How Schindler’s List Explores Defensiveness and Lack of Empathy: A Deep Dive into Human Nature

In Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, the haunting tale of the Holocaust is brought to life with raw emotion, yet beneath the surface, the film delves into some of the most troubling aspects of human behavior—defensiveness and a chilling lack of empathy. Through its characters, especially those who embody Nazi ideology, the movie examines how these traits can lead to unimaginable atrocities, while others, like Oskar Schindler, reveal the potential for transformation when empathy breaks through.

The Shield of Defensiveness: Protecting the Self at All Costs

Defensiveness is a central theme in Schindler’s List, particularly in the way many characters protect themselves from the harsh reality of their actions. Instead of confronting their cruelty, they construct mental barriers, justifying or downplaying their inhumanity. This defensiveness is a survival mechanism, allowing people to avoid the crushing weight of guilt and moral responsibility.

Take Amon Goeth, the film’s primary antagonist and a chilling representation of Nazi brutality. As the commandant of the Plaszów concentration camp, Goeth’s actions are monstrous, yet he remains disturbingly detached. He shields himself with a warped sense of duty and superiority. When he shoots prisoners from his balcony, he doesn’t flinch—he’s insulated from their suffering by layers of ideology and dehumanization. His defensiveness lies in his rigid adherence to Nazi propaganda, which assures him that these people are not fully human, absolving him of any need for empathy.

This kind of defensiveness allows individuals like Goeth to commit atrocities while maintaining a sense of righteousness. It’s not that they don’t see the horror of their actions; rather, they defend themselves from the full emotional impact by rationalizing, justifying, and ultimately suppressing their empathy.

Dehumanization: The Pathway to a Lack of Empathy

The lack of empathy in Schindler’s List is chillingly evident in how the Nazis view the Jewish people. They are seen not as individuals with lives, families, and dreams but as objects to be exploited or exterminated. This dehumanization is a key factor in the Nazis’ ability to carry out the Holocaust. By stripping their victims of their humanity, they suppress any natural human empathy that might arise.

In the film, this dehumanization is symbolized by the segregation of Jews into ghettos, the branding of them with the Star of David, and the stripping away of their possessions and rights. Each step is designed to distance the perpetrators from their victims, creating an emotional and psychological barrier that makes it easier to treat them with cruelty and indifference.

For many of the Nazis in the film, empathy is a weakness—something that could undermine their mission. They have trained themselves, through years of propaganda and indoctrination, to see their victims as lesser beings. Goeth’s actions illustrate this perfectly; when he interacts with Jews, his gaze is often empty, as though he’s looking through them rather than at them. Their suffering is invisible to him because, in his mind, they are not truly people. His lack of empathy is not innate, but conditioned.

Schindler’s Transformation: From Defensiveness to Empathy

In stark contrast, Oskar Schindler’s journey in the film is a powerful exploration of the potential for empathy to break through even the strongest defenses. At the beginning of the story, Schindler is an opportunist. He uses Jewish labor to build his fortune, showing little concern for their well-being. He is defensive, not in a violent way like Goeth, but in a self-serving way—he is focused on his own success and shields himself from the moral implications of his actions.

However, as Schindler witnesses the brutality inflicted upon the Jews, something begins to change. He starts to see them not as tools for his business but as people—human beings with families, dreams, and fears. The pivotal moment in this transformation comes when he sees the little girl in the red coat during the liquidation of the Kraków ghetto. Amid the black-and-white world of horror and violence, she stands out as a symbol of innocence and humanity. This moment pierces Schindler’s defenses, forcing him to confront the reality of what’s happening around him. The child’s vulnerability awakens his empathy, and from that point on, Schindler’s mission shifts from one of self-interest to one of saving lives.

Unlike Goeth, Schindler allows himself to feel the pain and fear of others. He can no longer hide behind his defensiveness, and his empathy compels him to act, even at great personal risk. This transformation is at the heart of the film’s moral message: while defensiveness and a lack of empathy can lead to horrific consequences, the capacity for empathy can be a powerful force for good, even in the darkest of times.

Indifference as a Form of Defensiveness

Another form of defensiveness that Schindler’s List explores is indifference. Many characters in the film, particularly those not directly involved in the atrocities, turn a blind eye to what’s happening. This indifference is its own form of defensiveness, a way of protecting oneself from the emotional toll of confronting evil. By choosing not to see the suffering of others, these individuals shield themselves from the moral responsibility of taking action.

Spielberg highlights this indifference in several scenes, such as when civilians in Kraków watch the liquidation of the ghetto from a distance. They are not participating in the violence, but their passive acceptance makes them complicit. Their defensiveness lies in their refusal to fully engage with the horrors happening before their eyes. By maintaining a safe emotional distance, they protect themselves from guilt and responsibility.

The Consequences of Empathy’s Absence

Ultimately, Schindler’s List demonstrates the devastating consequences of a world devoid of empathy. The film doesn’t just show the physical violence of the Holocaust—it exposes the emotional and psychological violence of dehumanization and defensiveness. The Nazis’ systematic lack of empathy, fueled by ideology and reinforced by defensiveness, leads to the mass murder of millions of people.

But the film also offers a glimmer of hope through Schindler’s transformation. It suggests that empathy can be rediscovered, even in the most unlikely individuals, and that this empathy can make all the difference in the world. Schindler’s actions saved over a thousand lives, proving that when empathy breaks through our defenses, it can inspire acts of incredible courage and compassion.

Final Thoughts

Schindler’s List is more than a historical drama; it’s a profound exploration of human nature. By examining defensiveness and the lack of empathy, the film shows how these traits can lead to unspeakable evil—but also how the capacity for empathy, once awakened, can be a force for good. In the end, the film challenges us to confront our own defenses and ask ourselves: When faced with suffering, will we look away, or will we allow ourselves to feel—and act?