Tintin’s Dark Roots: Propaganda and Collaboration During Nazi Occupation
Hergé’s Political Affiliation
Georges Prosper Remi, the creator of Tintin, was a conservative Catholic who published his early work in Le Vingtième Siècle, a pro-authoritarian newspaper. As the 1930s progressed, Hergé’s political views became more extreme, and he openly supported fascist ideologies.
Collaboration with the Nazis
When Nazi Germany invaded Belgium in 1940, many newspapers shut down rather than collaborate with the occupiers. However, Hergé chose to continue publishing Tintin in Le Soir, a French-language newspaper that remained in operation under Nazi control. This decision has been widely criticized as collaboration with the enemy.
Anti-Semitism in Tintin
During the Nazi occupation, Hergé published several Tintin stories that contained anti-Semitic imagery and themes. In one story, titled “The Shooting Star,” the villain was a greedy, hook-nosed Jewish-American financier named Blumenstein. Hergé later apologized for these depictions, claiming that they were “the style then.”
Racist Caricatures
In addition to anti-Semitic imagery, Hergé’s Tintin stories also included racist caricatures of other groups, such as Africans and Asians. These caricatures served no purpose in the stories and were clearly intended to please Hergé’s Nazi masters.
Postwar Revisionism
After the war, Hergé revised many of his early stories to remove or tone down the offensive content. However, the memory of these stories remained, and Hergé’s reputation was tarnished by his collaboration with the Nazis.
The Ethical Implications
Hergé’s decision to publish in a collaborationist newspaper raises important ethical questions about the role of artists in times of war and oppression. Some argue that artists have a responsibility to resist propaganda and censorship, while others believe that they should be free to express their own views, even if those views are unpopular or offensive.
The Impact on Tintin’s Legacy
Despite the controversy surrounding Hergé’s wartime activities, Tintin has remained a popular and beloved character. However, the revelations about Hergé’s collaboration with the Nazis have cast a shadow over his legacy, and his work is now often viewed through a critical lens.
The Complexity of Censorship and Propaganda
The case of Hergé and Tintin highlights the complexity of censorship and propaganda. While it is important to protect freedom of speech, it is also important to be aware of the potential for artists to be used as tools of propaganda. The public must remain vigilant in scrutinizing the media they consume and in holding artists accountable for their actions.
The Influence of Fascism on European Culture
Hergé’s collaboration with the Nazis is a reminder of the powerful influence that fascism had on European culture in the 1930s and 1940s. Fascism appealed to many people who were disillusioned with democracy and who were seeking a sense of national identity and purpose. It is important to understand the factors that led to the rise of fascism in order to prevent it from happening again.