Points of Discussion for The Golem, How He Came into the World (1920)

by Paul Wegener

Settings

• the ghetto
• Rabbi Löw's home
• the bridge
• the emperor's palace
• outside the ghetto walls

Characters

• Rabbi Löw
• The Golem
• Miriam
• Famulus, the Rabbi's assistant
• Florian, the Knight
• Emperor Luhois
• the children

The Body

• gendered?
• abnormal?
• source of pleasure? danger?
• conscious?

Spectatorship and Exhibition

• The Golem at the Emperor's court
• Jewish history on display
• the Golem and Miriam

Occult Symbols and Jewish Symbols

• the pentagram
• the Star of David
• the circle on clothing

The Relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles

• the emperor's decree
• the role of magic
• the relationship between Miriam and Florian
• the role of the children

The Portrayal of the Jews

• the Jews praying
• the emperor's decree - fulfillment of prophecy?
• Jews and astrology
• Jews and magic
• inscribed as different (clothing, setting, prayer)

Who is the enemy?