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George Victor's Hitler: The Pathology Of Evil

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Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote that “what lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”. The inner workings of one’s mind is what composes their most notable actions; it drives them to their utmost extent. In George Victor’s Hitler: The Pathology of Evil, he delves into the surrounding environment of Hitler’s youth, developed insecurities, and their impact on his political life. Victor’s educational background is briefly discussed in his book, The Pearl Harbor Myth. He earned his Ph.D in psychology, studying at schools such as Harvard and Columbia University. As both of these are Ivy League schools, it can be assumed that Victor’s work has merit; The Pathology of Evil alone references over 250 …show more content…

Although a strong sense of this did stem from the leader, outside influences led to these “traditional” values of the German population. By stating that his “unconventional and abstemious” (Victor 64) mannerisms pushed Hitler to portray himself as more manly, Victor leads the audience to believe that this was pushed on to the regime. However, John Simkin, a historian with Tressell Publications, explains that Mussolini’s rule had influenced the German population with the idea of fascism; the fascism that would modify German ideals in Nazi Germany. The new rule would push for the archetype of a strong male role, and subservient female role. Yet, this was not entirely Hitler’s doing. Nicole Loroff explains the intensity in which the Nazi Party held these standards. She explains that marriage within the party encouraged men to find partners who were “hereditarily fit” (Loroff). This displays the wider support for traditionalist concepts rather than a single catalyst. It proposed that men should initiate relations and maintain stability for their families. While each author does include Hitler’s part in this social making, Victor’s idea of a single cause is not …show more content…

He dove into topics such as sexual practices similar to those of the current B.D.S.M. scene, and speculation of Hitler’s craving for degradation. Finding a published source that explained this with such depth was difficult, but not impossible. Victor explains that Hitler had various desires, but did not openly express them. Stating this opens the door to the practices of secrecy. Allan Hall gladly opens this door. He records the details of speculations made about the leader’s sexuality, ultimately concluding that he upheld “heterosexual abstinence” (Hall). Victor acknowledges this, saying the man “ lived like a eunuch” (Victor 42), meaning he could not perform, or chose not to engage in such acts. Since the activities Hitler partook in are not accurately recorded, it can be concluded that Victor heightened these properties to attract the attention of a larger and much more curious audience. His detailed analysis of Adolf Hitler’s self loathing leads to the speculation of his sexual practices, rather than the proof of their existence. He bases this off the typical model of a masochist, which similarly to Sigmund Freud, implies that they are “in need of treatment”

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