Examination And Questioning Of Historical Memory

Imre Kert(?)sz (November 9,1929-March 31,2016) was a Hungarian author. Because of his Jewish descent, Imre Kert(?)sz has suffered from racial oppression at a young age. The hard life in Auschwitz concentration camp became material for his works, making his works autobiographical in a way. As rare survivor of Auschwitz concentration camp, many writers described the horrors and accused the brutal acts of anti-Semitism, but when Imre Kert(?)sz recalled his life in Auschwitz concentration camp, he described it from an ignorant child’s perspective with curious eyes and plain state of mind. This particular perspective is different; it brings more interpretations for this history, as well as a wider thinking space for the future generations.This thesis will explore and construct the thoughts of the author, and dig into the hidden meaning of Auschwitz concentration camp. What is the historical memory of Auschwitz concentration camp? How Imre Kert(?)sz view and reflect on it? If it has potential value and significance for human history? if it provides positive guideline for human’s future? These are the focus of this thesis.Every research should be based on the collection and analysis of materials. The study of Imre Kert(?)sz’s life and works, and the grasp of domestic and international researches can provide theoretical support for this thesis. And, research should be done step by step. This thesis first shows historical memory through objective historical records, that is, the social environment and background, then turns to Imre Kert(?)sz’s experience, that is, the particular experience an individual encounters. Thereby, this thesis establishes a full memory structure. Via the quest for historical memory, it leads to the autor’s questioning for Auschwitz concentration camp, and through individual’s struggling reflection, it expresses the worry for Jewish community’s fate. But, the author’s worry doesn’t stop here, he thinks more about the fate of human beings and furthers his reflection.Through the trace of Imre Kert(?)sz’s experience in Auschwitz concentration camp, the thesis explores how an individual adapt to such a historical disaster and continue to survive and think. Finally, it reveals that this disaster can neither be simply attributed to the backward of civilization, nor cruelty of the Nazi organizations, nor cowardice of Jewish groups. In fact, it has a wider range of participants and more profound constitute factors; it’s a tragedy under modern civilization. Every tragedy comes from the ugly and dark side of human nature which can not be eradicated. No mater how human beings evolve, the unperfected humanity is always hidden inside and will set off a new round of bloody action. From this perspective, human beings are living in a history circle. Through repeated record of the history of Auschwitz concentration camp, Imre Kert(?)sz’s hopes to evoke people’s reflection on tragedy and human nature and thus make up the unperfected humanity with love and compassion, and extend the toughness of human existence.Imre Kert(?)sz patiently repeated the theme of Auschwitz concentration camp, in his view, the Holocaust in Auschwitz concentration camp is not an accident, it is a result of human being’s need to maintain power system, as well as proof of human being’s fall in modern society. Today, civilization and barbarism are coexisting, despotism and tyranny are also existing in another way. Imre Kert(?)sz discussed how to avoid the history and obtain a true survival. Imre Kert(?)sz showed a complex of Auschwitz concentration camp in his works, which is not only to warn people not to forget the horrible history, but also alert that if factors contributing to Auschwitz disaster still exist, the Jewish community will still suffer another misfortune and human beings may still encounter a new oppression and tragedy. Therefore, Auschwitz concentration camp needs to be remembered and interpreted again and again. Imre Kert(?)sz believed the Holocaust can become a new and unique culture; human being should find its potential value and significance; let the disaster play a better role in guiding human’s historical development. These are the value and significance of Imre Kert(?)sz’s works.