"Boy on the Hilltop"
It is not the innocence and naivety that lead me towards darkness, but rather the changes in the environment and the distortion of truth.
4/13/2023 Articles By Sarah
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"Near red, one becomes red; near black, one becomes black." This is a well-known saying that highlights the significant influence of one's environment, and there are numerous vivid examples in life that demonstrate this truth. As highly developed beings, especially as adults, humans possess the ability to exercise caution and discern between right and wrong. However, for a newly bloomed flower, emerging from the soil and lacking exposure to the dualities of the world, can it resist being tainted by a polluted environment? The protagonist of this book, Piero (Pietro), may perhaps provide an answer to this question.
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Under the looming shadow of the impending Second World War, the protagonist, Piero, was once a young boy with a complete family. However, fate cruelly deprived him of a blissful life and took away his parents at a tender age. A seven-year-old boy should have been able to enjoy his childhood carefree like any other child, experiencing the wonders of the world. Yet, Piero uncontrollably embarked on a path deviating from the right trajectory of his life.
A flower, untouched and nurtured with care, lost its vibrant hues. After the successive departure of his parents, Piero faced numerous hardships and eventually arrived at the castle where his only relative, his aunt, resided. When he discovered that the owner of the castle was none other than Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party, the seeds of Nazi ideology had already infiltrated the innocent and kind-hearted boy.
During the days of Hitler's return, Piero initially struggled to adapt to everything around him, even refusing to accept a sudden new name bestowed upon him—Pietro. When he finally embraced the name Pietro, it signified that "he had been completely consumed by Nazi ideology."
Several years later, Piero, influenced by Hitler's words and actions, joined the Hitler Youth. Ultimately, he embraced the identity of Pietro and dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the revival of Germany under the leadership of Hitler.
A flower that had never witnessed the duality of the world now experienced it firsthand, becoming tainted itself.
It is difficult to fathom what Hitler did to him, and it leads us to ponder whether Piero's fate would have been different had he never set foot in that castle. Unfortunately, in this world, the realm of "what if" does not exist.
In the final chapters of the story, a 16-year-old Pietro witnesses the beginning and end of World War II. As he sees scenes of destruction, craters, and corpses strewn about when the war comes to a close, a mixture of sadness and hatred surges within him. Sadness stems from realizing that he has been nothing but a puppet manipulated by Hitler, while hatred arises from disappointment in his own actions and deep remorse towards the innocent people sacrificed on the battlefield.
In reality, when we look around us, whether it be in school or society, we encounter various types of individuals. When we find ourselves in unfamiliar environments, the ability to distinguish right from wrong is one of the best tools for self-protection. Approaching strangers with a guarded mindset is a means to safeguard ourselves. It is akin to a drop of ink falling onto a white paper, leaving only a subtle mark. However, if the entire bottle of ink spills and contaminates, irreparable destruction follows.
When dealing with those who offer goodwill, we should reciprocate with the same kindness. When encountering strangers, we must avoid becoming the puppet manipulated by others because the power of words is unimaginable.
Book recommendation: "The Boy at the Top of the Mountain" by John Boyne.
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