Students can make a Difference in Their World and History
By Ekaterina Y.
Intense, heart wrenching, and inspiring: these are just a few words to describe this movie that will leave you cold after watching it. The story follows the last days of Sophie Scholl, one the most famous people in the resistance movement during World War II. Sophie Scholl, along with her brother and friends, were part of the German student resistance movement called the White Rose. Sophie wrote leaflets against the Nazi government and called for a free government in Germany; the White Rose then printed the leaflets, and distributed them. The movie focuses on Sophie Scholl and her brother, who were found placing leaflets around the Munich University, arrested, interrogated, and eventually executed. The movie is also based on unpublished transcripts from the interrogations with Sophie Scholl.
Throughout the movie, Sophie’s courage never wanes as she passes out the anti-Nazi leaflets in the university, undergoing intense interrogations, and her execution. Sophie’s courage is inspiring as she lies to protect her friends, placing all the blame on herself and her brother, since they were the two caught distributing the leaflets. These interrogations contain quick dialogue as Sophie defends herself and the interrogator tries to unearth more facts about the resistance movement. Even when the interrogator offers to keep her alive if she cooperates with the Nazis, Sophie stands strong holding her principles before her. The viewer sees what Sophie’s character is made of as she stands by the principles formed by her religion.
By Ekaterina Y.
Intense, heart wrenching, and inspiring: these are just a few words to describe this movie that will leave you cold after watching it. The story follows the last days of Sophie Scholl, one the most famous people in the resistance movement during World War II. Sophie Scholl, along with her brother and friends, were part of the German student resistance movement called the White Rose. Sophie wrote leaflets against the Nazi government and called for a free government in Germany; the White Rose then printed the leaflets, and distributed them. The movie focuses on Sophie Scholl and her brother, who were found placing leaflets around the Munich University, arrested, interrogated, and eventually executed. The movie is also based on unpublished transcripts from the interrogations with Sophie Scholl.
Throughout the movie, Sophie’s courage never wanes as she passes out the anti-Nazi leaflets in the university, undergoing intense interrogations, and her execution. Sophie’s courage is inspiring as she lies to protect her friends, placing all the blame on herself and her brother, since they were the two caught distributing the leaflets. These interrogations contain quick dialogue as Sophie defends herself and the interrogator tries to unearth more facts about the resistance movement. Even when the interrogator offers to keep her alive if she cooperates with the Nazis, Sophie stands strong holding her principles before her. The viewer sees what Sophie’s character is made of as she stands by the principles formed by her religion.
During the movie, we see Sophie looking up at the shining sun. This symbolically represents her belief that God and freedom will always be there and will overcome all evil. This knowledge is what helps Sophie during her struggle with her decisions and her fate as the movie progresses.
Sophie’s relationship with her brother is also very moving. We see their deep trust and love for each other as they distribute the leaflets, look back at each other when they are separated, and when they are together before they die. Even though Sophie Scholl is the main figure in this movie, her close relationship with her brother gives her as much strength as her relationship with her God.
The movie depicts Sophie Scholl as a character who struggles like every other human being knowing that they are going to face death. What is inspiring is how Sophie over comes her struggles to do what is right and good. This is what makes her a truly incredible person. I do not think Sophie could have faced death without her faith in God, which is seen as she says her heart felt prayers throughout the movie.
When Sophie died, her words continued to live on and inspire people. The final White Rose leaflet was smuggled out of Germany. Thousands of copies were made and dropped over Germany by the Allies’ planes. Sophie Scholl was only a student, but she was able to change her world and history. Students have the ability to change the world if they stand true to who they are. Sophie stayed true to her principles and message, which will always resound throughout history. Her message to the world is what her brother said before he was executed:
"Long live freedom!"
Sophie’s relationship with her brother is also very moving. We see their deep trust and love for each other as they distribute the leaflets, look back at each other when they are separated, and when they are together before they die. Even though Sophie Scholl is the main figure in this movie, her close relationship with her brother gives her as much strength as her relationship with her God.
The movie depicts Sophie Scholl as a character who struggles like every other human being knowing that they are going to face death. What is inspiring is how Sophie over comes her struggles to do what is right and good. This is what makes her a truly incredible person. I do not think Sophie could have faced death without her faith in God, which is seen as she says her heart felt prayers throughout the movie.
When Sophie died, her words continued to live on and inspire people. The final White Rose leaflet was smuggled out of Germany. Thousands of copies were made and dropped over Germany by the Allies’ planes. Sophie Scholl was only a student, but she was able to change her world and history. Students have the ability to change the world if they stand true to who they are. Sophie stayed true to her principles and message, which will always resound throughout history. Her message to the world is what her brother said before he was executed:
"Long live freedom!"
Sources:
Burton, L. (n.d.). White Rose: The Germans who tried to topple Hitler. Retrieved April 29, 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21521060
Burton, L. (n.d.). White Rose: The Germans who tried to topple Hitler. Retrieved April 29, 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21521060