While he understands the position Hanna was placed in, he is also able to comprehend the heinous acts she committed and he therefore feels conflicted. Michael’s moral dilemma of whether to help Hanna from being convicted by exposing her illiteracy or to allow her to suffer in the prison for the crimes she commits comes from the second generation German guilt. I was able to see that some of the female nazis mentioned in The Reader could have potentially been in this case where they had to follow these rules or else grimm consequences would follow.Īlso, the group that presented on second generation German guilt helped me see the position of bystanders- particularly Michael’s. While they cannot be justified, the punishments given to these soldiers who were forced to abide to certain rules can be less extensive than those who volunteered to torture thousands of lives intentionally. These scenarios that certain soldiers were placed allows me to see that the actions that these female nazis committed are not completely unforgivable. They had to obey the harsh rules and had to be completely apathetic toward the prisoners, or would have been condemned as a prisoner themselves. Although these women may not have wanted to participate in these horrific acts, they had to due to the heinous consequences that would follow. While not all were forced, certain women were recruited involuntarily. There were three different ways in which female Nazis were recruited- one being forced. While I watched the group that presented on female nazis, I was able to learn numerous things about the situation that certain perpetrators are placed in. I was able to significantly comprehend the situation bystanders and perpetrators were placed in, and how that reflected in the characteristics of Hanna and Michael. Through the interactive oral presentations that were done, my understanding of the cultural elements of The Reader was heightened. Topic: An examination of Hanna’s ability to acquire moral restoration to overcome her moral illiteracy at the end of The Reader