldiers, or much more what has been promised to them for their acts. In my opinion, the goal of the Germans may seem noble for their kin for they believe they are the superior race above every other, and that by removing other kinds, they may preserve further the sanctity of their kind. Although it may seem self-righteous, their actions towards the Jews were acts of severe inhumanity that such a claim of superiority could easily be questioned. Their goal, in conformity to the belief that they are of a higher status, cannot be justified - that they find pleasure in the persecution of lower classes, not to mention did they find their insensitivity to the value of life and utter disrespect towards others rights, bearable and tolerable.

What do you think is the “reason” for Wladek’s desire to move on in life?
In my opinion, it is innate for man to strive to live; Wladek has a reason why he believes he must survive and thus strives to do so. He still bears the will to continue his existence and thus finds means in order to do so. By giving up on life, it would seem that he has admitted his defeat – he would have not only let himself down, he would also have let his beliefs die with it. By giving up, it would reflect his total indifference to the massacre of the Germans because he has submitted to its demands by surrendering his greatest treasure – his life.

What is the moral purpose did the Germans serve in occupying Poland? What consequence did it create?
As I’ve mentioned earlier, the German’s occupation of Poland was directed mainly by their desire to cleanse the world of the inferior races – which in their opinion are the Jews. Their intention may seem moral in their subjective perspective, and thus allows them to be callous to the sufferings endured by the Jews. Their moral purpose may seem to be decent and righteous, in aiding the world to be populated by superhumans (which in their opinion are the Germans), and thus would uplift all of humanity. Unfortunately, the theory itself is laden with loopholes and their means in executing such an intention was brutal and inconsiderate. Their actions later magnified into mass killing without any mercy and thus decades after their occupation, it can be said that the Polish Jews are still of a weak and small population and are still in the process of recuperating from the intense cruelty they experienced in the hands of the Germans.


Was there any difference between German brutality and sheer indifference? Was Wladek indifferent?
There is a very minimal difference between brutality and indifference. Both acts are mere acts of indifference, except one exhibits action while the other exhibits voluntary ignorance. Indifference could be considered as lack of interest, not to mention apathy to the concerns and pains of one’s fellowmen – which in my opinion, was not exhibited by the acclaimed pianist. Wladek, in my opinion, was not indifferent, although at times he may fall into doubt to the success of his post, he cannot be labeled as indifferent since he did try his best to survive and strived hard to survive, which is by itself, one way of rebelling against the wishes of the German’s. His actions, though not of significant magnitude proves still that there is hope even in the bleakest of moments.