ABSTRACT
This chapter considers Jewish Holocaust “trace” remembrance in North America, borrowing from an idea expressed by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. The “trace” expressions studied include Wiesel’s famous novel Night, Marc Chagall’s painting White Crucifixion, pertinent choreography by Anna Sokolow, select writings and lyrics of Leonard Cohen, and the peace aphorisms on the labels of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. The overall analysis is framed by John Stratton’s theorization of “cultural trauma.” These varied works, ranging from “high” to “low” Popular Culture, are representative of a trend toward Holocaust universalization. By and large, the “trace” in these works is not tied up with pedagogical or political considerations but is simply about mourning.
