Michael (autobiography)

Michael was a semi-autobiographical novel authored by the German propagandist Dr. Joseph Goebbels and published in 1929.

Plot

In a diary form the story follows the journey of Michael, a fictional character who represents a young Joseph Goebbels. At the beginning of the novel Michael has just returned home from service in The Great War. He finds a new democratic Germany which invoke feelings of both love and hate. Throughout the novel Michael wrestles with this mix of nationalist pride and anger towards the Wiemar Germany and he explores his personal philosophy and belief system.

Political Commentary

The book emphases the socialist ideals held by Goebbels' early in his political career, ideals he later abandoned after meeting Adolf Hitler.

Religious Commentary

In the novel Goebbels gives praise to Christianity, himself a Roman Catholic, and describes Jesus as one of the finest men to have ever lived. He also demonstrates his early socialist sympathies when he stated that Germans had to be "something like Christ Socialists" ["Michael", Joseph Goebbels, Amok Press, 38-40] The book also explores nature of God and the contemporary man: "modern man...is intrinsically a seeker of God, perhaps a Christ-man." ["Michael", Joseph Goebbels, Amok Press, 48-59]

Historical Analysis

Joseph Goebbels' biographer, the historian Fest suggests that "Michael" sheds light on Goebbels' state of mind and self-
Fest, "The Face of the Third Reich", 88]

References