Hi
All,
I
really enjoyed our discussion across the two classes on the ideas of Victims
within the text on Friday.
On
reflection, what came out of it was the following:
1) The Stasi, on a superficial level, can be seen purely as
perpetrators.
2) However, on deeper analysis, they can be seen as victims of their
own regime.
3) Mill’s point was perhaps they were neither victims nor perpetrators
as they were responding to the insular situation of the Physical wall and their
indoctrination by the Regime means they were simply behaving within the context
of the situation. And even though they are utilising oppressive and despotic means, they
can’t be blamed.
4) The *whacky* interpretation of the day was that perhaps the Stasi
were the real victims and that Miriam, Frau Paul and Julia were the perpetrators
because they refused to comply to the Regime. Their resistance was defiance to
the GDR therefore they can be seen as trying to undermine and sabotage their own
country. The Stasi were merely trying to protect East Germany from the abhorrent Capitalists in the West and individuals like FP, Miriam and Julia were devious dissidents.
5) Many of you saw that the victims were Funder’s three prominent
voices of FP, Julia and Miriam and the perpetrators were the Stasi….however it’s
always advantageous (just for you Ruby and Julz) to look beyond individual
representation and see things on a societal level as well.
6) And finally, I liked Boalsy’s finding of perhaps the real
perpetrators were the Allies and the USSR….. and the victim of this whole
situation was indeed, Germany. Love that!!!!!
Anyway, many excellent responses…..thank you to you all
contributing verbally. Pax …you added some great ideas too…can’t leave you
out!
In the meantime, please listen to:
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2013/04/11/3734893.htm?site=melbourne
It's a podcast exploring the text.
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