Suffering Quote by Roger Cohen
““Extreme suffering engenders revulsion. Bert felt what Saul Bellow would call the “sense of personal contamination and aversion” engendered by the “disintegrating bodies” of the survivors of the Nazi camps. He hated himself for it. He felt shame but could summon no sympathy. The humiliated Jew was a pathetic figure, his humanity shredded. As Joseph Roth observed, “No one loves victims, not even their fellow victims.” Israel arose to consign that figure to the past.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The New York Times Magazine, “The Holocaust and the Jewish Identity”, 2005
The quote describes how extreme suffering can cause revulsion and shame, leading victims to feel contaminated and shunned even by fellow victims, highlighting the difficulty of empathizing with profound trauma.
In simple terms: Suffering can make victims feel contaminated and rejected.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address the stigma around trauma survivors.
Themes
trauma
shame
empathy
identity
memory
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- counseling
- education
- community support
- memorial events
- policy making
Key Concepts
psychology
social stigma
collective memory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society’s view of victims affect their healing?
- What can be done to foster empathy rather than revulsion?
A Different Perspective
The perspective may overlook the resilience and agency of survivors, focusing only on victimhood.
