The paradoxical poetry of Fascism

Page 38 passage- Raymond Lu

Within the passage, Mulisch compares light and darkness to elucidate the paradoxical relationship between the Rebels and Fascists. Mulisch tackles this seemingly insurmountable obstacle by writing, "Hate is darkness...no good. And yet we've got to hate the Fascists...we hate them in the name of light...We hate hate itself...our hate is better"(38). Mulisch suggests that hate is justified when it is done in the name of light; he asserts that sin is acceptable when done for a noble cause, "we hate in the name of light". The author warns, however, that one must take the higher road, else he or she may become no better than the enemy; such is the danger that occurs when one "hates in the name of love". In spite of this, the narrator still concedes that one must," become a little bit like them in order to fight them--so we become a little bit unlike ourselves"(38). Thus, a paradox is created: it is good to hate Fascism, and bad to be a fascist, yet through the development of one's hate, one becomes a fascist. In other words, one must be willing to hate what one will become. Mulisch also uses particular syntactical structures to emphasize the tone of the passage- passionate, filled with conviction. In particular, Mulisch writes, " How is that possible? It's because we hate them...our hate is better"(38). The rhetorical question is used to demonstrate the woman's faith in belief the rebellion cause, as the doubt created is immediately repudiated- there is no hesitation or uncertainty. This tone is antonymous to that of the previous paragraph, wherein which the narrator constantly contradicts herself, " Light, yes, but light is not...I mean...no, I mean...You could...Maybe"(38). Thus, Mulisch's use of specific metaphors and syntactical structures furthers the reader's understanding of the passage.