Trajectory of Holocaust Memory - The Crisis of Testimony in Theory and Practice

The Trajectory of Holocaust Memory: The Crisis of Testimony in Theory and Practice re-considers survivor testimony, moving from a subject-object reading of the past to a subject-subject encounter in the present. It explores how testimony evolves in relationship to the life of eyewitnesses across time.

This book breaks new ground based on three principles. The first draws on Martin Buber's "I-Thou" concept, transforming the object of history into an encounter between subjects. The second employs the Jungian concept of identity, whereby the individual (internal identity) and the persona (external identity) reframe testimony as an extension of the individual. They are a living subject, rather than merely a persona or narrative. The third principle draws on Daniel Kahneman's concept of the experiencing self, which relives events as they occurred, and the remembering self, which reflects on their meaning in sum. Taken together, these principles comprise a new literacy of testimony that enables the surviving victim and the listener to enter a relationship of trust.

Designed for readers of Holocaust history and literature, this book defines the modalities of memory, witness, and testimony. It shows how encountering the individual who lived through the past changes how testimony is understood, and therefore what it can come to mean.

List of contents

Foreword / Part I: The Crisis of Witness / 1. Name, date, place / 2. What it means, and what it doesn't / 3. The constrained witness / 4. All that is real (and some that is not) / Part II: The Origins of Holocaust Witness / 5. Witness within the Storm / 6. They were not silenced / Part III: Trajectories Beyond the Final Word / 7. Deep inside, I'm still there

Summary

This book re-considers survivor testimony, moving from a subject-object reading of the past to a subject-subject encounter in the present. It explores how testimony evolves in relationship to the life of eyewitnesses across time.

Product details

• Authors: Stephen D. Smith, Stephen D. (Usc Dornsife Smith, Smith Stephen D.
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.12.2022
• EAN: 9780367706180
• ISBN: 978-0-367-70618-0
• No. of pages: 232
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Modern era up to 1918; HISTORY / Europe / Germany, HISTORY / General, HISTORY / Jewish, HISTORY / United States / 20th Century, HISTORY / Middle East / Israel & Palestine, Religion: general, Social & political philosophy, social and political philosophy, Jewish Studies, Fascism & Nazism, Second World War, The Holocaust, Far-right political ideologies and movements, Modern warfare, Modern Period, C 1500 Onwards, Social groups: religious groups and communities, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century / General, HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century / Holocaust, HISTORY / Russia / General