The Motif Of Responsibility In Michael Berg's The Reader

Responsibility is a personal obligation and accountability, self-imposed or otherwise. In The Reader by Bernard Schlink, the motif of responsibility is presented in Michael Berg’s narration, applying differently as time progresses. Michael’s naive infatuation with Hanna as a young boy, the guilt as an adult he feels for loving her, and him coming to terms with their relationship later in life displays the evolution of the motif of responsibility in the greater context of Michael’s generation as they age in post-war Germany. As a teenager, Michael is infatuated with Hanna. The power imbalance between Michael and Hanna, caused by age and experience, creates an unhealthy dynamic that puts Michael in a state of submission. He takes all responsibility …show more content…
The primary conflict presented is of Michael’s generation’s responsibility to condemn the previous generation for their actions and lack thereof contributing to the tragedies of World War II, while being faced with the challenge that those on trial may be their loved ones. They are presented with the knowledge of the inhumane acts committed under the Third Reich against the Jews, thus having a responsibility to act. Despite his increased knowledge, Michael still cannot condemn Hanna, concluding that “Hanna had not decided in favor of a crime” (133) using her illiteracy as an excuse, which is an entirely invalid defense. He does not expose her secret, not of his own conclusion, but after consulting with his father. Contrasting with Part One in which Michael takes full responsibility for his relationship with Hanna, here he is running away from the responsibility his generation feels to atone for World War II despite their uninvolvement through the punishment of those who were responsible. Michael insists that it is impossible to both understand her actions and condemn them. As it is possible to understand someone’s reasoning but also disagreeing with it, for example, understanding that Hanna takes the position as the guard to hide her illiteracy, the implications of that are that understanding is …show more content…
The Reader does not focus on the historical victims of the Holocaust, as it was pointed out that the only two Jewish characters have minor roles and remain nameless. Instead, the novel attempts to stimulate discussion regarding collective responsibility and actions that must be taken in any situation, but particularly after a tragedy on such a massive scale such as World War II, in which it seems an entire country must be held accountable. More important than the responsibility to condemn the perpetrators though, is the responsibility to never try to erase that past, but not being trapped by it either, like how Michael eventually immortalizes his relationship with Hanna, yet moving on at the same time. The overarching motif of responsibility is summarized in the theme that one has a responsibility to recognise the mistakes of the past, but not being haunted by them, instead moving forwards with that knowledge as not a burden, but as a way of