The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

Analysis & Response 89 Sophie Scholl: The Final Days: Ebert Versus Rainer In Regard To Sophie’s Choice Jess Elder Jess Elder is a junior English major at Cedarville University, minoring in literature, editing & publishing, and Bible. Having written this essay as a freshman, Jess has already seen her writing skills develop and grow. Her future plans include graduate school, with hopes to one day work in the field of publishing or library science, dealing with rare books and manuscripts. From Cincinnati, Ohio, Jess enjoys reading, hiking, and walking her two Scottish Terriers. The room is large and square, messy yet not unorganized. A sizable mahogany desk serves as the focal point of the space, fixed in the center of the room. Various papers and documents litter the smooth surface of the desk, illuminated by a small lamp. A pearly white porcelain sink is attached to the back wall. Crowded bookcases stifle the room. Seated in front of the mahogany desk is a young girl in a dull red sweater. Lank brown hair frames her round and pale face, which is set in determined disinterest. Her small white hands are clasped tightly in her lap. Her large, doe-like eyes are fixed on the man standing behind the desk. His hands are splayed menacingly across the surface as he leans toward her, his mustache quivering slightly in frustration. His jaw is set, his brow drawn together in deep thought. His dark, sleek hair is coifed perfectly, not a strand out of place. His uniform is absent of creases. Clearly, this man lives and breathes for order, as much as the girl seated in front of him lives for freedom and other similar ideals. Girl and man are at an impasse. Much of the essence of Sophie Scholl: The Final Days is portrayed through the many interrogation scenes between Sophie and Mohr. Many film critics have remarked on this fact, such as Peter Rainer of The Christian Science Monitor and the acclaimed Roger Ebert.