Should Otto Be Fine Outside Their Household?

offer, the Solomons believe that Otto has the virtue of philia which leads them to believe that Otto will be fine if he leaves their house. It is the support of the Solomons that persuades Otto to take his biological parents up on their offer. Their belief is that Otto will be able to “help” them despite Otto not living under their house. Benjamin and his father tell Otto “You can help us all by being on the inside”(112). By Balson including this scene into the novel he is setting up the two boys to “respond” to the atmosphere within the novel as they will encounter different worldviews that exist during the Holocaust. While all the Solomons support Otto’s decision since it is for his safety, Otto is not sure. Another reason why the Solomons believe that Otto will be fine outside their household is because they know there are no limitations on love. Frankl believes that “Love goes very far beyond the physical person of the beloved. It finds its deepest meaning in his spiritual being, his inner self. Whether or not he is actually present, whether or not he is still alive at all, ceases somehow to be of importance”(Frankl 58). Based on this, Otto does not have to be “present” in order to “loved”. Because of the “man’s search for meaning” and the virtue of philia Otto should be able to continue to live a good life and help support them in their time of
The Solomons do as they are told. Otto suggests that Hannah’s family “hides” their valuables. Both families attempt to salvage their valuables away from the Germans. Otto then “hides” the valuables in a remote location on Grandpa Yaakov’s barn in the country. In this section of the book both men exhibit the virtue of philia and trust amongst each