White Savior in Jojo Rabbit
It's been a while since I've seen Jojo Rabbit (2019). From what I can remember, the film takes place through the events in Germany during WW II. We follow ten-year-old Jojo as he learns to become a Nazi. Jojo is heavily influenced by several characters which include: his Mom, his Friend, a Jewish Girl, and his imaginary friend Hitler. It'll be interesting to analyze this film since we're dealing with a complex situation. Before we can start, we must clear up some aspects of the "White Savior".
It seems that white saviors are different from white non-racist people. The Take explains how white saviors go out of their way to help out minority groups. Films and shows that use a white savior suggest that meaningful change is best done by a white figure. Although a white savior isn't meant to be bad, the implications suggest that only a white person can fix another group's situation. It can even be argued that white saviors aren't effective because these white characters take in more screen time, they have better lives, and they solve a smaller problem as opposed to the minority group. In short, the white savior seems to have more control, yet manages to be ineffective in solving the wider issue. On the other side, white non-racists help out minority groups without taking the spotlight as the race to solve their problem. It's good to have a white ally, but the white ally shouldn't be the main lead towards fixing others' problems.
Let's assume (or accept) that Jojo was a white savior. Since it's WW II, it's obvious that Jojo would be saving the Jews from the Nazi party. In this alternative situation, Elsa would be the only Jew saved by Jojo. American soldiers would have still liberated Germany, though Jojo succeeded in saving Elsa. Story-wise, Jojo saved Elsa from start to finish. Though, in retrospect, Jojo managed to save only one Jew from all other Jews. Jojo may have saved one Jew, but the American soldiers would have saved all other Jews who survived under Nazi rule. Jojo may have saved one person, but did we need Jojo for Elsa to survive? We do know that Jojo could have turned in Elsa at any time, but he didn't. I don't remember Elsa's exact situation, though I do think that Elsa could have survived on her own if Jojo hadn't found her. It might have been more boring and uneventful for her, but she'd probably be fine on her own. It's important to remember that Elsa is still a minority. She may be white, but she's also Jewish, thus wanted by the Nazi party. It sounds strange to consider a group of white people as part of a minority, though WW II managed to separate the same race into a system of superiority.
Sources:
(Vid.) "The White Savior Trope, Explained" - The Take: https://youtu.be/w1vuhrFfEkE
(Wiki) Jojo Rabbit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jojo_Rabbit
(IMDb) Jojo Rabbit: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2584384/
(Pic.) Jojo Rabbit Poster: https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/jojo-rabbit
(Pic.) Chess Pieces: https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/chess-racism-chess-board-chess-piece
(Pic.) Jojo and Hitler: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/springtime-for-nazis-how-the-satire-of-jojo-rabbit-backfires
(Pic.) Jojo and Elsa: https://www.screendaily.com/features/how-taika-waititi-made-jojo-rabbit-he-didnt-wait-for-anyone-to-give-him-permission/5145919.article
Hey Richard,
ReplyDeleteVery interesting analysis on the “white savior” trope for Jojo Rabbit! I have never seen the movie, but after reading your blog post I’m interested in watching it. The movie does seem like a tough one for finding the “white savior” trope. But I could see how Jojo can be the “white savior” in the film. He does help save (or not) Elsa, who is Jewish and is the minority in the film. Whether or not Elsa would be saved by Jojo not outing her remains to be seen, because she is an adult. But in your analysis’ universe I believe it’s safe to say Jojo was the “white savior”.
Hey Richard,
ReplyDeleteI found your post interesting. I have never seen the movie but it seem like something I would like to see. I think your analysis of how a white savior takes more time on screen than any other characters is just right on point. Its true that fils only set this white characters to be set as the saviors. I do think there isn't anything wrong with the white saviors, but I think it takes some focus away from the real problem that some characters are facing. I the movie you said that Elsa was running away from the nazis and that was the real problem back then. Jews were persecuted and captures to be put in camps. I found your analysis on how Jojo is the white savior. It make sense even though he was able to save one person doesn't mean that he is bad. Although as you mentioned you believe that Elsa would have saved herself. I think it would been interesting to see what she would have done in order to save herself.
Jojo Rabbit is a hilarious and heartwarming movie. I think I agree with you that Jojo himself is a white savior in the story. By extension I think all the supporting characters are. His mother and the people that work for her are all secretly at the very least anti war. None of them seem to subscribe to the propaganda like Jojo does, which is purposely and probably accurately ridiculously portrayed for laughs. The film very much makes a separation between good whites and racist whites even among the Germans themselves. I also think it’s funny that his imaginary Hitler is played by the director, Taika Waititi, whom I believe has Maori origin. The most racist character is visually the least White. I think the film is more about overcoming prejudices by learning to communicate with one another, so most of the racial issues are absorbed by the ridiculous hitler character. That way we can try to emphasize with the rest of the “good nazis.”
ReplyDeleteHey Richard,
ReplyDeleteI found your post on Jojo Rabbit's take on the "white savior" stereotype to be fascinating. You mention that Elsa would have been able to save herself, but we're never really shown that she is capable of it. Sure, this would make Jojo the "White Savior" protagonist, but it doesn't necessarily mean he is showing his superiority. Personally, I've never seen the film, but after reading your post, I'm now curious to see it.