During my reading of Witness to an Extreme Century, I noticed several occasions where Lifton speaks directly about the impact that his research will have. These moments stood out to me because--like many other readers, I'm sure--it amazed me to see that he could continue his work in the face of such death and destruction, encountering the evils of the world on a near daily basis. But I saw that through all of his difficulties, whether emotional or research-related, he knew that writing his book would make everything worth it in the end. In writing his books, Lifton gives himself the final say on the matter. He can look back over his interviews and shape the words into substantial commentary that has the power to incite change, action, and awareness.
For example, Lifton speaks of his mixed emotions during his meetings with the Nazi doctors. On the one hand, he knows that he must be civil and work together with them to accomplish the interviews, yet on the other hand, he is angered and horrified by the stories that they tell. It is such a strange situation, and just thinking about it is staggering. He even explains how he felt compromised because he acted so politely to their Nazi host during a social gathering. But again, he uses his book as a means of gaining some control and power over the situation. He states: "Again I told myself that my planned book--having the ultimate say--justified our behavior, but that did not prevent me from feeling unclean in connection with this 'socializing'" (277). In this way, Lifton shows that even though he was in an uneasy situation and had to act in a manner that did not align with his conscience, he knew that this was the only way to gain the information that would allow him his final say in the end.
On another level, writing his novels becomes a way for Lifton to exorcise his personal demons. One example deals with his research. In preparation to write his book, Lifton places the interview files on the desk in his study. This causes his previously welcoming writing space to turn into a part of his home that he does not even want to enter. He explains, "Only by writing that book could I get them out of my study" (332). Here, Lifton's research has invaded his personal life on a tangible level, and he combats this development by writing his book.
As a final note, I think of the advice he received from Mary Wright:
For example, Lifton speaks of his mixed emotions during his meetings with the Nazi doctors. On the one hand, he knows that he must be civil and work together with them to accomplish the interviews, yet on the other hand, he is angered and horrified by the stories that they tell. It is such a strange situation, and just thinking about it is staggering. He even explains how he felt compromised because he acted so politely to their Nazi host during a social gathering. But again, he uses his book as a means of gaining some control and power over the situation. He states: "Again I told myself that my planned book--having the ultimate say--justified our behavior, but that did not prevent me from feeling unclean in connection with this 'socializing'" (277). In this way, Lifton shows that even though he was in an uneasy situation and had to act in a manner that did not align with his conscience, he knew that this was the only way to gain the information that would allow him his final say in the end.
On another level, writing his novels becomes a way for Lifton to exorcise his personal demons. One example deals with his research. In preparation to write his book, Lifton places the interview files on the desk in his study. This causes his previously welcoming writing space to turn into a part of his home that he does not even want to enter. He explains, "Only by writing that book could I get them out of my study" (332). Here, Lifton's research has invaded his personal life on a tangible level, and he combats this development by writing his book.
As a final note, I think of the advice he received from Mary Wright:
I know how intensely committed you are to your political protest against the Vietnam War and against nuclear weapons . . . But I want to point out to you very strongly that if you had done nothing but protest, you could not have written Death in Life. And writing that book and others like it has much more importance for the world, and much more influence in the directions you desire, than does any political action you may take. (162)Lifton takes this advice to heart, and, in retrospect, we realize just how prophetic this advice really was.
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