Otto Elliot Character Analysis

a television interview Otto/Elliot the reporter presents the two pictures to Otto/Elliot and all the television audience to see they are the same man. Otto/Elliot “turns white as a ghost” when he is shown the images from his past (Balson 288). This reaction of Otto/Elliot turning “white as a ghost” makes the audience aware that Otto/Elliot is fearful and frightened for being exposed for his past life as a Nazi. Now that the public is questioning if he is or is not the Nazi it is certain the Otto’s “good life” is over. Benjamin continues to be courageous in his quest for justice. While in a meeting with Otto/Elliot and his lawyers Benjamin notices the scars from when Otto was in the fight with the “punks” while he was saving Beka’s life. Benjamin
Ledbetter and Frankl both agree when individuals are faced in dire situation, virtues can help guide them to make decisions. Narrative fiction can have a religious function, Balson exposes the audience to “dominant virtue” or a “worldview” he wants the audience to see as preferable. Once Balson established the “dominant virtue” which in this case is philia, the audience is better able to understand the “right” and “wrong” decisions the characters make throughout the plot. Once We Were Brothers is an excellent example of both narrative fiction and Holocaust literature since the novel depicts the struggles that the Benjamin and Otto have in the atmosphere of the Holocaust. By doing so, Balson shows the audience the evil during the Holocaust, which promotes a response in the
The two worldviews Balson focuses on are the virtue of philia and self-preservation. As seen above both Ledbetter and Frankl have similar beliefs on the virtue of philia. Frankl’s meaning of life and philia both believe it is possible to live a good life through the support of friends and family despite the events that are happening around them. Self-preservation is on the opposite side of the virtue spectrum. Self-preservation can be seen as survival mechanism as individuals are only looking out for themselves, while some may argue that self-preservation is a good virtue to have during the Holocaust it is important to note that the individual maybe turning his or her back on loved ones in their time of