The Berlin Journal by Robert Darnton provides an account on the reunification of East and West Berlin. Throughout the journal, Darnton reveals how confronting the past is an important step in moving forward. Darnton also examines the different meanings the Berlin Wall symbolized for East and West Berliners. Finally, the effects of reunification on the economic system were a concern among East Berliners as they did not want to let go of socialism. The three major themes in Darnton’s Berlin Journal included confrontations of the past, symbolism of the wall, and the impact of the economy. Confronting the past is a reoccurring theme in Darnton’s journal. For example, in part 1 Darnton recalls a New York Times Magazine article that was written
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For example, in the introduction Darnton explains that when the wall “fell” down and East Germans traveled to the West, the mental geography imposed by the wall to exhibit order was changed. With the ability to travel west albeit by a misunderstanding, the barrier ceased to exist at least metaphorically. In addition, part 2 revealed that for the East Germans the wall, which is undamaged from graffiti, was a protective barrier from the West. One of Darnton’s East Berlin friend explained that the wall should stay up and be permeable, because taking it away completely would lead to chaos. As it turned out, many East Berliners who traveled west came back, because they were adapted to a socialist system. Part 4 revealed how the East Germans wanted to keep their identity and feared it would be lost with reunification. On the other hand, seen from the West Berliner’s point of view in part 2, the wall was more like a prison wall that trapped the Easterners. The wall was covered with graffiti, barbed wire, and watch towers that killed anyone who tried to escape the East. However, West Berliners simply forgot about the wall over time and according to Darnton, only paid attention to it after it fell. When the wall fell, the Westerner’s felt that the Easterners were now freed from their oppression and welcomed them to their side over the wall to liberty. Despite the different meanings the wall meant …show more content…
For instance, Darnton describes the meeting between East and West Germany in regards to finding a third way between capitalism and socialism. East Germany did not want to abandon their socialist based economy for capitalism and hoped to found a middle ground. However, these meetings argued that mixed systems would not work and East Germany would have to adapt to a capitalist market economy if they were going to be unified. In addition, part 4 discussed the free elections that were held in East Germany for the first time in 40 years. During the campaign for these elections, some East German candidates expressed their views that reunification with West Germany will mean high prices for consumer goods, high rent, and high unemployment. Meanwhile, Helmut Khol, chancellor of West Germany, insisted that immediate unification would lead East Germany to enjoy the same prosperity experienced in the West. Despite promises of prosperity and equal currency exchange, Easterners still worried about finding a well paying job in the first place and being able to afford the overpriced West German goods. However, when it came to the electrons, the old communist system was thrown out in favor of reunification, even if it meant accepting capitalism. Darnton’s Berlin Journal provided a firsthand account of the reunification of Germany. Darnton describes how confronting the past helped East Germany
For example, in the introduction Darnton explains that when the wall “fell” down and East Germans traveled to the West, the mental geography imposed by the wall to exhibit order was changed. With the ability to travel west albeit by a misunderstanding, the barrier ceased to exist at least metaphorically. In addition, part 2 revealed that for the East Germans the wall, which is undamaged from graffiti, was a protective barrier from the West. One of Darnton’s East Berlin friend explained that the wall should stay up and be permeable, because taking it away completely would lead to chaos. As it turned out, many East Berliners who traveled west came back, because they were adapted to a socialist system. Part 4 revealed how the East Germans wanted to keep their identity and feared it would be lost with reunification. On the other hand, seen from the West Berliner’s point of view in part 2, the wall was more like a prison wall that trapped the Easterners. The wall was covered with graffiti, barbed wire, and watch towers that killed anyone who tried to escape the East. However, West Berliners simply forgot about the wall over time and according to Darnton, only paid attention to it after it fell. When the wall fell, the Westerner’s felt that the Easterners were now freed from their oppression and welcomed them to their side over the wall to liberty. Despite the different meanings the wall meant …show more content…
For instance, Darnton describes the meeting between East and West Germany in regards to finding a third way between capitalism and socialism. East Germany did not want to abandon their socialist based economy for capitalism and hoped to found a middle ground. However, these meetings argued that mixed systems would not work and East Germany would have to adapt to a capitalist market economy if they were going to be unified. In addition, part 4 discussed the free elections that were held in East Germany for the first time in 40 years. During the campaign for these elections, some East German candidates expressed their views that reunification with West Germany will mean high prices for consumer goods, high rent, and high unemployment. Meanwhile, Helmut Khol, chancellor of West Germany, insisted that immediate unification would lead East Germany to enjoy the same prosperity experienced in the West. Despite promises of prosperity and equal currency exchange, Easterners still worried about finding a well paying job in the first place and being able to afford the overpriced West German goods. However, when it came to the electrons, the old communist system was thrown out in favor of reunification, even if it meant accepting capitalism. Darnton’s Berlin Journal provided a firsthand account of the reunification of Germany. Darnton describes how confronting the past helped East Germany