In "In the Garden of Beasts," Erik Larson explores the complexities of American perspectives on the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany through the interactions of Colonel House and Ambassador Dodd. Colonel House urges Dodd to advocate for the Jewish community to alleviate their suffering, but he simultaneously reflects a troubling view that blames the Jews for their circumstances, suggesting that their prominence in Berlin's economic and intellectual arenas is problematic. This duality highlights the existing anti-Semitic sentiments of the time.

Dodd's experiences reveal the broader societal attitudes in America, where some believed that Jews had contributed to their own persecution by dominating certain sectors. The notion that Jews could have a role in their plight underscores a significant misunderstanding and prejudice that influenced the actions and reactions of individuals and governments regarding the unfolding tragedy in Germany. Larson's narrative serves to illustrate the moral complexities faced by diplomats like Dodd amid the rising tide of anti-Semitism and the horrors of the Holocaust.