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.