Romance in A Minor Key is a Major Ploy

Unfortunately for those in the audience of movie theaters during the reign of the Third Reich. There was no separation between propaganda and "unpolitical entertainment", despite arguments Silberman discusses in his article about Romance In A Minor Key. Keeping in mind the complete control National Socialists had on all media concerning Germany, regardless of the seemingly harmless film, there are many elements that regard towards typical paternalistic stereotypes in the film. It is simply a "literary adaptation, dramatic melodrama..." (81) instead of a clear film shouting ideas at its audience. Madeline's characterization as a woman who "demands accountability and an unwavering sense of propriety and virtue" (82) correlates with the Germans brainwashing of women at an early age, changing them to think that being "hyper-feminine" like the Western world did not bode well in the harsh climate of Germany. She shows the personality and values of a German woman raised in the Third Reich as she does not accept Michael's proposal due to her loyalty to her husband. An example of the film not literally throwing information at you, but characterizing a main individual in the film as a product of German civilization is a sly way of proposing ideas to viewers. Madeline's husband represents National Socialism by his upstanding position, being a hard worker, and coming home to his "obedient" but strong wife who waits on his arrival everyday. "Duty, honor, orderliness, and status are the obsessions of his authoritative personality," (85) which are specific adjectives describing the goals of achievement by the Third Reich. However, his "physical, social, and emotional prison" (83) he has kept Madeline in represents the hold the Third Reich has on their women, allowing them to believe they have freedom, and power, only to realize they are always second class citizens to their husbands. The aregument on "the right to be happy," (91) is one that has frequented discussion on the position of women within the Third Reich. Why is it that Madeline feels the need to commit suicide to escape the prison she feels is her life? This might explain why the film was the only one to receive such critical acclaim as a foreign film because it had such subliminal messages from within the lives of those living in the Third Reich. It may have not been promoting how great and wonderful Germany was, like Ufi (Nazi production company) wanted, however there definitely was a message and it was clearly seen to all those who cared to understand it.