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.