Representing the "good German" in literature and culture after 1945

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In the aftermath of World War II, both the Allied occupying forces and emerging German authorities sought to identify Germans whose wartime actions could challenge the perception of Germans as inherently evil. This quest has continued, leading to a rise in cultural portrayals of the "good German," contrasting with committed Nazis and perpetrators of genocide. These representations emphasize individual choices favoring dissent, moral truth, or civil disobedience. While the existence of "good Germans" does not negate the horrors of Hitler's regime, it reflects a value system rooted in humanity and an alternative vision of community. This collection of essays examines postwar and contemporary portrayals of "good Germans" during the Third Reich, delving into the moral reasoning, cultural relativism, and social conformity depicted in these narratives. It brings together discussions on the role and perception of "good Germans" both in Germany and internationally. Contributors include Eoin Bourke, Manuel Bragança, Maeve Cooke, and others, with insights into the complexities of moral behavior in a historical context. Pól O Dochartaigh and Christiane Schönfeld lead the academic contributions, providing a scholarly framework for understanding these representations.