Guilt and Shame in the Reader

Sebastian Hinds Mr. La Bonne EHRS/pd0 4/8 Guilt and Shame in ‘The Reader’ The Holocaust was a tragic event in history which took the lives of many people, and deeply affected those who witnessed the tragedy. Not only did this affect the people who lived through it, it also affected everyone who was connected to it. The survivors were lucky to have made it but there are times when their memories and flashbacks have made …

…her. He blamed himself for many of the events that occurred. After he realizes that it wasn’t his fault when Hanna ran away, he claims he is guilty again: "And if I was not guilty because one cannot be guilty of betraying a criminal, then I was guilty of loving a criminal" Was shame Hanna’s Crime? Michael was guilty of nothing, because Hanna was no criminal, but just a Woman with a secret.