I’ve posted about this twice, here and hereThis will be either the last or penultimate post depending on what further things I think about.
I had never thought about what life was like for the Jews of Germany and Austria on a day-to-day basis before they were taken under the Nazi regime, but I should have. What comes across in the first 60 or so pages is the everyday hardships, and sometimes actual suffering, that the Jews had to deal with.
Below is the story written by the author.
I couldn’t let the political situation stop me from studying. I had taken both state exams and passed them with distinction. If I passed the final exam I would receive a Juris Doctor degree that would qualify me to practice not only as a lawyer but also as a judge. With my degree, training, qualifications and certifications, I felt that the move would be much easier.
In April 1938 (DRH note: the Anschluss had happened the previous month), I went to the university to pick up my final exam papers and to be informed of the date of my PhD exam. The young clerk there (who I actually knew) said to me: “Edith, you cannot take your exam. You are no longer welcome at the university.” She handed me the papers and my transcript. “Goodbye.”
For almost five years I studied law, constitutional law, torts, psychology, economics, political theory, history, philosophy. I prepared for my PhD exam by writing papers, attending lectures, analyzing legal cases, and studying with a judge three times a week. And now they won’t let me take the exam.
My legs gave way, so I leaned on her desk for support.
“But…but…this final exam is all I need to get my degree!”
She turned her back to me, and I sensed her sense of triumph, her heartfelt satisfaction at having destroyed my life. It smelled like sweat, like lust.
