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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.