Harry Mulisch’s The Assault Analysis

This analysis examines Harry Mulisch’s novel The Assault, focusing on its thematic depth, narrative structure, and enduring relevance for readers interested in the complexities of historical memory and individual responsibility.

Who This Is For

• Readers interested in post-war Dutch literature and its engagement with historical trauma.
• Individuals seeking a nuanced exploration of how personal identity is shaped by collective historical events.

What to Check First

• Historical Context: Understanding the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II is crucial for grasping the novel’s setting and thematic underpinnings.
• Narrative Structure: The novel employs a fragmented, non-linear approach, reflecting the fractured nature of memory and the protagonist’s search for truth.
• Thematic Core: The central themes revolve around guilt, complicity, memory, and the search for meaning in the face of overwhelming historical events.
• Protagonist’s Journey: Anton Steenwijk’s life is irrevocably altered by a single act of violence, making his personal journey a microcosm of broader societal reckoning.

Step-by-Step Analysis of The Assault by Harry Mulisch

This section details the key elements for understanding the narrative and thematic progression within The Assault.

1. Initial Event & Its Immediate Aftermath: Analyze the pivotal moment of the shooting of the German soldier and Anton’s father’s subsequent involvement.

• Action: Identify the characters and their motivations during the initial incident.
• What to Look For: The stark contrast between the act and its disproportionate, brutal reprisal by the German forces.
• Mistake: Assuming the event is a simple act of wartime resistance without considering the ripple effects.

2. Anton’s Childhood Trauma and Suppression: Examine how Anton’s early experiences of loss and fear shape his adult life.

• Action: Trace Anton’s emotional development and his attempts to compartmentalize the past.
• What to Look For: The recurring nightmares and the subconscious weight of unaddressed trauma.
• Mistake: Underestimating the psychological impact of early childhood trauma on long-term identity formation.

3. The Role of Complicity and Silence: Investigate the various forms of complicity present in the novel, from direct action to passive acceptance.

• Action: Identify instances where characters engage in or witness morally ambiguous actions.
• What to Look For: The pervasive atmosphere of silence and the unspoken agreements that allowed the occupation to continue.
• Mistake: Focusing solely on overt acts of collaboration and overlooking the subtler forms of moral compromise.

4. Anton’s Adult Life and the Search for Connection: Analyze Anton’s relationships and his attempts to build a normal life despite his past.

• Action: Observe Anton’s interactions with his wife, children, and colleagues.
• What to Look For: The underlying tension and avoidance of discussing the war and its implications.
• Mistake: Believing that Anton has successfully escaped his past simply by living a seemingly conventional life.

5. The Reappearance of Key Figures and Symbols: Examine the narrative’s use of recurring characters and motifs.

• Action: Note the re-emergence of Saskia, Fake Ploeg, and the significance of the piano.
• What to Look For: How these elements serve as catalysts for Anton’s confrontation with his memories.
• Mistake: Dismissing these recurrences as mere plot devices rather than integral components of the thematic exploration.

6. The Confrontation with Guilt and Absolution: Analyze the novel’s climax and its exploration of collective and individual guilt.

• Action: Assess the final encounters and Anton’s eventual understanding of the events.
• What to Look For: The complex nature of blame and the possibility of finding a form of peace.
• Mistake: Seeking a simple, cathartic resolution to the profound moral and historical questions raised.

7. The Legacy of Memory: Evaluate the novel’s broader message about how societies and individuals grapple with traumatic histories.

• Action: Consider the novel’s lasting impact and its commentary on historical revisionism.
• What to Look For: The idea that understanding the past, however painful, is essential for present and future well-being.
• Mistake: Assuming that historical events, once past, are easily forgotten or neatly resolved.

Common Myths About The Assault by Harry Mulisch

This section addresses common misconceptions that readers may hold about the novel, providing a more accurate understanding.

• Myth: The novel is solely a historical account of World War II atrocities.
• Why it Matters: This view limits the novel’s scope, overlooking its deeper psychological and philosophical dimensions.
• Fix: Recognize that while set against a historical backdrop, The Assault is primarily a character study exploring individual responses to trauma and collective memory.

To fully appreciate the nuanced exploration of historical memory and individual responsibility in Harry Mulisch’s The Assault, it’s essential to have a copy of the novel itself. This edition offers a compelling narrative that delves deep into the aftermath of war.

Die Entdeckung des Himmels

• Audible Audiobook
• Harry Mulisch (Author) - Udo Samel, Jochen Striebeck, Beate Himmelstoß (Narrators)
• German (Publication Language)
• 01/14/2011 (Publication Date) - Der Hörverlag (Publisher)

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• Myth: Anton Steenwijk is a passive victim throughout the narrative.
• Why it Matters: This interpretation diminishes Anton’s internal journey and his eventual, albeit complex, agency.
• Fix: Acknowledge that Anton’s struggle is an internal one, a gradual process of confronting and integrating his past, which is an active, albeit often arduous, endeavor.

• Myth: The novel offers a straightforward judgment of blame and responsibility.
• Why it Matters: Such a view simplifies the moral ambiguities Mulisch masterfully weaves into the narrative.
• Fix: Appreciate the novel’s exploration of nuanced guilt, where responsibility is shared and often inherited, rather than assigned to single individuals or groups.

Expert Tips for Analyzing The Assault by Harry Mulisch

These insights offer practical guidance for readers seeking a deeper engagement with the novel’s complexities.

• Tip: Pay close attention to Mulisch’s use of symbolism.
• Actionable Step: Keep a running list of recurring symbols (e.g., the piano, the ice, the swastika) and note their appearance in different contexts.
• Common Mistake to Avoid: Treating symbols as mere decorative elements rather than integral components of the narrative’s thematic structure.

• Tip: Consider the fragmented narrative structure as a thematic element.
• Actionable Step: Map out the timeline of events as Anton recalls them, noting the leaps and gaps, and reflect on how this mirrors his psychological state.
• Common Mistake to Avoid: Becoming frustrated by the non-linear progression and failing to see it as a deliberate technique to convey the nature of memory.

• Tip: Compare Anton’s experience to broader Dutch post-war narratives.
• Actionable Step: Research contemporary accounts or literary works from the same period to understand the collective atmosphere of grappling with the war.
• Common Mistake to Avoid: Isolating Anton’s story from the larger historical and cultural context of post-war Netherlands.

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FAQ

• Q: What is the primary historical event that triggers the novel’s plot?

A: The novel is triggered by the shooting of a German soldier during the occupation of the Netherlands in World War II, which leads to the brutal reprisal of Anton Steenwijk’s family and home.

• Q: How does the novel explore the concept of guilt?

A: The Assault examines guilt on multiple levels: individual guilt for actions taken, collective guilt for societal complicity or inaction, and inherited guilt passed down through generations.

• Q: Is The Assault a purely autobiographical work?

A: While inspired by real events and Mulisch’s own experiences and observations during the war, the novel is a work of fiction that uses Anton Steenwijk’s story to explore broader themes.

• Q: What makes the narrative structure of The Assault significant?

A: The fragmented and non-linear structure mirrors the protagonist Anton’s fractured memory and his struggle to piece together the truth of his past, making the form integral to the content.

• Q: Who was the author, Harry Mulisch?

A: Harry Mulisch (1927-2010) was a prominent Dutch author, known for his philosophical novels that often explored themes of history, identity, and the human behavior.

• Q: Does the novel offer a clear resolution or moral lesson?

A: No, the novel deliberately avoids simple answers. It offers a complex exploration of moral ambiguity and the enduring weight of history, suggesting that understanding, rather than simple absolution, is the key takeaway.

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