The Tin Drum Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Tin Drum - Term Paper ExampleThis acquaints Alfred a national socialist character, but it in addition shows that he is weak, under the influence of his wife, and not an absolutely fanatical Nazi. Hitler and Beethoven represent the cultural tensions in the family which in turn result in the young Oskars somewhat confused understanding of the reason struggles that are going on. Oskar describes Alfreds fondness for the visual image that the Nazi uniform presents, but the commentary also shows how uncomfortable it was to wear, since the strap of the cap scraped his chin (p. 116) and he had to get wet in the precipitate because he refused to use an umbrella. (p. 116) Alfred goes out to Sunday demonstrations but apart from that, there is very little swop in his activities, since he still cooks, and washes up in the home as he did before. Section b. As far as we burn down tell from Oskars rather biased narrative, Alfred did not really stool much of a career as a Nazi Party membe r. Oskar describes his motivation for joining the companionship as a natural tendency to conform to his surroundings he always had to wave when other people were waving, to shout, laugh and clap when other people were shouting, laughing and clapping. (p. 152) His membership is described as sooner unnecessary, brought no benefits, and just wasted his Sunday mornings (p. 152) and so it is obvious that Oskar trivializes and mocks Alfreds status there. Even when Oskar mentions Alfreds promotion, he does it in an off-hand manner Like all unusual happenings, his promotion was the occasion for a family skat game. (p. 115) This is echoed later in connection with a drinking session when Alfred is grieving over the death of Agnes beneath the portrait of the Fuhrer the teetotaling Fuhrer was silent, because Matzerath, a drunken little unit leader, was unworthy of Providence (p. 185). These disparaging comments show that Matzerath filled a very low rank and was of very little importance in the Nazi regime. Section c. The Nazi rally on a summer day in 1935 was a be after set piece which was intended to whip up support from the faithful. The way that Oskar describes it, however, subverts the intentions of the stage and the rows of flag behavior people. It is set up so that people go to a rostrum to look up in awe at the spectacle before them. Everything is regimented in straight lines, and yet the advice of Mr Bebra urges Oscar to be aware of the transcendental mechanisms of power that operates during these rallies Always take care to be sitting on the rostrum and never to be standing out in front of it. (p. 114) Oskar views the rostrum from behind it, which shows the mechanisms which orchestrate the event, or from underneath, where he can disrupt it without being seen. Dramatic displays equal torchlight processions and parades past rostrums (p. 115) may look impressive from the perspective of a spectator, but the depiction in The Tin Drum suggests that the whole th ing is a sham, and that it is better either to be fully in favour of it, and on the rostrum, or to utterly oppose it. Going with the flow, like Matzerath, is seen to be the worst option. Section d. There is a lot of symbolism in Oskars name of the death of Alfred Matzerath. Clearly the party membership pin that