How Franz Jägerstätter Led an Exemplary Resistance to Totalitarianism
In the film “A Hidden Life,” Franz Jägerstätter is portrayed as a very humble farmer, who is very devoted to his wife and children. During his time of indecision, Father Fürthauer asks him, when discussing dying for his beliefs or staying with his family, “Which is the greater wrong?” Although he is seen as faithful to his family, he still chooses to die for what he believes is right. Franz Jägerstätter had a great impact on the resistance of Hitler’s party and totalitarianism as a whole because of his low status profile, the lack of support for his decision, and the responsibilities he held as a father and husband. His lack of reasoning behind his own decision is what left such an impact on people. It was obvious that, although he did not have a great education, he understood the principles of right from wrong, and his absolute and firm stance against Hitler’s war is how Franz Jägerstätter became such a heroic public figure.
Throughout the film, Franz Jägerstätter is told why he should not go through with denouncing the Nazi party, or more simply refusing to swear allegiance to Hitler. One of the most recurring arguments is that no one will remember him if he does this, and that he will not make any significant change if he refuses to swear his allegiance. During an interrogation scene with Captain Herder, Franz spouts, “You say, think of the times we live in. Well, those men and women in olden days, who put their lives at risk, because they wouldn’t carry out Caesar’s orders — what do you say of them? Did they live in better times?” to which the captain replies, “It’s one thing to take a stand on a big stage. But you are nowhere… You have no power.” The idea that the Nazi party was attempting to instill on Jägerstätter was that no matter what he did, he would make no lasting footprint on reality. He would just be another fatality in the war. And during that time, they were correct. For a very long time, Jägerstätter’s legacy was forgotten. Only after about a decade or so later was Jägerstätter’s file found again in the many records of executions by the Nazi party. Although Jägerstätter would never know if people would remember him, he knew he just couldn’t do that to himself as a Catholic. His ability to still give his life for a cause he believed he would get no recognition for is what makes his stance against the party so much more memorable and noble. He was doing this for his own sake, and that is what makes his resistance to totalitarianism so much more powerful.
Another reason why Jägerstätter’s stance against the Nazi party was so impactful was because he wasn’t a politcial martyr. Those who didn’t believe in what the party was doing still swore allegiance because they were afraid of persecution. Some, on the other hand, did stand up against the Nazi party and refused to back down. The only difference between them and Jägerstätter is that they made very big impressions on people at the time. One movement that exemplifies this is the White Rose Movement. A group of youths wrote widespread leaflets condeming Naziism, and confronted Nazis as well. They were arrested, charged, and killed all on the same day. Although their acts were incredibly noble, they had an exact reason for their actions. On the other hand, Jägerstätter did not have any motive against the regime. All he had was his internal beliefs. In one scene, his wife tells him, “God doesn’t care what you say. Only what’s in your heart. Say the oath, and think what you like.” However, he still could not allow himself to swear an allegiance, and was killed shortly after that conversation. Both the acts of the White Rose Movement and of Jägerstätter were honorable, but Jägerstätter’s lack of intentions is what makes his act so much more powerful. Many people know of the White Rose Movements, and can see their four leaflets at any time, but Jägerstätter was prepared to have no legacy at all, and in a sense, die in vain. His courage to accept his fate in order to stay true to his faith is what makes him an outlier, and a powerful figure of resistance to totalitarianism.