JAC: A Journal of Composition Theory, Volume 24, Number 2, 2004 Page: 458
261-512 p. : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 22 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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458
author and the audience, and anyone with an alternative view is just
blowing hot air.
Writing without History on the Web
I want to stress here that while there has been a lot of analysis regarding
Holocaust deniers and anti-Semitic hate groups on the Web, what has
often been overlooked is some of the more subtle forms of prejudice and
historical revisionism. By analyzing the ways people interpret popular
culture representations of this historical trauma, instead of merely focus-
ing on extreme hate groups, we can gain insight into the possibilities and
limitations of teaching about the Holocaust and other cultural trauma to
the broader public.
In my writing course on the Holocaust, I had my students analyze the
above mentioned Web discussions and the debates and commentaries that
were distributed on an internet site called epinions.com.10 After reading
and writing about the Holocaust for several weeks, my students were
shocked by the lack of sensitivity and knowledge shown by the general
public regarding anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. What bothered my
students the most was the complete lack of historical specificity and
information that these comments displayed. For example, the following
"epinion" replicates many of the subtle historical distortions circulating
on the Web:
Then the war starts, and thus, so does the persecution of Jews. He
unfortunately, is one of those taken in, along with his son. In the
concentration camp, the kid is hidden away in the overfilled dormitory, so
that his father can make sure of his safety. Throughout, he must keep his
son's spirits up, and lift him out of his boredom and depression. Thus, this
film becomes not just a comedic tale, but a serious drama composed of
family bonds and keeping your spirit against all odds.
One of the most commendable aspects of this film is that it was not
another war story that was depressing, methodic or violent, but a story that
focuses on characters and personalities, irregardless of whether they are
placed in a war situation or not.
Though we see Benigni's depiction of the father go through the most
difficult of situations, we see him pull through, and fight back without any
bitterness but with invention, intelligence, and comedy. In short, this film
focuses on the human character, the human will, and a fathers' love.
"Life is Beautiful" will make you think exactly what life is really all
about, and hopefully by the end, you will realize that life is about
protecting and nurturing those closest to you, to the end. I loved this
movie, and I hope that you will, too.jac
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Association of Teachers of Advanced Composition (U.S.). JAC: A Journal of Composition Theory, Volume 24, Number 2, 2004, periodical, 2004; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc28644/m1/204/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .