Self-Sacrifice between Constraint and Redemption: Gertrud von Le Fort’s The Song at the Scaffold

It would be easy to dismiss the theme of this book, Die Letzte am Schafott, as no more than an expression of a Catholic triumphant attitude. During the French revolution, possessions of convents were confiscated and whoever resisted was sentenced to death and executed under the guillotine. The French Revolution would be no more than a demonstration of the barbarous attitude of the idolatry of Reason over against the devotion to true faith. The story, however, goes far deeper than that. This becomes clear when we focus on two of the main characters: Two young girls, strongly differing in temperament and background; and two spiritual leaders in the convent diametrically opposed to one another. We will note that the story contains a sharp criticism of traditional Catholic ideas about self-sacrifice and martyrdom. Simultaneously, the story offers a passionate picture of true martyrdom, which can only be reached by acknowledging existential fear and a deep love of life.