The transformation of Germany under the Third Reich is illustrated through the mention of its stark colors: black, white, and red, which symbolize the oppressive regime. This period marked a significant change in the nation's identity and aesthetics, reflecting the harsh realities faced by its people. The colors evoke a sense of foreboding and signify the totalitarian shift that pervaded society.

Additionally, the reference to Professor Moholy-Nagy highlights a disconnection from the grim spectacle of the time. The sentiment of not wanting to participate in such an "optical event" suggests a desire to disengage from the visual propaganda and the overall atmosphere of oppression that characterized that era in Germany.