WW2 Lodz Ghetto
From Contempt to Acceptance and Growth -
Miss Diamond’s Transformation
When the reader is first introduced to the gymnasium teacher Miss Diamond in Book One of the Tree of Life Trilogy, he or she encounters a seemingly resolute and stern person. Someone whose principles and values are already set, well established, and unwavering. An example of this is when Rachel, Miss Diamond’s student, submits a paper that does not align with her teacher’s clear cut set of beliefs. Rachel is reproached and humiliated for her “confused” and unwelcome ideas. Ideas that have no place in a true literature class like that of Miss Diamond. According to Miss Diamond, Rachel’s paper “did not suit a young lady about to receive her graduation certificate” (Rosenfarb, Bk 1, Ch. 6, p. 104). Miss Diamond could not believe that after so much time spent working in class on all sorts of striking literary works, a student would be so foolish as to present a paper discussing her appreciation for, of all languages, Yiddish Literature.
Rachel believed that books written in the Yiddish language should be regarded as authentic literature, the same as any other language. Likewise, the authors of Yiddish books were to be considered legitimate writers. This perspective on this uniquely Jewish language infuriated Miss Diamond. How can someone possibly regard a random blend of jargon from multiple languages as Literature? How could one think that a paper assignment, supposedly about the greatest writer the student has ever encountered, could ever include a writer associated with this mixed up Jewish gibberish kind of writing? Someone like this, in Miss Diamond’s opinion, must be “suffering from a Jewish complex!” What ever happened to writers like “Tolstoy, Goethe, and Romain Roland?” (Rosenfarb, Bk 1, Ch. 6, pp. 104-107). To world-renowned authors who have left their imprint on much more than just a small group of adherers to a dying tradition and language? Miss Diamond believed in the importance of the enlightenment and assimilation of Jews into cultures and societies other than their own. True, the Jews had an interesting history that can be remembered, but the Jewish tradition must not be rendered elevated, superior, or unique in any way. Little did Miss Diamond know how much and how soon these views would be put in question, and how she would be transformed in a way that she had never imagined. And by who of all people? The enlightened, modern, and forward-thinking German people.
“The German’s have managed to make a Jew out of me,” Miss Diamond said to Wanda, her beloved longtime friend (Rosenfarb, Bk 1, Ch. 10, p. 215). Suddenly, with the swift approach of WW2 and what came along with it, Miss Diamond found herself re-examining everything she held dear and true. She and Wanda believed and shared all of these principles about enlightenment and intellectualism for so long, yet here she was perplexed and unable to articulate to her friend this strange new connection and association she felt towards this ancient people whom she once despised. Miss Diamond found herself opening up and admitting to Wanda her new realization. In truth “I have always seen beauty and greatness in the ancient Biblical Jew. In my heart of hearts, I was proud of him…” (Rosenfarb, Bk 2, Ch. 1, pp. 13-15) On another occasion, after the war had already begun, Miss Diamond saw her student Rachel across the gymnasium yard. When she thought about the misunderstanding that she had with her student she decided to try and rectify it, to “approach her with an open heart” (Rosenfarb, Bk 1, Ch. 10, p. 211). Gradually Miss Diamond became something different, something new, as a teacher, and as a person.
Of all of the teachers who remained in the ghetto, Miss Diamond outlived most of them. This was a surprise to many. But for her, there were still significant reasons to continue to cling to life, to live. She evolved, learned new things about herself and others, and as always, Miss Diamond cared deeply for her students and young orphans in the ghetto. As long as they were around, there was a purpose and an incentive to push forward. (Rosenfarb, Bk 3, Ch. 7, p. 90)
As time in the ghetto moved on, Miss Diamond transformed from a rigid woman to a flexible person who did what was necessary to carry on. She learned that there was more to the Jewish nation and tradition than what she had originally thought. She realized that her past thinking may have been flawed in many ways and she was not ashamed to admit that to herself or even others. While many others in the ghetto became increasingly self-absorbed and depleted, Miss Diamond remained devoted and committed to helping others. This was her strength and saving grace. This was her way of making the world a better place.
Works Cited
Rosenfarb C. The Tree of Life; A Trilogy of Life in the Lodz Ghetto; Book 1: On the Brink of the Precipice, 1939. The University of Wisconsin Press, 1972
Rosenfarb C. The Tree of Life; A Trilogy of Life in the Lodz Ghetto; Book 2: From the Depths I Call You, 1940-1942. The University of Wisconsin Press, 1972
Rosenfarb C. The Tree of Life; A Trilogy of Life in the Lodz Ghetto; Book 3: The Cattle Cars Are Waiting, 1942-1944. The University of Wisconsin Press, 1972