Essay: Under a Cruel Star, What is Freedom?

Questions answered in Essay: What is Heda Kovaly's view on freedom, how does her views of freedom change, and how would I define freedom?

Heda Kovaly's autobiography Under a Cruel Star describes her life and yearning for freedom from 1941-1968. Kovaly was a very brave Jewish woman in Czechoslovakia during time of war and anti-Semitism. She experienced the worst of the Nazi regime and the downfalls of the communist party first hand. Through her incredibly tough experiences, Kovaly went through several emotional and ideological changes. Among her most notable changes was her definition of freedom. Heda Kovaly's view of freedom changed due to her experiences in the Nazi concentration camps and with her acceptance of Communism; from simply that freedom is a birthright, to freedom is being free from captivity, to freedom being something that may need to be given up to achieve the goals of your beliefs.

I define freedom as being in mental and physical control of one's life and livelihood and having the ability to determine one's destiny. My view of freedom would be considered a spoiled outlook on life compared to the definitions of freedom of those who lived through the Mid-20^th century in Eastern Europe. Through the eyes of Heda Kovaly, my definition of freedom would not be attainable easily if at all.

Kovaly's first reference to freedom in the book gives insight to her future mistake of accepting Communism and dedicating herself to the Communist Party. "Once you relinquish your freedom for the sake of 'understood necessity,' for party discipline, for conformity with the regime, for the greatness and glory of the Fatherland, or any of the substitutes that are so convincingly offered, you cede your claim to the truth." (pg.11) The Stalinist era conceived millions of people similar to Kovaly who gave their lives for the idea's that Communism stood for in hopes that all people would gain a greater sense of freedom. Although she displays these feelings at the beginning of her story, her views are reflecting her later mistakes and not her convictions during the time of being held captive by the Germans.

Heda Kovaly was held captive as a Jew by the Nazi regime that had taken over Czechoslovakia. Kovaly speaks of her view of freedom is she were to escape from being held prisoner; " Once I slipped out from under the bayonets, I would be standing outside the system. I would not belong anywhere to anything. No one would know of my existence. Perhaps I would only gain a few days or a few hours, but it would be a freedom that millions of people could not even imagine". (17-18) Her only wish now is to be out of her current situation, and defines freedom as being out of "under the bayonets". Although after she escaped the proximity of the German soldiers who held her captive, she knew that she would not be "free", only temporarily unguarded. While on the run from a concentration camp, Kovaly takes her shot at freedom but is not arrogant enough to think that it will be without a struggle. As she explains that reaching the checkpoint is a relief but she is still wary of danger and explains "It seemed to me that I was holding my fragile freedom cupped in my hands." (pg. 25) Through this explanation, Kovaly gives incite on how although she felt that freedom was possible, the tiniest mistake could ruin the "fragile" freedom that she held. Thankfully for Kovaly, she was able to obtain freedom temporarily by escaping the captivity of German soldiers who she had ran away from.

Kovaly's definition of freedom continues to change as her life changes. Soon After the WWII was over and the Soviets had taken over Czechoslovakia, she reunited with her beloved Rudolph who she then married and had a son with. They struggled to find housing after having their previous residences confiscated when they were sent off to the camps. They finally were given a small apartment and now fought for an identity after the former Democratic Government had been destroyed by the Occupation. Kovaly explains "although we continually hoped for freedom, our concept of freedom changed." (pg. 60) Kovaly's concept of freedom before imprisonment was that it was "natural and self-evident." Kovaly summed up how the camp prisoners felt about acquiring their own freedom; "By the end of their time in the camps, many prisoners came to accept the view that freedom is something that has to be earned and fought for, a privilege that is awarded, like a medal." (pg. 60-61) Through the fascist regime, Kovaly explained that it was hardly possible for the Czech people to not become "somewhat twisted". Kovaly inferred that the reasoning behind her relinquishing her new freedom came from believing that;

"If, for the purpose of building a new society, it is necessary to give up my freedom for a time, to subsume something I cherish to a cause in which I strongly believe, that is a sacrifice I am willing to make." ..."Since we did survive, we want to dedicate what is left of our lives to the future."(pg. 61)

Kovaly had fought for her personal freedom when she had run away from the death camp but did not believe she was completely free. Heda continued to pursue an ultimate freedom that was only attainable through a new government. Through her feelings of having to accept a "relinquishing freedom" she knew that becoming a Communist might temporarily take away her freedom, but would ultimately yield far greater benefits for citizens of Czechoslovakia including herself and family.

Heda and her husband were sadly mistaken in her faithful obedience to the Communist party and gave up their freedom in vain. Rudolf was falsely convinced to confess to crimes he didn't commit, and Kovaly was subject to ridicule and constant hardship due to her husbands perceived wrong doings. This was the end of Kovaly's mentioned views of freedom in the book.

Heda Kovaly's view of freedom changed due to her experiences in the Nazi concentration camps and with her acceptance of Communism; from simply that freedom is a birthright, to freedom is being free from captivity, to freedom being something that may need to be given up to achieve the goals of your beliefs. Unfortunately for Heda, she never had a chance to accomplish the freedom that I have and have defined. Kovaly constantly fought for freedom, although she fought for that freedom that changed meanings on different ways, both by escaping the Nazi concentration camp, and then by joining the Communist party to fight off the ideals of the German Occupation. Although she later regretted her choice to join the Communist party, she did what she felt was necessary to gain freedom and fought desperately for it, and no one could ever take that away from her.

Source:
Margolius Kovály, Heda (1997): Under A Cruel Star: A Life in Prague 1941-1968, New York: Holmes & Meier