INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
Within the film Inglourious Basterds is a plethora of quotes relating to the ludicrous manner in which the story relates the worldwide significance of World War II. Most notable quotes by Rain, an ignoble Nazi hunter, Hans Landa, a curiously trilingual Nazi fellow, and Joseph Goebbels, who died before his time in an anticlimactic bar fight.
To begin, one of the earlier quotes by Lieutenant Rain portrayed a mystifying blithe demeanor with which he and his squad massacred enemy infantry with common sporting equipment. Conversely, in the real world many veterans of war would cry foul to the incorrect glorification of killing and dying, despite the fact that youthful rage can and does overtake one's senses in the midst of combat. Yet, to illustrate these acts with comedy in the mind sheds light on several esoteric notions, namely, the fact that there is little moral difference between killing six million Jews with nerve gas than lobotomizing a foot soldier with a baseball bat. Are the victims in question not simply following religious and political leaders, regardless of whether or not it is consensual? Bottom line, to kill is to steal, and the Allies, however good their intentions were, are not excused by any means for their treatment of enemy soldiers.
The second quote, by Hans Landa, is especially delightful in that it is open to near endless interpretation. On one hand Hans spells his own demise, stating that even in a hostile world a rat can persevere. Never before have rats been wiped out by a man; not have the Hebrews, in spite of the many attempts to do so. In fact, who would ever bother wasting time chasing after a single escaped rat? What are the odds that it will burn down your neighborhood cinema? The point here, it seems, is that one can never dispose of all vice and personal irritation without doing away with himself in the end.
Without ado comes a dual quote by Rain and Hans. Simply put, it brings light to the fact that no one, not even Americans, are innocent in their endeavors. Nay, blowing up a cinema and killing various people tends to be universally frowned upon. Evidently, this is not a thought that crosses the minds of most people without external stimulation. Although passing judgment on others is an effortless thing to most, few are the people who will pass judgment on themselves. Even Rain, who hunts evil people, sees not the hypocrisy of his actions. What goes comes around, so says the crane.
The final quote is attributed to Joseph Goebbels. Essentially, the comparison between Nazi anti-Semitics and American racism against black citizens is made. The cold but arguably true statement once again shows there is little difference in the behavior of Nazi Germany and the Allies. History is written by the victor and truth is relative.
Senior, Class of 2012
To begin, one of the earlier quotes by Lieutenant Rain portrayed a mystifying blithe demeanor with which he and his squad massacred enemy infantry with common sporting equipment. Conversely, in the real world many veterans of war would cry foul to the incorrect glorification of killing and dying, despite the fact that youthful rage can and does overtake one's senses in the midst of combat. Yet, to illustrate these acts with comedy in the mind sheds light on several esoteric notions, namely, the fact that there is little moral difference between killing six million Jews with nerve gas than lobotomizing a foot soldier with a baseball bat. Are the victims in question not simply following religious and political leaders, regardless of whether or not it is consensual? Bottom line, to kill is to steal, and the Allies, however good their intentions were, are not excused by any means for their treatment of enemy soldiers.
The second quote, by Hans Landa, is especially delightful in that it is open to near endless interpretation. On one hand Hans spells his own demise, stating that even in a hostile world a rat can persevere. Never before have rats been wiped out by a man; not have the Hebrews, in spite of the many attempts to do so. In fact, who would ever bother wasting time chasing after a single escaped rat? What are the odds that it will burn down your neighborhood cinema? The point here, it seems, is that one can never dispose of all vice and personal irritation without doing away with himself in the end.
Without ado comes a dual quote by Rain and Hans. Simply put, it brings light to the fact that no one, not even Americans, are innocent in their endeavors. Nay, blowing up a cinema and killing various people tends to be universally frowned upon. Evidently, this is not a thought that crosses the minds of most people without external stimulation. Although passing judgment on others is an effortless thing to most, few are the people who will pass judgment on themselves. Even Rain, who hunts evil people, sees not the hypocrisy of his actions. What goes comes around, so says the crane.
The final quote is attributed to Joseph Goebbels. Essentially, the comparison between Nazi anti-Semitics and American racism against black citizens is made. The cold but arguably true statement once again shows there is little difference in the behavior of Nazi Germany and the Allies. History is written by the victor and truth is relative.
Senior, Class of 2012