This paper will analyze the “insiders” and “outsiders” in “The Jew’s Beech Tree” written by Annette Elizabeth von Droste-Hülshoff in 1842 in Germany (Hughes 37). This story follows the life of Frederick Mergel who rises from the lower class to the upper class due to working for his wealthy uncle. However, murders happen throughout the story where Frederick is always suspected as the culprit and he soon goes missing after the murder of a Jewish man. In this story, we see examples of anti-Semitism that were going on during early to mid-1800s in Germany (Lindemann 28). Anti-Semitism is “a hatred/fear of Jews that includes a key element of irrationality” which will be further discussed through Aaron the Jewish man in the story (Lindemann 10).
…show more content…
As a result of the rise of anti-Semitism during the early to mid-1800s in Germany, Aaron is considered as an “outsider” (Lindemann 28).The thoughts and actions of different characters towards Aaron reflect the feelings of anti-Semitism. When Frederick tells his mother that Huelsmeyer is a thief since he stole from Aaron and gave him a beating. Although there is not enough evidence that proved which party was right, Margaret believes that “the accursed Jew had first cheated him out of it” and that “Huelsmeyer is a respectable householder, and the Jews are all rascals” (Droste-Hülshoff 8). From here, we can see how hostile Margaret is towards the Jewish man. Furthermore, the villagers are not friendly towards Aaron as well when they yell, “Catch the Jew! Balance him against a pig!” (Droste-Hülshoff 39). Even though Aaron is an “outsider”, his situation is better than the Mergels because he is financially stable since he has a servant named …show more content…
From various examples mentioned before, they are part of the lower class and thus belong to the “outsiders” category. The reason that led to this is mainly due to Herman, Frederick’s father. Although Herman is a property holder, he is an alcoholic. However, he is an “orderly drinker” where he only drinks on Sundays and holidays (Droste-Hülshoff 3). While this term makes Herman sound less of an alcoholic, it is this term that leads to his social downfall. Herman succeeds in “wooing and winning a right pretty and wealthy girl” for his first marriage because he is sober during the week (Droste-Hülshoff 3). However, this marriage causes “great scandal and vexation” as “the young wife, screaming and bloody, was seen running through the village to her family” because on Sundays, he begins to drink (Droste-Hülshoff
As a result of the rise of anti-Semitism during the early to mid-1800s in Germany, Aaron is considered as an “outsider” (Lindemann 28).The thoughts and actions of different characters towards Aaron reflect the feelings of anti-Semitism. When Frederick tells his mother that Huelsmeyer is a thief since he stole from Aaron and gave him a beating. Although there is not enough evidence that proved which party was right, Margaret believes that “the accursed Jew had first cheated him out of it” and that “Huelsmeyer is a respectable householder, and the Jews are all rascals” (Droste-Hülshoff 8). From here, we can see how hostile Margaret is towards the Jewish man. Furthermore, the villagers are not friendly towards Aaron as well when they yell, “Catch the Jew! Balance him against a pig!” (Droste-Hülshoff 39). Even though Aaron is an “outsider”, his situation is better than the Mergels because he is financially stable since he has a servant named …show more content…
From various examples mentioned before, they are part of the lower class and thus belong to the “outsiders” category. The reason that led to this is mainly due to Herman, Frederick’s father. Although Herman is a property holder, he is an alcoholic. However, he is an “orderly drinker” where he only drinks on Sundays and holidays (Droste-Hülshoff 3). While this term makes Herman sound less of an alcoholic, it is this term that leads to his social downfall. Herman succeeds in “wooing and winning a right pretty and wealthy girl” for his first marriage because he is sober during the week (Droste-Hülshoff 3). However, this marriage causes “great scandal and vexation” as “the young wife, screaming and bloody, was seen running through the village to her family” because on Sundays, he begins to drink (Droste-Hülshoff