Hertha Nathorff’s life story can be seen as a revealing example of the fate of the other Jewish families in Germany during the Nazi era. Through the diary of Hertha Nathorff it is possible to get to know her personal impression, which concerns this period of time. The diary also shows the circumstances under which those German Jews who managed to escape the Nazi regime had to live and the agony that accompanied their decision to leave Germany. Finally, it provides information about the problems encountered by the exiled German Jews. For Hertha Nathorff, her diary was a refuge that enabled her to process the most difficult moments in her life and not to give up hope for her existence. The aim of the article is to illustrate the special role of keeping diaries in the period of dehumanization. It should show the special importance of keeping a diary in the process of maintaining one’s own identity and strengthening one’s self.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.