J. Goebbels Character Analysis in The Man in the High Castle

Goebbels has gone down in history for his frighteningly effective work as the head of Nazi propaganda; he is known as the “sole intellectual” of the party. The novel imagines that Goebbels is among the many high-ranking Nazis scrambling to replace Chancellor Bormann. Due to a well-timed, powerful radio speech, Goebbels is initially successful in rising to become the new leader. However, Baynes and other members of the Abwehr faction of dissident Germans are against Goebbels, because Goebbels is in support of Operation Dandelion. Goebbels is the only prominent European Nazi to intervene directly in the Pacific States, which he does (via Reiss) to try to apprehend Baynes.

J. Goebbels Character Timeline in The Man in the High Castle

The timeline below shows where the character J. Goebbels appears in The Man in the High Castle. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Moral Ambiguity and Forgiveness Theme Icon

The next candidate is J. Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda officer: “elegant. Educated. Highly capable.” Goebbels, “the sole intellectual” of the Nazi... (full context)

...leaves, the other trade representative opines that the best candidates are probably von Schirach and Goebbels, and that Heydrich and Seyss-Inquart are among the worst. But the Japanese government fears and... (full context)

...to make imagined events seem real. He moves on to another scene, in which Hitler, Goebbels and the rest of the high-ranking Nazis are being tried for their crimes at Berlin.... (full context)

...not worth it to focus on Abendsen. Instead, he turns on the radio to hear Goebbels’s speech. (full context)

Baynes reads in the Nippon Times that Dr. Goebbels has been named the new leader of the Nazi party; his wildly popular radio speech... (full context)

Reiss gets a phone call from an unknown source; it turns out to be Goebbels himself, calling to emphasize the necessity of capturing Wegener. Without any other option, Reiss gives... (full context)

...has been delayed by Bormann’s death. Baynes also tells Tedeki that certain powerful Nazis, including Goebbels, are in favor of Operation Dandelion. However, Heydrich—one of the most feared Nazis—is against Dandelion.... (full context)

...rather, Heydrich is still alive and is using Wegener to try to strengthen himself against Goebbels. (full context)

Wegener’s temporary relief is cut short when he reflects that even though Goebbels may lose power, the alternative—Heydrich—is not much better. “We can only control the end by... (full context)

The “blackshirts” begin to criticize Goebbels for the mob mentality he has stirred up. Wegener hopes that the competing factions of... (full context)