Sophie Scholl

1. List the ethical positions you observed Sophie take and give evidence of each.
Sophie Scholl is an ethical absolutists, someone who can stand up to higher power.She wanted everyone to be free from their own mind and free from the chains of society.Sophie Scholl represents the light to the people blinded by the Nazis. “The sun is still shining,” is the last thing Sophie says. She is hopeful that the members of Nazi Germany will see the light of the truth shining through the lies of the shadows.

She lied at the start which is against what God says however she was doing it for a reason she believed God would be on her side with. She would not tell the truth the interrogator to save the others from punishment.


2. Sophie lied to her interrogator. How would you justify (or condemn) her actions from an ethical perspective? What is your view of the importance of telling the truth?
Trying to protect other members of the White Rose, she declares that she and her brother are apolitical, lying so effectively that Mohr is prepared to let her go. But after evidence of their activities is found in the Scholls' apartment and Sophie is shown her brother's signed confession, she admits that she distributed the leaflets.

Though she knows that it is the wrong thing to do to lie, she is doing it for a greater cause as she believes that the Nazi's are doing the wrong thing. She says that she is "proud of it" when her lies are discovered.


3. What impression do you have of Sophie’s awareness of the potential consequences of her actions during the film? How did this awareness impact on her actions?

When she goes to the bathroom and starts to cry after being caught out in her lies she realises that something bad is going to happen. However once the lying stops her courage emerges and she becomes a strong woman standing up for what se believes is right.

4. Discuss the extent to which Sophie’s ethics guided by her faith. How did her ethics impact on her spiritual journey?
Sophie knew that lying is wrong, however she did it to try and save herself and others, particulary others. She prays to God that all will be well however I dont think she really asks him to 'save' her from her punishment, she sort of just prays that her, her brother, family and friends will be okay through the hard times.
We are also witness to her Protestant faith as she stammers out prayers to God and meets with a chaplain after the trial.


At the end when she knows she is going to be executed she asks for God's blessing. She knows she has done nothing wrong and that God is on her side.

5. What would you do in Sophie’s position?

I think Sophie is one of the bravest most admirable young women in history. We learn of her courage at the start of the movie when she determindly pushes the flyiers over the balcony to spread the message even at the risk of being caught.

It is hard to say exactly what I would do in her position unless it actually happened to me. I however would have a similar position to her, I would stand by my beliefs, and I would try to save others before myself.

If it meant I had to lie in order to save myself and others in such a situation I think I would to an extent. But once I am caught out my determined side would come out and I would stay with my beliefs and truth to the death. It is a pretty big thing to say that yu would de for your beliefs, but on such a thing as this I believe that it would be the right thing to do for me.
6. What other thoughts, questions or comments do you have as a result of watching this film?

It had a huge impact on me. I never really thought what I would do in such a situation but watching her fight against the government for her people put things into perspective for me. I am like her in the way that she puts others first and will fight for her beliefs.

I admired the stregnth of the brother as well, in the courtroom and just before he gets his head cut off he yells out "freedom".

QUOTES
Christoph Probst: It wasn't in vain.
Sophie Scholl: [to the court] You will soon be standing where we stand now.
Hans Scholl: [to the court] If you and Hitler weren't afraid of our opinion, we wouldn't be here.