Survival in Auschwitz PDF

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Survival in Auschwitz...

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Hamza Bajwa Mr. Guthrie ENG-4U

Survival In Auschwitz: Primo Levi A person’s most defining characteristics are often revealed during times of hardship and testing ordeals. The way one handles such situations is vital in determining whether or not the outcomes will be positive or negative. Such ordeals reveal many characteristics about oneself, most significantly their mental strength. Similarly, Primo Levi’s struggle in Auschwitz is filled with ordeals and hardship albeit much harsher and tortuous. Throughout his struggles in Auschwitz Primo Levi reveals a variety of characteristics about himself. He reveals his power of observation, perseverance, astuteness and his immense mental fortitude. Ultimately, these very characteristics play the most significant role in his survival in Auschwitz. Admittedly, Primo Levi’s comrades play an extremely significant role in his survival. Lorenzo, for instance, is cited by Primo himself the reason that he survives, not only physically but also as a man. However, the qualities that Primo Levi reveals about himself are of more significance in his survival. Primarily, Primo Levi’s great power of observation and quick analytical skills. In Auschwitz almost everything to Primo Levi is foreign. The languages, the customs, and most importantly the stated rules and unstated rules of the camp. In a place such as this, one must learn to adapt quickly or subsequently pay the ultimate price. The biggest and most obvious hint of his great power of observation is the degree of description of the smallest of details in the memoir. Although it can be argued that one would never forget such experiences, the sheer magnitude of Primo Levi’s description is enough to prove his power of observation.

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Through vivid imagery, Primo Levi shows his power of observation in chapter 3, Initiation, in which he describes the lager washroom. As stated in the text “The washroom is far from attractive. It is badly lighted, full of draughts, with brick floor covered by a layer of mud.”(Levi, 39). Primo Levi gives the reader the entire picture. To create this effect of Imagery, Primo Levi uses diction, primarily the pair of words “badly lighted”, these words are powerful in establishing the depressing mood. Primo also describes the two stereotypes of “clean” jews and “dirty” jews on the wall. Ironically there is no clean water and so the depictions are understood by Primo to be simply teutonic humor. However, the pictures hold great importance, although there is literally no practicality in washing oneself with dirty turbid water, it serves a different purpose. Primo understands that the pictures are vital in ensuring moral survival. His power of observation and analytical skills enable him to come this invaluable conclusion. In the final 10 days of his struggle in Auschwitz, Primo Levi is faced by the ordeal of a sick friend. Sertelet, a fellow prisoner, is very ill and Primo recognizes this. As stated in the text “For pure propaganda purposes I gave everyone nasal drops of camphorated oil. I assured Sertelet that they would help him; I even tried to convince myself.”(168). Primo Levi does not gain anything from Sertelet’s survival and knows that the overall mood of the camp is distressed. The acts of kindness are not only to improve the outlook in the camp, but also as a means of reintegrating the morals and values that the German SS took away from them. Prior to this instance, one would fight toe and nail for an extra ration of bread. Primo Levi recognizes that the mental state of many of the prisoners is deteriorated and represents the drops as a symbol of hope, as they are distributed primarily to improve the mental outset of the prisoners. Perhaps one of Primo Levi’s most significant characteristics is his perseverance. His other qualities, namely wit might have made his life in Auschwitz relatively easier, but ultimately

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to survive such ordeals in the first place requires great perseverance. In chapter 6, The Work, Primo Levi is put through perhaps his most torturous ordeal as described in the memoir. He is made to carry sleepers that he describes to be weighing 175 pounds, and he explicitly describes the prisoners at the limit of their strengths. He suffers and endures when others would give up, describing the experience as bringing him to “The limit of what a person is theoretically able to support.” It’s quite clear that Primo Levi’s will to survive is strong. His perseverance is one of the most significant qualities in his survival. Another instance of Primo Levi’s perseverance is his struggle with Kraus. Kraus is described by Primo as a man that works too hard. He works diligently and does not yet know the art of economising. Many categorize him immediately as a “musselman”, Primo knows it too, but attempts to help him by telling him of good things that he has envisioned. Despite his efforts, it is clear that Kraus is no use to anyone but the German SS for his labour. By persevering with Kraus, Primo Levi not only shows his perseverance but ultimately genuine care for his fellow prisoners and is able to survive morally.

One of the most interesting comparisons, made in the memoir is the comparison of a successful prisoner, to a “musselman”. Musselmen are described as people that follow strictly the orders of the SS, they live off of the rations that they are provided and only do what they are asked to do. Their lifespan is short, described in the memoir as usually three months at the maximum. This comparison enables him to come to the conclusion that one can become “free” of the work through their astuteness and not physical endurance as the gate entrance ironically implies, “Work earns freedom”. He explicitly describes the faults in musselmen, primarily their inability to adapt quickly and develop skills required to survive. They do not learn German, and their numbers are endless, thus easily replaceable. On the other hand, to become a prominent is

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difficult and usually involves requiring connections in the inter prison hierarchy. One of Primo Levi’s most prevalent qualities is his astuteness. His major in chemistry earns him a place in the laboratory where life is much easier than the intensive labour that he is used to. He takes complete advantage of his situation, stealing soap and oil and selling it to the market which steadily improves his lifestyle. The key to using one’s wit is to use it smartly. Primo levi’s many “excursions” to the latrine and prolonged breaks may not seem like much, but they also play a large role in his survival. By regularly taking advantage of his situation, Primo Levi is able to assert himself as a prominent. Undoubtedly, Primo Levi’s immense intelligence is his most significant quality in his survival. One of Primo Levi’s greatest qualities is his mental strength. Despite being on the receiving end of many torturous ordeals, Primo Levi is able to maintain a stable and resilient state of mind. One of the greatest evidences that mental state is absolutely vital refers back to the bathroom scene. The water may be dirty and turbid but the mental practicality of washing your hands ensures moral survival. One of the greatest symbols of mental destruction is the character of Elias. Elias is described as a short man that works diligently hard. Although his diligent work habits are noticed by the SS, and he does survive as he is classified as a prominent, he doesn’t survive. Primo Levi states that although Elias flourishes in the lager, his situation would be drastically different in the real world. His mental state has been obliterated and he essentially an automaton living off of the temporary prominence that he has gained in the lager. These very qualities are the most significant factors in Primo Levi’s survival in Auschwitz. His power of observation and quick analytical skills enable him to pick up things rather quickly despite language barriers, and pull him out of the danger of falling behind. His perseverance and patience are essential in surviving the various ordeals. His wit drastically

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increases his quality of life in Auschwitz. Last but certainly not least, his mental strength ties all of these qualities together and enables him to keep a strong foothold over his mental capacity. Although Primo Levi’s comrades play an extremely significant role, ultimately his own characteristics are the most significant factor in his survival.

Word Count: 1465

Works Cited Levi, Primo, S. J. Woolf, and Philip Roth. Survival in Auschwitz: The Nazi Assault on Humanity. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996. Print.

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