The second speaker talked about the Daughters of the American Revolution, and how they were an example of patriotic feminism.  She argued that this group was an example of feminism, much unlike their progressive counterpart, because they used their influence and power as women to uplift men instead of uplifting themselves.  I think that her argument was well-founded, and provided a less liberal take on the feminist movement, which is not often found.

The last speaker, presented her thesis on how Disney films have re-invented the gender roles of classic fairy tales to fit their own ideals about a woman’s role and the definition of femininity.  Although somewhat interesting, the topic seemed almost too obvious, and has been researched to great length; I feel like the speaker did not add anything to the literature on the subject.  However, I do believe it would be important to discuss the role Disney has played throughout American history by perhaps looking into the actual effects it has had on the youths that grew up watching their many hits–perhaps through journals, public opinion polls, etc.  This sort of research would provide more meaningful evidence that could better convince the audience of Disney’s impact, rather than relying on supposed common knowledge.

My hypothesis is consistent with my original proposal– that certain events caused him to defy Hitler and begin campaigning against him.  My research so far has verified that things such as his involvement in an illegal youth group and his witnessing of treatment toward the Jews caused him to break from the Nazi Party.  I have not yet decided whether his confrontation with the cadre leader was significant enough to make him rebel.  My question:  what is the cause of resistance?  I hope that I will get more insight as I continue reading.

My research so far has provided a number of primary and secondary sources.  I think the most notable primary sources are the translated leaflets of the White Rose.  These leaflets served as the main venue for their resistance and represent the core of their beliefs.  I have also come across newspaper articles, a radio broadcast transcript, transcripts on the indictment and sentencing of members, the personal diaries and letters of Hans and Sophie Scholl—two main members of the group, and the memoirs of Inge Scholl, Hans’ and Sophie’s sister, recounting her knowledge of the group and its activities.  Another great source is the essay of a surviving member of the White Rose, George J. Wittenstein.  I am still trying to locate the interrogation records, which I feel would be very useful for to my research.

I have found four journal articles and five books on my topic.  One book, Sophie Scholl & The White Rose, by Annette Dumbach and Jud Newborn, was written by two German authors who reconstructed the story of Sophie Scholl, a main member of the group.  The book contains many important primary sources and had an extensively helpful bibliography.  I have also come across the book Shattering the German Night, also written by Annette Dumbach, yet this book is an account of the group as a whole, instead of a focus on one member.  A journal article I found, The White Rose and the Definition of Resistance, argues the importance of Hans and Sophie Scholl in German history.  This source could be helpful in determining the effects the group had on the German people.  This research description is incomplete, but I hope it gives you some idea of the sources I have found thus far.

Through my research, I hope to answer some questions concerning the nature of the group and its effects on the students and professors at the University.  Such questions include:  What inspired them to unite in defiance of Hitler’s Germany?  Were they motivated by religion, politics, philosophy, or guilt?  How many members were involved with this group?  How did they write and distribute their leaflets without being caught?  When were they caught?  Were the leaflets their only venue?  In discovering the answers to these questions  I hope to help  others realize that although an overwhelming number of Germans were convinced by Nazi indoctrination, there were those that stood up to the evils of the Nazi agenda, risking their lives to spread truth throughout Germany.