Schindler’s List

Schindler’s List

by

Thomas Keneally

Symche Spira Character Analysis

Symche Spira is an Orthodox Jew in the OD who helps carry out the Nazis’ orders in Cracow. At one point, he is Poldek Pfefferberg’s boss. Spira acts loyal to the Germans and helps them brutally clear Jews from the ghetto. But ultimately, he and his whole family were executed, showing that no amount of Jewish loyalty was enough for the Nazis.
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Symche Spira Character Timeline in Schindler’s List

The timeline below shows where the character Symche Spira appears in Schindler’s List. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 15
Virtue and Selflessness Theme Icon
Anti-Semitism and Dehumanization Theme Icon
Power Theme Icon
Duty Theme Icon
Bureaucracy Theme Icon
...aware of how his workers are suffering in the ghetto. Nazis are directing men like Spira (in the OD) to put together longer and longer lists, getting rid of children and... (full context)
Chapter 16
Virtue and Selflessness Theme Icon
Anti-Semitism and Dehumanization Theme Icon
Power Theme Icon
Duty Theme Icon
Bureaucracy Theme Icon
...he knows he could’ve been there. The resisters also arrange for two of OD chief Spira’s lieutenants to be killed by Gestapo. Others, however, take on different forms of resistance, like... (full context)
Chapter 17
Virtue and Selflessness Theme Icon
Anti-Semitism and Dehumanization Theme Icon
Power Theme Icon
Duty Theme Icon
Bureaucracy Theme Icon
Mordecai Wulkan is a jeweler who is visited one night by one of Spira’s OD. He’s told that the SS urgently need four jewelers. Wulkan is taken to the... (full context)
Chapter 27
Anti-Semitism and Dehumanization Theme Icon
Among the burning bodies are the Spiras—all ghetto police were executed after the dismantling of the ghetto. Schindler was surprised and took... (full context)