2007-11-29 04:17:01 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
I need simple questions.
I am interviewing an older woman that has survived the holocaust around the age of 19or20 and does not remember a lot of information about it anymore.
2007-11-29 04:25:42 · update #1
I am a student, and i am going to interview a survivor for a homework assignment.
when the survivor was in the camps she was 19 or 20.
since she is an older woman now she might not remember all of the details of the holocaust, so i want to ask her simple questions.
the last thing i would want to do is to make her feel like i am trying to hassle her for the information.
2007-11-29 05:13:33 · update #2
Whatever they are be prepared for horrifying answers, horrifying to listen to, horrifying to relive for the speaker. What happened in those camps was so monstrous your imagination cannot reach that level of horror.
I'd ask :
Do you want to talk about it?
And let the person decide what to say.
Personally I would not ask Suzane's question 'Why do you think you survived?'. Survivor guilt is one of the many things those people had to fight afterwards.
2007-11-29 04:30:26 · answer #1 · answered by Cabal 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You really don't provide us with an over-abundance of information relating to your/her situation.
Do you mean that she was 19-20 when she was released from the internment camp; or are you 19-20 yrs. old?
Why are you doing the interview? Why has she agreed to be interviewed?
Are you a student, or a journalist?
I have been interviewed on three separate occasions during my life by journalist, that wanted to interview me for an article they were writing; and to have agreed, were some of the biggest mistakes of my life: NO journalist is to be trusted to present the facts, the reality of a given situation. They always distort, sensationalize the material to suit their own purposes; and on the whole are generally most unsavory people. Anyone who trust them is a fool.
If you are a journalist, and have any decency at all, when you ask her a question and there is any hesitancy on her part, immediately move on to another question, out of respect for what she may be feeling: be kind.
Or if you are just a student, and it's a class assignment or something like that - NOT a journalistic enterprize - do as suggested in the above: pace the interview very slowly if she is indeed elderly, and ask her questions like: "what would you like to tell me about you experience in the internment camp?"
That would be the best way to open the interview; and take your lead from her: let her lead by her direct statements or innuendo; but don't "hassle" her: be most considerate. And if she seems not to be able to emotionally handle the interview, back off and simply say, "Thank you, very, very much, and have a nice day"; or something to that effect, and leave.
Wotan
2007-11-29 13:06:53 · answer #2 · answered by Alberich 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why didn't you fight back?
What was the first thing that happened to you as a result of government repression?
What were your earliest memories of the Holocaust?
When did you first think you were going to die?
Were you in a concentration camp, and if so, for how long, and did you know people in camps other than Jews?
What kinds of punishment or humiliations did you experience or witness in your town, a ghetto, or the concentration camp?
What was the saddest day or moment that you can remember?
What motivated you to keep on going during the Holocaust, and did you ever give up hope?
Have your beliefs in God been influenced by your experiences?
Have you ever returned to your birthplace or home, or would you want or need to?
Would you ever consider going back to the camp sites?
How do you get through daily life after witnessing such horror?
2007-12-05 14:09:17 · answer #3 · answered by Me<3<3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should talk about the weather or engage in other small talk for a few minutes, then offer a little information about yourself. Then tell her you are studying and writing about about the rise of Hitler and World War II. Ask her what does she think think young people of today should know about that time, how did things get so bad, what can we do to prevent such hatred and madness?
In other words, I think you should keep it slightly impersonal by asking about the history and politics of the era, and that you should frame your discussion like you are seeking her advice.
2007-11-29 14:18:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would ask:
Who helped you in unexpected ways?
Were there any good things that happened to you?
There are stories of incredible depth of human spirit as well, like who shared food, who worked behind the scenes to help, who figured out ways to trick the perpetrators, etc. I think it is important to hear the answers to those questions as well.
And, the person you are interviewing may not have answers to these questions. But I would still ask.
And probably the main question would be:
What kept you going, even when you wanted to give up?
2007-11-29 12:46:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What did you manage to eat?
Were you made to work?
Did you lose loved ones in the camp?
Why do you think you survived?
2007-11-29 12:20:11 · answer #6 · answered by suzanne g 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Wow...I completely agree with Cabal. Asking anything about why, what if...well, its just wrong.
I'd simply say, what do you want to tell me, and let her decide what she feels like talking about.
Give Cabal the points, he deserves them.
2007-11-29 13:13:37 · answer #7 · answered by aidan402 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Whatever you do be nice about it. It was a traumatic experience.
What type of questions are you needing?
2007-11-29 12:20:38 · answer #8 · answered by Yun 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They know what questions to answer, and what you should know about it.
Your first questions should be, "What can you tell me about it" or "What SHOULD I ask?"
2007-11-29 12:42:22 · answer #9 · answered by Darklighter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how did you live
was it hard
did you see your family
2007-12-07 11:48:18 · answer #10 · answered by theinen76 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋