Michael (autobiography)

Michael (autobiography)

Michael was a semi-autobiographical novel authored by the German propagandist Dr. Joseph Goebbels and published in 1929.

Plot

In a diary form the story follows the journey of Michael, a fictional character who represents a young Joseph Goebbels. At the beginning of the novel Michael has just returned home from service in The Great War. He finds a new democratic Germany which invoke feelings of both love and hate. Throughout the novel Michael wrestles with this mix of nationalist pride and anger towards the Wiemar Germany and he explores his personal philosophy and belief system.

Political Commentary

The book emphases the socialist ideals held by Goebbels' early in his political career, ideals he later abandoned after meeting Adolf Hitler.

Religious Commentary

In the novel Goebbels gives praise to Christianity, himself a Roman Catholic, and describes Jesus as one of the finest men to have ever lived. He also demonstrates his early socialist sympathies when he stated that Germans had to be "something like Christ Socialists" ["Michael", Joseph Goebbels, Amok Press, 38-40] The book also explores nature of God and the contemporary man: "modern man...is intrinsically a seeker of God, perhaps a Christ-man." ["Michael", Joseph Goebbels, Amok Press, 48-59]

Historical Analysis

Joseph Goebbels' biographer, the historian Fest suggests that "Michael" sheds light on Goebbels' state of mind and self-
Fest, "The Face of the Third Reich", 88]

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Michael (disambiguation) — Contents 1 Rulers 2 Religion 3 Film, television, music, literature 4 …   Wikipedia

  • Michael Palin — Palin in Trento, Italy in 2005 Born Michael Edward Palin 5 May 1943 (1943 05 05) (age 68) Broomhill, S …   Wikipedia

  • Michael Powell (director) — Michael Powell Born Michael Latham Powell 30 September 1905(1905 09 30) Bekesbourne, Kent, England Died …   Wikipedia

  • Michael Winner — Winner in 2004. Born Michael Robert Winner 30 October 1935 (1935 10 30) (age 76) London, England …   Wikipedia

  • Michael Barrymore — Born Michael Parker 4 May 1952 (1952 05 04) (age 59) Bermondsey, London, England Nationality British Occupation Comedian, actor …   Wikipedia

  • Michael York (actor) — Michael York York at the Filmex Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, November 1981. Credit to Alan Light Born Michael Hugh Johnson 27 March 1942 (1942 03 27) (age 69) …   Wikipedia

  • Michael Steinhardt — Born December 7, 1940 (1940 12 07) (age 70) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Occupation Hedge fund manager Michael H. Steinhardt (born December 7, 1940) is an American investor and philanthropist active in Jewish causes. He was one of the first… …   Wikipedia

  • Michael Goleniewski — a.k.a. SNIPER , LAVINIA , (16 August 1922 12 July 1993), was a Polish officer in the People s Republic of Poland s Ministry Of Public Security, the deputy head of military counterintelligence GZI WP, later head of the technical and scientific… …   Wikipedia

  • Michael Monroe — performing with Hanoi Rocks in England, 2008 Background information Birth name Matti Antero Kristian Fagerholm Also known …   Wikipedia

  • Michael DeBatt — Michael Mickey DeBatt (pronounced Di Bat; c. 1949 – November 2, 1987) was a reputed Gambino crime family mob associate who was involved in the gangland slaying of drug trafficker Frank Fiala. Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Varsity football career 1.2… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”