Herman’s Resistance

The Plot Against America

Herman’s principled opposition to Lindbergh’s America moves from public argument to costly refusal and eventual flight.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Union Promotion Refused The Union Promotion Refused from "The Plot Against America". The Union Promotion Refused Opportunity and risk Herman declines a promotion that would require moving his Jewish family to Union.

The Union Promotion Refused from "The Plot Against America". The Union Promotion Refused Opportunity and risk Herman declines a promotion that would require moving his Jewish family to Union.

The Union Promotion Refused Opportunity and risk Herman declines a promotion that would require moving his Jewish family to Union. He fears isolation and the local presence of the German-American Bund more than he desires higher pay. A defining choice His refusal establishes the protective courage that later politics will test.

A Father’s Public Anger A Father’s Public Anger from "The Plot Against America". A Father’s Public Anger Political alarm After Charles A. Lindbergh’s nomination, Herman’s private concern becomes open anger.

A Father’s Public Anger from "The Plot Against America". A Father’s Public Anger Political alarm After Charles A. Lindbergh’s nomination, Herman’s private concern becomes open anger.

A Father’s Public Anger Political alarm After Charles A. Lindbergh’s nomination, Herman’s private concern becomes open anger. He argues with relatives and refuses to treat the nomination as a harmless campaign event. Family witness Philip learns that adults can be frightened and still insist on speaking.

The Hotel Confrontation The Hotel Confrontation from "The Plot Against America". The Hotel Confrontation Unequal treatment In Washington, the family loses its hotel room and Herman recognizes the episode as anti-Semitism.

The Hotel Confrontation from "The Plot Against America". The Hotel Confrontation Unequal treatment In Washington, the family loses its hotel room and Herman recognizes the episode as anti-Semitism.

The Hotel Confrontation Unequal treatment In Washington, the family loses its hotel room and Herman recognizes the episode as anti-Semitism. He demands police intervention, insisting that American law should protect his family. A brittle confidence The encounter weakens his faith that constitutional ideals reliably govern daily life.

The Relocation Refusal The Relocation Refusal from "The Plot Against America". The Relocation Refusal A corporate order Metropolitan Life assigns Herman’s family to Danville through Homestead 42.

The Relocation Refusal from "The Plot Against America". The Relocation Refusal A corporate order Metropolitan Life assigns Herman’s family to Danville through Homestead 42.

The Relocation Refusal A corporate order Metropolitan Life assigns Herman’s family to Danville through Homestead 42. He quits rather than accept a policy he sees as coercive and discriminatory. Material consequences His choice costs the household income and exposes the family to further scrutiny.

The Decision to Leave The Decision to Leave from "The Plot Against America". The Decision to Leave Resistance exhausted After violence reaches Newark and his family hides during a gun battle, Herman admits his judgment was wrong.

The Decision to Leave from "The Plot Against America". The Decision to Leave Resistance exhausted After violence reaches Newark and his family hides during a gun battle, Herman admits his judgment was wrong.

The Decision to Leave Resistance exhausted After violence reaches Newark and his family hides during a gun battle, Herman admits his judgment was wrong. He contacts Shepsie Tirschwell and begins arranging emigration to Canada. A painful conclusion Leaving becomes an act of survival rather than a rejection of America.

spring 1939

June 1940

June 1941

May 1942

October 1942