Part 5: The White Rose, a musical concept recording

The White Rose Podcast

This episode presents a musical dramatization of the White Rose resistance movement in Nazi Germany. Through a seriesed of songs and dialogu

Key takeaways

• Sophie Scholl expresses a profound desire for academic independence in Munich despite her family's warnings of danger.
• Hans Scholl and Alexander Schmorell discuss the moral imperative to resist Hitler's expansionist war efforts.

Main topics

• The White Rose resistance
• Anti-Nazi activism

Notable quotes

Every individual conscious of his responsibility... must defend himself as best he can.

Conclusion

A moving tribute to the power of individual conscience against totalit

Transcript preview

Speaker 2 (13:49) In July 1943, the news of the executions reached over the German sender of the BBC. Hell, yet they were the last two people to be associated with each other in my Munich recollection. Against the background of war and Nazi atrocities. Alexander's father was our family doctor. I remember Alexander as I last saw him. He was 19. There seemed to emanate from his whole being a grave composedness and devoted to his work. For the sake of his passionate love of truthfulness, Huber could be dispassionately objective. I remember his skeptical smile when political issues were under discussion, his reticence in pronouncing judgment in the transmission of the news. After the war, I made contact with Professor Huber's sister. I promised her I would do something about the case of the White Rose. This promise weighs on my conscience. Speaker 3 (17:41) To the members of the wha- For Speaker 4 (21:39) two years I was trapped and I couldn't adapt to their story of what I am for. My mind is full of ideas of all the things I've been meaning to write. I will study all day, it will all feel like play. I can finally live and know just by night. Speaker 4 (22:11) I've been coddled and sheltered The quiet strange girl who watches and waits My time to show what Don't underestimate me Just wait till I have my degrees Once to come out A whisper or maybe a song Life will finally start I've been stifled for so long But now things are changing I'm finally free as a bird I have so much to say It's time for my voice to be heard Speaker 2 (23:11) Sophie, you're back. What a wonderful surprise. And on your birthday, tonight we'll celebrate. Mother, Speaker 4 (23:17) father, I've missed you. It is so good to be home. But I'm just here to get my things. I'm going to Munich to start my classes at the university. Come Speaker 7 (23:27) now, you've only just arrived. Sophie, Speaker 4 (23:30) won't you stay Speaker 7 (23:32) for a while? No, Speaker 5 (23:34) father, I Speaker 3 (23:35) can't. Sophie, you've been gone. So very long. I know, Mother, but... Speaker 7 (23:40) Sophie, Speaker 3 (23:41) we love Speaker 4 (23:42) you. Sophie, we miss you. No, I've gotta go. Speaker 7 (23:50) Sophie, what's the rush? Speaker 4 (23:53) Father, you don't understand. My life has been wasting away. Speaker 4 (24:00) For two years nothing has happened to me Each second has lasted a week Any solace I'd find would be just in my mind I'd pretend to be next to the creek I'd imagine the stars shining above Sending me patience and guidance and love As I counted each miserable day Wishing I could just fly away. I'd tell myself, Sophie, your life is a song. And one day you'll hear it play. Speaker 7 (24:43) Stay, such a child. Stay right here where you belong. Speaker 3 (24:50) Stay, I will teach you to cook. And then you'll sing your own song. Speaker 4 (25:01) Let me be someone that I will respect Father, there's no time to lose It's my future I want to protect Speaker 7 (25:16) Sophie, it's more dangerous each day. Sophie, that's why we want you to stay. Hans is in Munich, your mother's not well. Our little town is safer, from what I can tell. Just wait a little longer, just be our little Sophie. Soon you'll have your turn to play. Father, you're not hearing Speaker 4 (25:44) me. I know the world is dangerous. I know I must watch what I say. But I just want to be a student at last. I'll reach my potential that way. I'll be careful you don't need to fret about me. I promise I'll come back someday. But I know that I can't be held still anymore. And that is why I've always known I had something to do to better myself to defend what is true. Speaker 4 (26:30) I don't want to wait, let me out of the gate To start my future today I promise you I'll be okay Who wants to come out? A whisper or maybe a song? My life will finally start I've been stifled, now is my time I'm finally free as a bird I've known all my life I have something to say I need my voice to be heard