The Story of Ten Days
"For the first time since the day of my arrest I found myself free, without armed guards, without wire fences between myself and home."
khb
Monday, March 12, 2007
16
The Last One
"To destroy a man is difficult,almost as difficult as to create one: it has not been easy, nor quick, but you Germans have succeeded. Here we are, docile under you gaze; from our side you have nothing more to fear; no acts of violence, no words of defiance, not even a look of judgement."
15
Die drei Leute com Labor
Primo was assigned as one of the three chemists to work in the laboratory. His life in the concentration camp was easier as being a specialist in the certain area. He got better treated with shelter, food, and new clothes. He didn’t work all day long under the sun but now, he just worked with chemical things, the labor that he usually did for his living before he arrived in Auschwitz.
This privileged conditions that Primo had over the ordinary prisoners were made because of his specialist. Before I started reading this book, I thought if a victim of the Holocaust survived the massacre then he must have something standing out that helped him survive. As soon as I read that Primo would be taking the chemistry exam, my light bulb had turned on. I knew he would pass the test and that would help him survive.
This reminds me of how my parents often stresses the reality of the society that we live in and how I must become a specialist in an area to make a living and to earn many things I desire to have in life.
Primo was assigned as one of the three chemists to work in the laboratory. His life in the concentration camp was easier as being a specialist in the certain area. He got better treated with shelter, food, and new clothes. He didn’t work all day long under the sun but now, he just worked with chemical things, the labor that he usually did for his living before he arrived in Auschwitz.
This privileged conditions that Primo had over the ordinary prisoners were made because of his specialist. Before I started reading this book, I thought if a victim of the Holocaust survived the massacre then he must have something standing out that helped him survive. As soon as I read that Primo would be taking the chemistry exam, my light bulb had turned on. I knew he would pass the test and that would help him survive.
This reminds me of how my parents often stresses the reality of the society that we live in and how I must become a specialist in an area to make a living and to earn many things I desire to have in life.
14
Kraus
“He does not yet know that it is better to be beaten, because one does not normally die of blows, but one does of exhaustion…he seems to think that his present situation is like outside, where it is honest and logical to work, as well as being of advantage, because according to what everyone says, the more one works the more one earns and eats."
Primo introduces a new character, Kraus. Kraus would work assiduously because he thinks one could earn more living if he worked harder. But Primo sees that idea very foolishly and ridiculously. Primo criticizes Kraus that his belief is wrong and that there can’t be any benefit from working hard in Auschwitz. Even though they worked hard, they couldn’t expect another bowl of soup but when they slack off their work, they would get beatings from the SS soldiers. There was no point of working harder than other prisoners in Auschwitz because everyone would get the same amount of soup and everyone would have to die.
13
October in 1944
Each man had two results coming out from the selection: either to die or live. They were not able to make up the decision but to just follow their fate. Most of the prisoners weren’t guilty to get killed in the gas chamber. To me, there are no reasonable claims that the Germans had the right to kill the Jews because the matter of death was in the hands of God.
God was in control of the lives of these people if they had trusted in Him. It was foolish for Primo to believe that God didn’t exist among them and that having hope and praying to God had no meaning to life in Auschwitz. I felt very sorry for Primo and the other prisoners to be in that situation where they couldn’t even be thankful for passing the selection because they would have other many chances that they could end up in the gas chambers. If a man was chosen to die, the fear and the knowing that he would have to die wouldn’t even be expressed by words.
Each man had two results coming out from the selection: either to die or live. They were not able to make up the decision but to just follow their fate. Most of the prisoners weren’t guilty to get killed in the gas chamber. To me, there are no reasonable claims that the Germans had the right to kill the Jews because the matter of death was in the hands of God.
God was in control of the lives of these people if they had trusted in Him. It was foolish for Primo to believe that God didn’t exist among them and that having hope and praying to God had no meaning to life in Auschwitz. I felt very sorry for Primo and the other prisoners to be in that situation where they couldn’t even be thankful for passing the selection because they would have other many chances that they could end up in the gas chambers. If a man was chosen to die, the fear and the knowing that he would have to die wouldn’t even be expressed by words.
12
The Events of the Summer
“I believe that it was due to Lorenzo that I am alive today; and not so much for his material aid, as for his having constantly reminded me by his presence, by this natural and plain manner of being good, that there still existed a just world outside our own, something that someone sill pure and whole, not corrupt, not savage, extraneous to hatred and terror; something difficult to define, a remote possibility of good, but for which it was worth surviving.”
Lorenzo was a kind of person that helped Primo survive the horrible things that happened inside the concentration camp after all. Lorenzo was the only hope of staying ‘pure and whole’ because he himself stayed to live with moral standards. He had lived a different life than other prisoners because he didn’t always follow the crowd. He would be the type of person that would stand up for what he believe in and for what is right to him. Lorenzo had showed Primo that there is still kindness and good existing in the camp and also in the outside world.
“I believe that it was due to Lorenzo that I am alive today; and not so much for his material aid, as for his having constantly reminded me by his presence, by this natural and plain manner of being good, that there still existed a just world outside our own, something that someone sill pure and whole, not corrupt, not savage, extraneous to hatred and terror; something difficult to define, a remote possibility of good, but for which it was worth surviving.”
Lorenzo was a kind of person that helped Primo survive the horrible things that happened inside the concentration camp after all. Lorenzo was the only hope of staying ‘pure and whole’ because he himself stayed to live with moral standards. He had lived a different life than other prisoners because he didn’t always follow the crowd. He would be the type of person that would stand up for what he believe in and for what is right to him. Lorenzo had showed Primo that there is still kindness and good existing in the camp and also in the outside world.
11
The Canto of Ulysses
As I was reading this chapter, I was confused about what point Primo tried to make. I think this chapter doesn’t have any significant parts to the plot but it shows another character of Primo. Primo tries to teach Italian to a French inmate, by translating The Canto of Ulysses from Dante’s Divine Comedy.
I remember reading Divine Comedy and how it was quite confusing. It is an epic poem of Italian literature. The studies of the great literature work helped me to understand why Primo would be translating it. While Primo was making the effort to translate the poem, he noticed the beauty of Italian and his own country.
The pride of being an Italian shows a good character of Primo. He finds a little bit of hope when he realized his identity as an Italian. He was also able to see the small thing as beauty of owns mother language in a situation where no one could ever feel proud or hopeful. I was able to see his optimism made him a different prisoner than other prisoners that surrounded him.
As I was reading this chapter, I was confused about what point Primo tried to make. I think this chapter doesn’t have any significant parts to the plot but it shows another character of Primo. Primo tries to teach Italian to a French inmate, by translating The Canto of Ulysses from Dante’s Divine Comedy.
I remember reading Divine Comedy and how it was quite confusing. It is an epic poem of Italian literature. The studies of the great literature work helped me to understand why Primo would be translating it. While Primo was making the effort to translate the poem, he noticed the beauty of Italian and his own country.
The pride of being an Italian shows a good character of Primo. He finds a little bit of hope when he realized his identity as an Italian. He was also able to see the small thing as beauty of owns mother language in a situation where no one could ever feel proud or hopeful. I was able to see his optimism made him a different prisoner than other prisoners that surrounded him.
10
Chemical Examination
“Because that look was not one between two men; and if I had known how completely to explain the nature of that look, which came as if across the glass window of an aquarium between two being who live in different worlds, I would also have explained the essence of the great insanity of the third Germany.”
Primo takes a chemical exam which can help him be in a higher status and a better position. He meets Doktor Pannwitz who supervises Primo while taking the test. And the quote above describes how Primo felt about the stare Doktor Pannwitz gave him. It was a stare that showed that the world that the German lived in was very different than that of Primo. The stare also represented the superiority and power that the Germans had over the weak Jews. The ‘glass window of an aquarium between two being who live in different worlds’ can be explained that Germans were entertained by the Jews’ suffering like people were entertained by different animals trapped inside the aquarium.
“Because that look was not one between two men; and if I had known how completely to explain the nature of that look, which came as if across the glass window of an aquarium between two being who live in different worlds, I would also have explained the essence of the great insanity of the third Germany.”
Primo takes a chemical exam which can help him be in a higher status and a better position. He meets Doktor Pannwitz who supervises Primo while taking the test. And the quote above describes how Primo felt about the stare Doktor Pannwitz gave him. It was a stare that showed that the world that the German lived in was very different than that of Primo. The stare also represented the superiority and power that the Germans had over the weak Jews. The ‘glass window of an aquarium between two being who live in different worlds’ can be explained that Germans were entertained by the Jews’ suffering like people were entertained by different animals trapped inside the aquarium.
9
The Drowned and the Saved
If I sought God first and helped my neighbors by sharing my bread and soup, what would be left for me to eat and survive in this society? Even though I was caring to a prisoner who was in a worse condition than I was, is there an assurance that he would help me when I am in times of hardship?
There was no good or evil and just or unjust in this concentration camp. In order to survive, being selfish was essential. Auschwitz gave them no time or materials to spare for other people. To survive in this cruel society, one would be kept busy just to maintain the living in the concentration camp. It even required sinful nature of humans to get a step ahead of other prisoners or use them to benefit himself. It showed me how desperate situations in life could change one into a different human being.
If I sought God first and helped my neighbors by sharing my bread and soup, what would be left for me to eat and survive in this society? Even though I was caring to a prisoner who was in a worse condition than I was, is there an assurance that he would help me when I am in times of hardship?
There was no good or evil and just or unjust in this concentration camp. In order to survive, being selfish was essential. Auschwitz gave them no time or materials to spare for other people. To survive in this cruel society, one would be kept busy just to maintain the living in the concentration camp. It even required sinful nature of humans to get a step ahead of other prisoners or use them to benefit himself. It showed me how desperate situations in life could change one into a different human being.
8
The Side of Good and Evil
“In conclusion: theft in Buna, punished by the civil direction, is authorized and encouraged by the SS; theft in camp, severely repressed by the SS, is considered by the civilians as a normal exchange operation; theft among Haftlinge is generally punished, but the punishment strikes the thief and the victim with equal gravity.”
The Black Market is described as a place for survival by Primo. With not enough food and clothing, the prisoners had no choice but to trade for food. The SS soldiers punished the prisoners that weren’t clothed even though they knew prisoners were trying to earn a little bit of more food in order to survive in exchange of their clothes.
“We now invite the reader to contemplate the possible meaning in the Lager of the words 'good' and 'evil', 'just' and 'unjust'; let everybody judge, on the basis of the picture we have outlined and of the examples given above, how much of our ordinary moral world could survive on this side of the barbed wire.”
Were there any side of good and evil in Auschwitz? Could anyone live by their moral standards in the concentration camp? I wish I could easily answer that if I was one of the prisoners, I would live day by day morally but I can’t deny the fact that I would do anything in order to survive whatever the cost may be. Therefore, I am saying that I wouldn’t take side of being good or evil. Even though I was able to see the good and evil and the just and unjust among the prisoners as I read the chapter, the prisoners themselves could have totally ignored of good and evil.
“In conclusion: theft in Buna, punished by the civil direction, is authorized and encouraged by the SS; theft in camp, severely repressed by the SS, is considered by the civilians as a normal exchange operation; theft among Haftlinge is generally punished, but the punishment strikes the thief and the victim with equal gravity.”
The Black Market is described as a place for survival by Primo. With not enough food and clothing, the prisoners had no choice but to trade for food. The SS soldiers punished the prisoners that weren’t clothed even though they knew prisoners were trying to earn a little bit of more food in order to survive in exchange of their clothes.
“We now invite the reader to contemplate the possible meaning in the Lager of the words 'good' and 'evil', 'just' and 'unjust'; let everybody judge, on the basis of the picture we have outlined and of the examples given above, how much of our ordinary moral world could survive on this side of the barbed wire.”
Were there any side of good and evil in Auschwitz? Could anyone live by their moral standards in the concentration camp? I wish I could easily answer that if I was one of the prisoners, I would live day by day morally but I can’t deny the fact that I would do anything in order to survive whatever the cost may be. Therefore, I am saying that I wouldn’t take side of being good or evil. Even though I was able to see the good and evil and the just and unjust among the prisoners as I read the chapter, the prisoners themselves could have totally ignored of good and evil.
7
A Good Day
"Today is a good day. We look around like blind people who have recovered their sight, and we look at each other. We have never seen each other in sunlight: someone smiles."
I personally like a sunny warm day where it seems like it’s the perfect weather to go on a picnic or read a book under a tree or thinking about my life under the sun. So a bright sunny day is a good day for me. But the good day in the concentration camp must have been very different from my perspective of a good day. The good day came with a bright sunlight with hope and cheerfulness. It had ‘recovered the sight of the prisoners’ and made someone smile. The sunlight must have been very encouraging to the prisoners. And I can even imagine further that the sun might have reminded the prisoners of the old days when they were free and blessed. They might have also felt that they wished they could have saw the sun outside of the barbed wire of Auschwitz.
"Today is a good day. We look around like blind people who have recovered their sight, and we look at each other. We have never seen each other in sunlight: someone smiles."
I personally like a sunny warm day where it seems like it’s the perfect weather to go on a picnic or read a book under a tree or thinking about my life under the sun. So a bright sunny day is a good day for me. But the good day in the concentration camp must have been very different from my perspective of a good day. The good day came with a bright sunlight with hope and cheerfulness. It had ‘recovered the sight of the prisoners’ and made someone smile. The sunlight must have been very encouraging to the prisoners. And I can even imagine further that the sun might have reminded the prisoners of the old days when they were free and blessed. They might have also felt that they wished they could have saw the sun outside of the barbed wire of Auschwitz.
6
The Work
Behind the barely closed eyelids, dreams break out violently, the usual dreams. To be at home, in a wonderfully hot bath. To be at home, seated at a table.To be at home, and tell the story of this hopeless work of ours, of this never-ending hunger, of the slave’s way of sleeping.”
As I read through this chapter, I tried to think of the conditions and how I much have felt being in Primo’s shoes. Through the severe conditions and the hard working hours, I would be complaining continuously to myself. And then I thought about the reactions I would take from these hardships. I thought I would definitely appreciate the environment that I live in right now even though I complain about the small things. Going back home would be a dream and eventually wouldn’t even let myself thinking about home because it would make me more miserable living in the concentration camp. I would also think that in order to survive a little bit more than the others, I should just work and obey the Germans’ orders because I know that I am weak and I can’t make a difference anyhow. The labor would have brought great pain physically and mentally as I would lose hope and security.
Behind the barely closed eyelids, dreams break out violently, the usual dreams. To be at home, in a wonderfully hot bath. To be at home, seated at a table.To be at home, and tell the story of this hopeless work of ours, of this never-ending hunger, of the slave’s way of sleeping.”
As I read through this chapter, I tried to think of the conditions and how I much have felt being in Primo’s shoes. Through the severe conditions and the hard working hours, I would be complaining continuously to myself. And then I thought about the reactions I would take from these hardships. I thought I would definitely appreciate the environment that I live in right now even though I complain about the small things. Going back home would be a dream and eventually wouldn’t even let myself thinking about home because it would make me more miserable living in the concentration camp. I would also think that in order to survive a little bit more than the others, I should just work and obey the Germans’ orders because I know that I am weak and I can’t make a difference anyhow. The labor would have brought great pain physically and mentally as I would lose hope and security.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
5
Our Nights
“But the man who leaves the Ka-Be, naked and almost always insufficiently cured, feels himself ejected into the dark and cold of sidereal space. His trousers fall down, his shoes hurt him, his shirt has no buttons. He searches for a human contact and only finds backs turned on him. He is as helpless and vulnerable as a new-born baby, but the following morning he will still have to march to work.”
When Primo came back from Ka-Be, he was alone and scared. He needed a company or hope that would get him through the night. Even though he was always tired from work, he couldn’t go to sleep right away when he lay down on his bed because of the worries. He lived through everyday with fear of death and labor and at nighttime with many thoughts going through his head, alone. I thought of how different the atmosphere or the condition would be like to the prisoners in the concentration camp if they were even a little considerate and encouraging to each other.
“But the man who leaves the Ka-Be, naked and almost always insufficiently cured, feels himself ejected into the dark and cold of sidereal space. His trousers fall down, his shoes hurt him, his shirt has no buttons. He searches for a human contact and only finds backs turned on him. He is as helpless and vulnerable as a new-born baby, but the following morning he will still have to march to work.”
When Primo came back from Ka-Be, he was alone and scared. He needed a company or hope that would get him through the night. Even though he was always tired from work, he couldn’t go to sleep right away when he lay down on his bed because of the worries. He lived through everyday with fear of death and labor and at nighttime with many thoughts going through his head, alone. I thought of how different the atmosphere or the condition would be like to the prisoners in the concentration camp if they were even a little considerate and encouraging to each other.
4
Ka-Be
“I am assigned bunk number 10- a miracle! It is empty! I stretch myself out with delight; it is the first time since I entered the camp that I have a bunk all to myself. Despite my hunger, within ten minutes I am asleep.”
Ka-Be was an infirmary in the concentration camp. Primo Levi was able to go there because he was seriously hurt by his wooden shoes. I think it is ridiculous that the prisoners had to wear such shoes in order to assure the Germans that they would not to run away. When Primo was able to have an empty bunk all to himself and rest, he might have been thankful for the first time since he came to Auschwitz. I remember the last week’s sermon in church. Our youth pastor told us that as Christians, we need to be try our best to achieve excellence in our studies and live our daily lives to the fullest with hard work because we represent God. He also said when we work hard Monday through Saturday, God gives us a chance to rest and concentrate on Him on Sunday. Primo deserved the rest and the good sleep he couldn’t have for a long time because he worked continuously.
“I am assigned bunk number 10- a miracle! It is empty! I stretch myself out with delight; it is the first time since I entered the camp that I have a bunk all to myself. Despite my hunger, within ten minutes I am asleep.”
Ka-Be was an infirmary in the concentration camp. Primo Levi was able to go there because he was seriously hurt by his wooden shoes. I think it is ridiculous that the prisoners had to wear such shoes in order to assure the Germans that they would not to run away. When Primo was able to have an empty bunk all to himself and rest, he might have been thankful for the first time since he came to Auschwitz. I remember the last week’s sermon in church. Our youth pastor told us that as Christians, we need to be try our best to achieve excellence in our studies and live our daily lives to the fullest with hard work because we represent God. He also said when we work hard Monday through Saturday, God gives us a chance to rest and concentrate on Him on Sunday. Primo deserved the rest and the good sleep he couldn’t have for a long time because he worked continuously.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
3
Initiation
“We are slaves, deprived of every right, exposed to every insult, condemned to certain death, but we still possess one power, and must defend it with all our strength for it is the last-the power to refuse our consent. So we must certainly wash our faces without soap in dirty water and dry ourselves on our jackets. We must polish our shoes, not because regulation states it, but for dignity and propriety. We must walk erect, without dragging our feet, not in homage to Prussian discipline but to remain alive, not to begin to die.”
Different from our daily habit of washing, it takes a great effort, energy, and warmth with little success of keeping oneself clean in the washroom that is far from attractive. As every part of the concentration camp has the worst conditions, it is evident that even the washrooms are extremely unpleasant. There would be no point of trying to wash everyday or expecting to keep their hygiene from washing from the filthy conditions.
The 3rd chapter could be described from the quote above. This quote is a contrast from what I stated about no importance of washing everyday for survival in concentration camps. The quote states that washing is not only for vitality and a factor for survival but it is also for dignity and propriety as Jews. More than having the will and spirit to survive, Steinlauf took them into action by showing the Germans and other prisoners that he is willing to try anything in order to live. Different from what Levi thinks, Steinlauf view every small things as significant. One who is put in for competition for survival in degraded conditions such as these, it is easy for him to devote himself for just plain survival.
“We are slaves, deprived of every right, exposed to every insult, condemned to certain death, but we still possess one power, and must defend it with all our strength for it is the last-the power to refuse our consent. So we must certainly wash our faces without soap in dirty water and dry ourselves on our jackets. We must polish our shoes, not because regulation states it, but for dignity and propriety. We must walk erect, without dragging our feet, not in homage to Prussian discipline but to remain alive, not to begin to die.”
Different from our daily habit of washing, it takes a great effort, energy, and warmth with little success of keeping oneself clean in the washroom that is far from attractive. As every part of the concentration camp has the worst conditions, it is evident that even the washrooms are extremely unpleasant. There would be no point of trying to wash everyday or expecting to keep their hygiene from washing from the filthy conditions.
The 3rd chapter could be described from the quote above. This quote is a contrast from what I stated about no importance of washing everyday for survival in concentration camps. The quote states that washing is not only for vitality and a factor for survival but it is also for dignity and propriety as Jews. More than having the will and spirit to survive, Steinlauf took them into action by showing the Germans and other prisoners that he is willing to try anything in order to live. Different from what Levi thinks, Steinlauf view every small things as significant. One who is put in for competition for survival in degraded conditions such as these, it is easy for him to devote himself for just plain survival.
2
On the Bottom
Levi describes the conditions in Auschwitz as hell. The foul condition of an empty room with a tap which drips water that is tepid and not potable. It seems like it doesn’t even think much of simple vital element in living. The Nazi had taken all their possessions, their home, clothes, shoes, and their loved ones. The Jews were treated as they were properties since their names were taken away but just left as simple identity of ‘Jews.’ The quote, “Imagine now a man who is deprived of everyone he loves, and at the same time of his house, his habits, his clothes, in short, of everything he possesses: he will be a hollow man, reduced to suffering and needs, forgetful of dignity and restraint, for he who loses all often easily loses himself,” struck me as every part of it was agreeable as if I was getting stripped of everything.
I was able to make a connection to my life and the environment that I live in. Even though I continuously complain about what I already have, difference between the concentration camp that the Jews are captured in and the house that I live in are tremendous. Even with the huge changes that the Jews had to go through, their conditions worsened as the treatment they received from the Germans and their labor debilitated their health and energy. There are endless lists that I had to be thankful for.
Levi describes the conditions in Auschwitz as hell. The foul condition of an empty room with a tap which drips water that is tepid and not potable. It seems like it doesn’t even think much of simple vital element in living. The Nazi had taken all their possessions, their home, clothes, shoes, and their loved ones. The Jews were treated as they were properties since their names were taken away but just left as simple identity of ‘Jews.’ The quote, “Imagine now a man who is deprived of everyone he loves, and at the same time of his house, his habits, his clothes, in short, of everything he possesses: he will be a hollow man, reduced to suffering and needs, forgetful of dignity and restraint, for he who loses all often easily loses himself,” struck me as every part of it was agreeable as if I was getting stripped of everything.
I was able to make a connection to my life and the environment that I live in. Even though I continuously complain about what I already have, difference between the concentration camp that the Jews are captured in and the house that I live in are tremendous. Even with the huge changes that the Jews had to go through, their conditions worsened as the treatment they received from the Germans and their labor debilitated their health and energy. There are endless lists that I had to be thankful for.
1
The Journey
Primo Levi’s own account of the journey to Auschwitz made it real like I was one of the Italian Jews that were in the ‘journey’. Every description of his thoughts made me realize that many things would have went across my mind when I faced death. I would answer the questions that Levi couldn’t answer because he would be anxious and horrified about his uncertain future and it would help me to think as if I was in his shoes.
The Jews with no exception prepared for the next day, for their destination. Would they pray, drink and eat lustfully for the last time if they knew by intuition that they would soon start the journey to their death? “If you and your child were going to be killed tomorrow, would you not give him to eat today?” This quote made me think for a moment but it was pretty easy for me to answer this question without hesitation.
Eventhough the Jews didn’t know where they were going, they knew that the trains that would transport them would never return and that it would be going for a journey towards nothingness. The meaning that their train would never return, there is a certainty of death. The assurance gave limit on joy but as well as grief because the Jews wouldn’t feel any stronger feeling of grief than death.
Primo Levi’s own account of the journey to Auschwitz made it real like I was one of the Italian Jews that were in the ‘journey’. Every description of his thoughts made me realize that many things would have went across my mind when I faced death. I would answer the questions that Levi couldn’t answer because he would be anxious and horrified about his uncertain future and it would help me to think as if I was in his shoes.
The Jews with no exception prepared for the next day, for their destination. Would they pray, drink and eat lustfully for the last time if they knew by intuition that they would soon start the journey to their death? “If you and your child were going to be killed tomorrow, would you not give him to eat today?” This quote made me think for a moment but it was pretty easy for me to answer this question without hesitation.
Eventhough the Jews didn’t know where they were going, they knew that the trains that would transport them would never return and that it would be going for a journey towards nothingness. The meaning that their train would never return, there is a certainty of death. The assurance gave limit on joy but as well as grief because the Jews wouldn’t feel any stronger feeling of grief than death.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
0
The documentary
Frankly speaking, when we started to watch the documentary, I thought inside that it is the same thing that we do in every history classes. I roughly knew what happened during the Holocaust, I heard about it, and I felt bad for the Jews. But until I watched the video, I wasn’t aware of how the Jews must have felt in the concentration camps.
Why did the descriptions of Jews extermination camps from the documentary stay inside me? They must have been powerful-powerful enough to make me feel like there are some connections among us. I could feel how Jews must have lived every moment inside the “factory of death” and “a place where God didn’t exist.”
As I tried to study in my head how could a human do such things to another human being, I related these reasoning into our previous studies. Acceptable justification could be that only faith and belief of the Nazis had committed such treachery in human history. I believe God was present even in the concentration camps among the Nazis and the Jews but such unfortunate events took place because these people had abandoned Him.
Under the Germans, Jews had to live with fear of dying in the gas chambers everyday. There could be no mercy, trust, or love seen throughout the camps. Jews were living in hell. These innocent people were going through such trauma because of one man’s false belief. I would not know how exactly every agony was performed or what kind of lifestyle existed through the barbed wire, into the land of Auschwitz. But my understanding of the unfortunate event in the history of Jews gives me a feeling-pain in my heart.
Frankly speaking, when we started to watch the documentary, I thought inside that it is the same thing that we do in every history classes. I roughly knew what happened during the Holocaust, I heard about it, and I felt bad for the Jews. But until I watched the video, I wasn’t aware of how the Jews must have felt in the concentration camps.
Why did the descriptions of Jews extermination camps from the documentary stay inside me? They must have been powerful-powerful enough to make me feel like there are some connections among us. I could feel how Jews must have lived every moment inside the “factory of death” and “a place where God didn’t exist.”
As I tried to study in my head how could a human do such things to another human being, I related these reasoning into our previous studies. Acceptable justification could be that only faith and belief of the Nazis had committed such treachery in human history. I believe God was present even in the concentration camps among the Nazis and the Jews but such unfortunate events took place because these people had abandoned Him.
Under the Germans, Jews had to live with fear of dying in the gas chambers everyday. There could be no mercy, trust, or love seen throughout the camps. Jews were living in hell. These innocent people were going through such trauma because of one man’s false belief. I would not know how exactly every agony was performed or what kind of lifestyle existed through the barbed wire, into the land of Auschwitz. But my understanding of the unfortunate event in the history of Jews gives me a feeling-pain in my heart.
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