Assessment of Advice in Schlink's The Reader: A Detailed Analysis

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of the advice given by Michael Berg's father in Bernhard Schlink's novel, 'The Reader'. The essay explores the context of the advice within the backdrop of post-World War II Germany and the protagonist's relationship with Hanna Schmidt. It examines the complexities of the advice, its impact on Michael's moral conflict concerning Hanna's secret illiteracy and potential imprisonment. The essay evaluates the advice's effectiveness in resolving Michael's dilemma, highlighting the father's insights into morality, ethics, and philosophical ideologies. Furthermore, the analysis considers the advice in two parts, discussing how the second part provides clarity regarding Michael's course of action and the importance of Hanna's autonomy in her own decisions. The conclusion emphasizes the advice's role in alleviating Michael's guilt and guiding his decision-making process, ultimately contributing to his resolution of the conflict.

Running head: ASSESMENT OF SCHLINK’S THE READER
Assessment of Schlink’s The Reader
Name of Student:
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Author note:

1Assessment of Schlink’s The Reader
The novel, The Reader was originally written in German by the author and law professor,
Bernhard Schlink in 1995 and it was translated in English and published in 1996. This explores
the various aspects related to the advice Michael Berg’s father Gave to him. The aim of the paper
is to explore how good was the advice, how it helped the protagonist in his conflict, the
ideologies that inform the advice. This essay will analyses the advice through various
perspectives and angles.
The novel, The Reader dates back to a time in the history that not many people are proud
of, the era of Nazi war and the crimes during the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler. The story is
narrated in flash backs by the protagonist, Michael Berg who narrates the tale of his life
experiences when he was just fifteen and got into a romantic relationship with a women almost
his mother’s age. He reflects on the time and the people during Hitler’s rule and expresses his
concern on the pretense of ignorance towards the genocide happening around them. The story
centers on the conflicts that Michael faces about revealing the truth of Hanna Schmidt and saving
her from lifelong imprisonment. Hanna Schmidt was a prison guard who would be sentenced to
lifelong imprisonment for her involvement in the death of many prisoners who remained locked
up to die during the attack. The other defendants accused her of writing the report but that was
not true because she could not write which Michael realized. She could have been saved from the
sentence had she just produced a sample of her handwriting which she refused to do because that
would reveal the secret of her illiteracy. So, she choose her secret over her lifetime imprisonment
and accepted the crime she did not even commit. However, Michael feels guilty having known
the truth all along and not helping her escape. He is in a dilemma whether to reveal the truth that
she has been hiding her entire life or to reveal it in order to save her.

2Assessment of Schlink’s The Reader
Since his father is a philosopher and has engages himself in moral issues, Micheal seeks
the advice of his father to solve his conflict. When he produces his problem in front of his father;
he answers by saying that; “With adults I see absolutely no justification for setting other people’s
views of what is good for them above their own ideas of what is good for themselves. Not even if
they themselves are happy about it later?” (Schlink, 1996). The advice is complex because it
confused him due to the mixture of concreteness and abstraction in it, but, later he realized the
truth behind his advice. The advice was a good, though not perfect, because it was complex for
Michael to comprehend and apply in his situation. The advice that it is not in his right to speak to
the judge provides him with some relief but he also realizes that it is not morally correct on his
part to not do anything for Hanna. His father further says; “Of course one must act if the
situation as you describe it is one of accrued or inherited responsibility. If one knows what is
good for another person who in turn is blind to it, then one must try to open his eyes. One has to
leave him the last word, but one must talk to him, to himself and not to someone else behind his
back.” (Schlink, 1996)
The advice takes place in two parts; the second part of the advice makes things clearer for
Michael that if he really has to do something, he has to talk to Hanna because it should be
ultimately her decision to take. The first part of the advice is not apt for Michael’s situation but
the second part of the advice is apt for his situation. His advice is concerned with the ideology of
morality in politics. The advice is good, although not perfect because of its complexity and also
because it does not solve his entire problem. The advices says that the decision of one’s life
should ultimately rest on their own hands rather than the hands of somebody else. If Michael
feels like Hanna is committing a mistake by not revealing her secret, then he must talk to her
because it should ultimately her life.

3Assessment of Schlink’s The Reader
It can be concluded from the above discussion that the advice Micheal’s father gives,
solves his conflict and removes his guilt. It helps him in making his decision and solving his
conflict regarding Hanna. The advice can be complex but is a good one since it removes his
dilemma. The advice also reveals that his father has an insight on issues that are concerned with
morals, ethics and philosophical ideologies.

4Assessment of Schlink’s The Reader
Reference:
schlink, b. (1996). the reader [Ebook].