The Broken Jug as a Nazi Film

If one watches The Broken Jug with only its comedic genre in mind, it is easy to ignore the symbols of Nazism that are hidden within the plot. For starters, the plot surrounds a jug, a seemingly plain object; however, one could look at the jug as chastity. When the jug is broken by Adam, the movie is also putting forth the idea that Eve’s chastity has been broken as well. Adam is ultimately punished for his role in taking Eve’s chastity away, showing the importance of the ideal of being chaste in Nazi culture. It is interesting that Eve’s mother is the one who brings forth the case of the broken judge to court, even though it is her daughter who has not been chaste, it is her family that would theoretically draw the shame.

Another aspect of the film that places it within the Nazi genre is the focus on Adam as an imperfect man. The first scene of the movie is entirely dedicated to portraying Adam’s flaws; the audience hears him grunt and moan as he cleans his wounds and watches as he drinks fluids that are not meant to be drunk. The audience is meant to be repulsed by Adam’s behavior, which is clearly not in line with the Nazi ideals of the strong, manly laborer. In contrast to Adam is the visiting Judge who is there to check up on Adam and the courthouse. He behaves in the opposite manner as Adam, and while Adam is chased out of the courthouse and ridiculed by the village, the visitor remains an upstanding citizen.