The Controversy of Bettelheim

This chapter critically examines Bruno Bettelheim's claims about his experiences during WWII, focusing on the skepticism they invoke, particularly from the Jewish community. It explores his influence on Holocaust representation in cinema, especially the film 'Sophie's Choice,' and scrutinizes his psychoanalytic interpretations that may distort the realities faced by camp inmates. The chapter raises ethical concerns about his manipulative narratives and the implications they hold for Holocaust scholarship and the understanding of anti-Semitism.