What is pity? Pity is to feel compassion or to be moved by emotionally. In the book The Sunflower the search for pity is seen often, but is it pity what the character is looking for. More than searching for pity I believe the character is looking for peace.
The character known as the SS Nazi Soldier as he was wounded in an attack on Jews he is left in a set up hospital to either recover or pass away; as he knows of his condition he requests to one of the nurses to find a Jew. Simon a Jew then is to hear the confession of this man. The soldier says in the conversation that this is what he was taught when the general/ leader to them to kill the Jews “ The Jews are causes of all our misfortunes.” (Pg. 49) In a comparison to modern time I believe the this soldier was developed as most kids who have grown to be Muslim and desire to bring death. In my opinion this soldier deserves pity. The way we are raised and taught has a lot affect in what we do, even if we have a innocent or noble heart.
This soldier mentions in the conversation that when he was young he liked to serve God and was loyal until he joined the Hitler Youth. He says “I cannot die… without coming clean. This must be my confession.” (Pg. 53) Obviously he seeks peace and forgiveness to die. If he was wanting to return to being the guy who served God that’s why there was so much repentance in him. He wanted forgiveness to be able to rest in peace and with what he confesses its pretty clear why.
