Blumes’s Reviews > The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness > Status Update

In the final pages of the book Wiesenthal journeys to find Karl's mother. As Wiesenthal discovers the mother of Karl, he realises that Karl was being truthful in asking for forgiveness. This is true because after Wiesenthal sits down with the mother he begins to unravel the whole story involving Karl's family and the Nazi's. Karl realised the err of his ways during the war, and came around to his family's beliefs.

Wiesenthal meets Bolek, a Polish jew who was transferred to Wiesenthal's camp because of the Russians further push towards Germany. Wiesenthal observes Bolek as he practices his religion to become a priest. He is intrigued by this level of devotion to his faith especially since he watches Bolek being humiliated and harassed by the Nazi guards often. He wonders if Bolek will lose or question his faith because of this.

The main character, Wiesenthal, becomes increasingly upset at the death rate that surrounds him. He begins to recall his encounter with the SS soldier and rethinks the stories that were told to him. He feels hopeless after moving camps and losing both of his friends. Going on with life seems impossible given the circumstances, yet he continues on and perseveres.

The main character, Wiesenthal, becomes increasingly upset at the death rate that surrounds him. He begins to recall his encounter with the SS soldier and rethinks the stories that were told to him. He feels hopeless after moving camps and losing both of his friends. Going on with life seems impossible given the circumstances, yet he continues on and perseveres.

I am interested to find out what other things happen between the injured SS member and Weisenthal. This interaction could come in place later in the book. It is still a mystery as to why the nurse brought Weisenthal into that particular med-bay. As the reader it was interesting to find out the confession of the fatally injured man and to read about the reaction that occured from the author.

It is interesting how Josek, Wiesenthal's friend believes he is superior towards the other jews in the camp in a place where he is believed to be inferior. One of the areas that caught my attention was when the author spoke about how the jewish people of Lemberg began to question their faith in god. It is evident that the non jewish people in Lemberg looked at the jews as outcasts and it is very sad read.