Otto Character Analysis

A young German and proud Nazi who briefly serves as Father’s apprentice, a few years before the war. During his time at the watch shop, Otto begins to abuse Christoffels with almost sociopathic violence, tripping him and even hitting him when he’s outside the safety of the Beje. Christoffels is too proud to tell Father, but when Otto smashes his nose Father discovers what’s been happening and fires Otto. Willem explains to the family that Otto’s behavior stems from the Nazi ethos, which denigrates the old and physically weak as “useless” to society. This episode is Corrie’s first encounter with Nazi intolerance.