A Woman In Berlin / Anonymous / 1959
A Woman In Berlin is a book consisting of journal entries written by an anonymous woman in Berlin during World War II while it was captured by the red army. The author of the book was later revealed to be journalist Marta Hiller in 2003. The journal entries begin April 20th and cease June 22nd. The book gives readers insight of what women went through at a time of pain. Surviving off of food rations the citizens of Berlin were starving. Surrounded by death it is difficult to understand how the narrator did not go insane. It is clear weeks into the journal that food is a major motivator; standing in long lines while air bombers fly by only. Once the red army invaded Berlin many woman were taken advantage of, molested, and raped by soldiers. The narrator was able to speak Russian and befriended a soldier of higher ranking after being raped multiple times in an attempt to stay safe. She found a beneficial relationship with a few men through out this time. These men provided protection from other soldiers as well as food for her, the window, and Herr Pauli.
"A Woman in Berlin" is a powerful story about strong women who seemed powerless when faced with emotional and sexual violence. As a reader it is easy to judge the lives of the people affected when you live in an entirely different world. Hardships during war are well documented for soldiers but it is rare to see the citizens point of view. In a time of war all rules are thrown out the window and that proves true in this memoir. If faced with starvation and mass rape, then would it be socially acceptable to engage in a mutually beneficial relationship. The narrator is at a time in her life where she and everyone else in Berlin has hit rock bottom. She is surviving off of very little food while being raped multiple times by many different men. In an attempt to save herself she engages in a relationship with a character by the name of Major. Major provides her both food and protection from the other soldiers occupying Berlin. From the reader's point of view this could be seen as a prostitution-esque relationship. In one instance, Hiller justifies these actions by stating, "I should now consider myself a whore, living as I do off my body, acquiring by its surrender the food we need." (150). She knows that what she is doing isn't necessarily the right thing to do, but that it is what she must do to survive. Hiller actually enjoys the company of the Major, since he does not force himself upon her like the other men, but still provides her with food. Aside from food, Hiller's relationship with the major also offers her protection from the other men. "This I'm willing to offer him, even with pleasure - for, compared with the male beasts of these last days." (151). With the other men, she didn't have any choice, but with the Major she does these things because she wishes to. When faced with these horrible situations, sometimes people do what many would consider morally unjust things. However, not being presented with these circumstances, judgement cannot be passed on the actions taken.
-AH
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