„If it crosses the threshold, the response is laughter...” Antisemitism as sniffing out Cover Image

"Po przekroczeniu tego progu zaczyna się królestwo śmiechu..." Antysemityzm jako wywąchiwanie
„If it crosses the threshold, the response is laughter...” Antisemitism as sniffing out

Author(s): Piotr Weiser
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Instytut Badań Literackich Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Antisemitism; Sniffing; Smell; National socialism

Summary/Abstract: The article suggests a peculiar interpretation of antisemitism as the ability to sniff. The production of a stench had been considered a Jewish quality for centuries. It elicited an aesthetic disgust, but enabled an identification of the enemy. Antisemites sniff out Jewish plots, and smell Jewish character. The tradition of a sensual antisemitism was perfected by Nazi ideologues. Sniffing out is thence accompanied by a belittlement of those sniffed out. Disinfection of the enemies was concluded with a burst of laughter. Legalized sniffing turns out to have caused unbridled amusement. The louder the laughter, the stronger the feeling that the killed merely resemble human beings.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 253-262
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Polish