Question: In these two chapters, do you agree that Arendt focuses on the Germans more than on Eichmann? Is it valid for her to do that?
Answer: These two chapters actually talk more about Eichmann than I feel the last two chapters did. However, these chapters were more concerned with what other people/superiors Eichmann was involved with and his relations with them. Also, it talks a considerable amount about his “law abiding citizen” idea, but I didn’t think the chapter focused on that enough to title it as such. I was surprised, however, how much Eichmann was talked about during these two chapters, as I was expecting Arendt’s usual digression from that topic.
While Eichmann was discussed in these two chapters, I feel like his trial was scarcely mentioned. While I do want to read more about Eichmann, not other Germans or Nazis or Jews, I also was expecting to be reading about his trial. I feel like at this point in the book I have no idea what part of the trial these chapters pertain to and I have no idea what point the trial is.
It is not that Arendt talked about Germans more, but she talked a lot about Jews and Hungary. The chapterscover what and when the rules were instated for Jews as well as Hungary’s involvement in the war. The laws had nothing to do with Eichmann whatsoever, or even the fact that he was law abiding, because the laws mentioned were strictly for the Jews. Also, the whole discussion about Hungary and it’s involvement in the war seemed irrelevant. Yes, Eichmann had to deal with some of their difficulties, but Arendt only quickly mentioned that, but dwelled on Himmler and Becher. These chapters might have talked about Eichmann, but they talked about his conscience and his emotions, not his crimes or trial.
I am still frustrated with Arendt. These chapters were easier to get through than the last two because I felt like she stayed on topic a little better (except in the beginning when she brought up Eichmann’s last crisis of conscience 3 times before actually explaining it). However, I know nothing more about Eichmann, I know that he was incompetent, irrational, and weird in general, but that’s nothing new. Also, I realize I have no idea what is going on with the trial or what anything we have talked/read about recently has to do with it.
