Forgiveness In The Sunflower By Simon Wiesenthal

It is a societal expectation to forgive others. Usually with the exception of truly heinous crimes, sincere compassion is expected. In Simon Wiesenthal’s book, The Sunflower, he displays the opposite of this norm. He describes his situation: him, a prisoner of the Nazi concentration camps, being asked pardon from a dying SS man as his dying wish in a makeshift hospital. After the SS man, much later revealed to be named Karl, has finished his gruesome account of his sins, Simon is left with the decision of whether to grant him his wish; he instead leaves the man with no answer. Though initially not feeling particularly ashamed for his lack of response, as the evening wears on, he starts to question himself. The next day he returns to the hospital and is presented with the man’s belongings. Feeling troubled, Simon returns and at the end asks the reader what they would have done. Many different responses are shown in the symposium. Several different viewpoints are showcased. His non-fiction piece as well as the included reader responses in the symposium has brought about many questions about the topic of forgiveness. …show more content…
Technically, forgiveness is an individual or group absoluting the other person or group of whatever transgressions they committed. The act is simple enough, a few cordial words suffice and are enough to constitute as acceptance. This differs from total forgiveness which is much deeper than putting water under the bridge. First, the person who was hurt must want to extend mercy and be willing. True compassion entails completely starting fresh and not letting the wrongdoing impact the judgement of each other from both parties. Whatever previous tension caused must cease to exist as well as any prejudices. Only then does the individual have full absolution. It does not mean one should forget the act but to no longer let it impact