Schindler's+List+-+Character+Contrast



**__Oskar Schindler & Amon Goeth__** An important contrast between characters in the film is Oskar Schindler and Amon Goeth.


 * Oskar Schindler ** - Is the protagonist and eventual savior of approximately 1, 100 Jews. The film follows Schindler’s progression from a callous, greedy war profiteer to a man willing to sacrifice his fortune to save the lives of his Jewish factory workers. Schindler is a womanizer and con artist who never hesitates to do something outside the law, such as placing bribes, to get what he wants. His metamorphosis into a hero is slow in coming. Initially, he is indifferent to the plight of the Jews and has little concern for the moral issues at stake. However, he develops compassion for the Jews and begins to see his factory workers as humans deserving of life. His compassion ultimately compels him to save them at great personal risk. Schindler’s motives are never directly stated in the film, and the real-life Schindler never offered an explanation.


 * Amon Goeth ** - Is the Nazi soldier in charge of building of Plaszów work camp. Goeth is a cruel, sadistic man deeply entrenched in Nazi philosophy. Goeth exhibits a true hatred for the Jews, at times shooting them randomly from his balcony high above the labor camp. He and Schindler share many common traits, such as greed and callous self-centeredness, but Goeth gives himself totally to evil and hatred. He is also deeply conflicted, torn between feelings of attraction and disgust for his Jewish maid. Goeth represents the all-consuming hatred of the Nazi Party.

__**How is this contrast shown?**__ The contrast between Schindler and Amon is best shown through their actions and dialogue. Amon's particularly brutal nature and opinion of the Jewish race is shown in his numerous discussions with Schindler. Schindler on the otherhand listens to his views but does not share his naked hatred of the Jewish race. For Schindler, at least initially his focus is on profit - he has no animosity towards Jewish people as a race. A particular scene which demonstrates the contast is shot in the Plazow concentration camp. Parallel editing is used to show three contrasting scenes - A Jewish wedding, Schindler's birthday and kissing of a Jewish girl, Amon's beating of Helen. The contrast is evident here between Schindler's affection for his workers and Amon's pure hatred and violent abuse.

__**Techniques which show character contrast:**__
 * Dialogue
 * Parallel Editing
 * Character Actions

 