Prof. Jordan Peterson Analyzes Nazi Propaganda Film “The Eternal Jew” (Der Ewige Jude, 1940)

The Nature of Hitler's Fascism

• Hitler's fascism is not grounded in an ideology comparable to communism; it is founded on visceral disgust and imagery.

• The movement employs metaphors and strong visual propaganda to evoke emotional responses that bypass rational analysis.

Film Analysis: Order vs. Chaos

• The film portrays a stark contrast between order (represented by Aryans) and chaos (represented by Jews).

• It invokes feelings of disgust and purity through disease imagery and minor key music, reinforcing an archetypal view of chaos.

• Trade is depicted not as a productive exchange but a source of contamination, equating commerce with moral decay.

Evocation of Emotions

• Viewer responses to depictions of poverty can vary between compassion and disgust, influenced by context and personal temperament.

• The portrayal of Jewish people triggers a call to contempt rather than compassion, which can lead to harmful societal implications.

Cultural Misunderstanding

• The film illustrates a perceived contradiction in Jewish business ethics, positioning non-Jewish moral frameworks as superior.

• It suggests that Jews engage in trade as a religious calling, contrasting with Aryan notions of productive labor and creativity.

Implicit Messages in Propaganda

• Throughout the film, there is a recurring theme of Jews as parasites feeding off national decay, establishing a damaging narrative of blame.

• The historical context is discussed, linking Jewish migration patterns with economic exploitation throughout various nations.

Archetypes and Symbolism

• Order is aligned with sunlight, honesty, purity, while chaos is associated with decay, disgust, and transgression.

• The propaganda effectively uses archetypal symbols to manipulate public sentiment regarding social order and trade.

Contemporary Relevance

• Modern parallels are drawn with current political debates surrounding borders and nationalism, reflecting a continual cycle of fear and exclusion.

• Understanding the mechanics of propaganda is crucial to resist oversimplified ideologies that can lead to societal harm.

Conclusion

• The aftermath of such ideologies is historically dreadful, emphasizing the necessity for balanced discourse to avoid extreme political swings that divide societies.