Do you know who else the prosecution has called?Oppenheimer · 2023 — Chapter 24 of 28 · 2'22" · C1
Rabi Defends Oppenheimer, Explained: Mermaids
At Oppenheimer's security hearing, Rabi is called to vouch for him. The questions dig into old rumours and old friends, but Rabi stands firm: he calls Oppenheimer a man of upstanding character and asks why they are going after someone with such a record. Then comes the one-word rebuke: "What more do you want?"
What happens
Rabi testifies at Oppenheimer's security hearing. He is asked about Strauss's claims, an alleged affair, and the way friends like Lawrence were turned against Oppenheimer, then asked to speak to his loyalty and character. Rabi answers that Oppenheimer is a man of upstanding character and loyal to his country, and asks why the board is going after such a man.
Listen for
died of a broken heartat the expense ofMermaidsin the event
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Phrase of the scene
Mermaids
美人鱼（这里是讽刺性的夸张反问）
拉比列举美国已有的原子弹与超级炸弹，最后用一句美人鱼反问质询方还想要什么。
Mermaids? What more could you want from me?
Also in this scene
- died of a broken heart
心碎而死；因极度悲伤而垮掉
- at the expense of
以牺牲……为代价
- in the event
结果（事实证明如此）；也可表“万一、倘若”
Everything marked in this scene
29 notes across 42 lines
He wasn't going to help them, but...Strauss told him that you and Ruth Tolman have been having an affair for years.liaison
Strauss told him that you and Ruth Tolman have been having an affair for years.He convinced Lawrence that Richard died of a broken heart.Richard never found out.what governmental positions do you currently hold?I... I know him quite well.Dr. Oppenheimer is a man of upstanding character.And he is loyal to the United States, to his friends,relative clause
to the institutions of which he is part.Nothing to worry about.You'd be better off asking him.Well, I fully intend to.Would you say that Dr. Oppenheimer was unalterably opposed to the H-bomb?stress
Would you say that Dr. Oppenheimer was unalterably opposed to the H-bomb?No, he-he thought that a fusion program would come at the expense of our awfully good fission program.weak form
No, he-he thought that a fusion program would come at the expense of our awfully good fission program.But that proved not to be the case.In the event both could be done.In the event both could be done.Suppose that this board did not feel satisfied that in his testimony here, Dr. Oppenheimer had been wholly truthful.Suppose that this board did not feel satisfied that in his testimony here, Dr. Oppenheimer had been wholly truthful.supposition
Suppose that this board did not feel satisfied that in his testimony here, Dr. Oppenheimer had been wholly truthful.What would you say whether or not he should be cleared?whether-clause
What would you say whether or not he should be cleared?Why go through all this against a man who has accomplished what Dr. Oppenheimer has?We have an A-bomb and a whole series of it.What more do you want?Rabi Defends Oppenheimer, explained
What's really going on
The hearing is less a trial than a war over reputations. Rabi is brought in to vouch for Oppenheimer, and the questions reach back through old friendships and old rumours, including the tale that Strauss used to turn one friend against another. What makes Rabi's testimony matter is that he refuses the frame: instead of defending each charge, he goes to character - "Dr. Oppenheimer is a man of upstanding character" - and then to incredulity: why go through all this against a man with such a record? The scene's final beat is the most telling, when he asks what more anyone could want and answers his own question with the absurd word "Mermaids?" It is a courtroom moment that turns exasperation into argument.
Theme
TrustRabi is called to vouch for a friend's character while old rumours are used against him.
BetrayalThe hearing weaponizes private lives, turning one friend's gossip into another's testimony.
Listen for
- having an affair — liaison
- unalterably opposed to — stress
- at the expense of — weak form
Why go through all this against a man who has accomplished what Dr. Oppenheimer has?Rabi argues that the man's record should settle the matter before the accusations do.
Dr. Oppenheimer is a man of upstanding character.A direct statement of moral support, offered as testimony rather than a defense of policy.
You'd be better off asking him.A polite deflection that refuses to answer for someone else.
What more do you want?Exasperation that becomes an argument: the achievements are already more than enough.
Questions about this scene
Why is Rabi testifying?
He is called to speak to Oppenheimer's loyalty and character at the security hearing, and he uses his testimony to defend his friend's integrity.
What rumours come up at the hearing?
They involve an alleged affair and old gossip that Strauss used to turn one friend against Oppenheimer, including the claim that Richard died of a broken heart.
What does Rabi say about Oppenheimer?
He says Oppenheimer is a man of upstanding character, loyal to the United States, to his friends, and to the institutions he belongs to.
What does "Mermaids?" mean here?
It is a sarcastic retort. Rabi has just listed the bombs the country already has and asks what more anyone could want, then offers Mermaids as an absurd example.
Does Rabi think the hearing is fair?
No. He asks why they are going through all this against a man who has accomplished so much, implying the pursuit is unjustified.
Oppenheimer · 28 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 25cuts both waysBorden Reads the Accusation Letter
Chapter 1leaves a little to be desiredBohr Sends Oppenheimer to Göttingen
Chapter 2the man for the jobStrauss Offers Oppenheimer a Job
Chapter 3seek outRabi Meets Oppenheimer on a Train
Chapter 4a vicious cycleOppenheimer Starts His Quantum Seminar
Chapter 5wiggle roomPolitical Debate at a Party
Chapter 6wring your neckOppenheimer Names Los Alamos
Chapter 7from moneyOppenheimer Explains Empty Space
Chapter 8herd intoLawrence Shuts Down the Union
Chapter 9point takenGroves Offers Oppenheimer the Job
Chapter 10a point of no returnOppenheimer Asks Einstein About Doomsday
Chapter 11pass onChevalier Suggests Passing Secrets
Chapter 12the business at handTeller Pitches the H-Bomb
Chapter 13Thanks for nothingCondon Quits Los Alamos
Chapter 14drop in and outOppenheimer's Last Night With Jean
Chapter 15a cock-and-bull storyOppenheimer's Cock-and-Bull Story
Chapter 16took a wrong turnBohr Warns of the Aftermath
Chapter 17go down this roadThe GAC Debates the H-Bomb
Chapter 18a lot of latitudeThe Target Committee Debates the Bomb
Chapter 19gallows humorWaiting Out the Storm at Trinity
Chapter 20blood on my handsOppenheimer Meets President Truman
Chapter 21A man of convictionThe Fuchs Spy Case Comes Up
Chapter 22curse the name ofOppenheimer Refuses the Super Bomb
Chapter 23how the game is playedPlanning Oppenheimer's Downfall
Watching · Chapter 24MermaidsRabi Defends Oppenheimer
Chapter 25cuts both waysBorden Reads the Accusation Letter
Chapter 26made mincemeat out ofHill Blames Strauss at the Hearing
Chapter 27Haven't the slightest ideaKitty Testifies Before the Board
Chapter 28moral scruplesOppenheimer Is Cross-ExaminedChapter 24 of 28 · about 11 min to go