Essay Sample about Marie Rose-Gineste

Elie Wiesel had said “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” Statements such as these put into perspective the idea that to make an impact in the world, one must be willing to take on the more globally problematic issues at hand. Breaking one’s silence could be daunting, but speaking out and making an impact by showing awareness is what is necessary to show changes in the world. With this in mind, Marie-Rose Gineste regretted being a bystander against the prejudice of the Jews; thus, she decided to help the Jews by hiding them in monasteries. 

Just a social worker, Gineste had little to no idea of the true nature of her surroundings. In “Marie Rose-Gineste” from My Hero Stories, introduces that Marie-Rose Gineste was born in a village near Montauban, France in 1911. She later became much more religious since her parents were both Catholics. Gineste had helped her parents who were peasants with their work until she was twenty years old. Gineste and her family had moved to Montauban when a flood occurred. In Montaubon, she had learned how to sew and became a seamstress. (My Hero Stories) Leading to not knowing what was happening around her, Gineste later became inspired to get involved.   

Due to her regret for being a bystander to the atrocities committed to the Jews, Marie-Rose Gineste decided to stand up for what she believed was right and risk her life to save Jewish lives. Yad Vashem the world holocaust remembrance center outlines that around Montauban with the help from underground members and Jewish friends, Gineste sheltered Jewish people in monasteries. With sheltering Jewish people Gineste felt a weight lifted off her shoulders from all the regret by being a bystander.  Ester Fuchs,” Gender and Holocaust Docudramas: Gentile Heroines in Rescue Films” illustrates that Marie-Rose apologizes for small antisemitic beliefs she carried during her life, as well as the fact that she had never met Jews before. Seeing the discrimination of Jews shifts Ginsete’s perspective of the world and who she helps. 

Because of her feats, Marie Rose-Gineste bravely took the consequences for all the lives she saved. Gineste’s extensive activities put her in a position of constant danger, she induced suspicions of Montauban police, who had later arrested her and questioned her firmly. (Yad Vashem the world holocaust remembrance center) The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation, reveals that Marie-Rose was followed for eight days but, due to lack of evidence and their declaration of innocence, they never faced any serious implications.

Sheltering Jews from the public eye, Gineste completely shifted her focus in life after discovering what the Germans had done. “...I didn’t know they were exterminating people [she knew the Jews were being taken to Germany but was unaware of their holocaust], not until after the war. But I did see children torn from their parents.” (The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation) Not knowing of her surroundings, seeing children taken from their families caused Gineste determined to become an upstander by protecting Jewish lives. “Gineste was involved in every stage of the production process… and delivered the final products to those in need—Jews in hiding, underground activists, and American airmen who had bailed out in the area.” (Yad Vashem the world holocaust remembrance center) Being a part of the production process had made Gineste feel included with helping the Jews in hiding; for she become more aware of her surroundings and involved with her community. 

Overall, Marie-Rose Gineste lamented being a bystander against the bias of the Jews; hence, she chose to assist the Jews by covering up them in religious communities. Her desire to get involved and make a positive contribution to society was the start of her call to action.