Survival In Auschwitz Essays - Levites, Primo Levi,

Survival in Auschwitz Survival in Auschwitz In the History of the world there have been few incidences of atrocities that equal the treatment of the Jews in Europe during World War II. It is difficult to accept the levels of systematic cruelty and terror experienced during this period. In the book Survival in Auschwitz, Primo Levi paints a picture with disturbing detail that is meant to serve as a reminder of the unimaginable horrors millions of men, women and children were forcefully subjected to as a result of hate. As a Jew, Levi knew he was in danger while living in fascist Northern Italy. By 1943, the Nazis had moved south and set up holding camps around Italy to detain political prisoners and those of the Jewish nationality until they could be transported to established concentration camps such as Auschwitz and Dachau. This book depicts what happened to Levi after his arrest in 1944. Along with 650 others, he was loaded into a freight train for a four day journey without food or water and without the liberty to leave the train at anytime. Upon their arrival at the camp of Auschwitz, Poland, the first of a precession of selections took place. The German SS Soldiers separated those they deemed capable of work from those they deemed incapable, such as women, children and elderly. Only 135 of the 650 from Levi's train were admitted into Auschwitz, the other 515 went immediately to the gas chambers. These methods of selection were to a degree, a logical means as compared to other random selections. "Later, a simpler method was adopted that involved merely opening both doors on the train. Without warning or instruction to the new arrivals, those who by chance climbed down on one side of the convoy entered the camp; the others went to the gas chamber."(20) He was herded with the others into the camp and after being striped naked and having his head shaved, he was given an old striped uniform and the identification numbers 174517 tattooed on his arm. Levi recalled with remarkable accuracy the humiliation and confusion felt as he was forced to assimilate into his new surroundings. The food rations were too insufficient to stave off the hunger. Thousands of others around him were suffering and unavoidably dying as a result of this insufficient food supply. Although he was new to the camp, his experiences with others and his own observations told him that the Germans militant nature was at its worst. In order to outlive the war and survive, he found ways to maintain the illusion of usefulness with the least possible exertion. Any protest or disobedience from prisoners ended swiftly with beatings and death. An iron sign above the front gates proclaimed the camp slogan "Arbeit Macht Frei". This translated to; "work gives you freedom. " Prisoners of Auschwitz were forced to work seven days a week with two Sundays off a month which were filled with tedious, exhausting tasks and were often the only opportunity available was to attend to personal hygiene needs. The bulk of their time was spent working 16-hour days in factories and around the camp, making supplies for the war and other items for the Germans. With little food and inadequate clothing, it was easy to fall ill or die from exhaustion while working in the snow and rain. Levi was lucky enough to be sent to (and return from) the Ka-be or the infirmary to recover from an injury to his Achilles tendon. The Ka-be was overcrowded, and was populated by individuals with deadly, communicable diseases such as typhus and dysentery. There were no medicines available to relieve the symptoms and the pain and suffering was widespread. Despite this he was able to rest and build up some strength before returning back to work. Much of the work assigned to them was needless. It was given for the purpose of wearing down the prisoner and making him weaker. A weak prisoner was less likely to protest or attempt to escape. Levi described how many of the prisoners, after long hours of manual labor, would gather in a corner of the camp for a market. They would trade rations and stolen goods. Such goods as a spoon or buttons were as valuable as gold. The market followed all the classical economic laws. This seemed to show the ability of people to live and think and work in the most adverse of conditions. Inside the barbed wire, the prisoners had created their own social and economical world in order to endure. Primo Levi seems to write as

Captain Mac Whirr essays

Captain Mac Whirr essays The great leadership qualities of Captain MacWhirr It is said that trials and difficult times in life do not produce character, but rather reveal it. Throughout the great typhoon of the sea, and the storm of personalities on board, it is evident that Captain MacWhirr possessed great leadership skills . Whether the Captain had to deal with impatient Jukes or navigate through the horrific storm, justice, temperance, fortitude, and prudence were always on display. One of the necessary qualities for effective leadership is justice. If a person in authority has many talents and gifts to lead, but does not possess justice, factions are inevitable. Justice is the glue that keeps a team or a ship together. Captain MacWhirr demonstrated the character quality of justice in two ways. The first example of justice was demonstrated when MacWhirr commanded that the ship be steered four degrees off course for the comfort of the Chinamen (155). At this time in history all men were not treated equal and the Chinamen were looked upon as lower citizens. Captain MacWhirr refused to look upon them as lesser than himself and was just in going out of his way to ensure their comfort. The second way that justice was effectively demonstrated was in the way that Captain MacWhirr protected the Chinamen from fighting amongst themselves (174). Captain MacWhirr knew that it would take a team effort to be successful on the Sea, and therefore did not allow favoritism. No fighting was allowed on board and that meant the Chinamen also. Captain MacWhirrs leadership was steady because he possessed temperance. It is said that every ship that Captain MacWhirr controlled was a ship filled with peace and harmony (140). Anytime a captain was surrounded by a group of mortal sailors it took great self-control or temperance to keep all in harmony, maintaining an atmosphere of peace. Though Captain MacWhirr felt the loneliness of command, he ...

Listening Log Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Listening Log - Essay Example There is a sadness that is much more explicit than the original that gives a whole new dimension to the beautifully rendered lyrics. Title: Sweet Dreams Album: Sucker Punch Artist: Emily Browning Year of Release: 2011 Rock Style: Pop Musical Characteristics: Once again, the remake is more haunting, the music creating a more powerful message in that their seems to be more of a threat than the original sung by Annie Lennox. The music is defined by a more ethereal and dream like synthesized backdrop. The sound of Browning’s voice is sweeter than both Annie Lennox or the cover done in 1995 by Marilyn Manson whose tone was far more threatening. Browning creates a wistful, less feminist sound than was created by Lennox, and within the framework of the musical translation, the music sounds more victim oriented than empowering. Comparison The original versions of each of these songs can most easily be identified as pop music, with the Lennox version through the Eurithmics being a bit more alternative in the popular genre as it was being expressed in the 1980s. Both remakes create their variation through a socially relevant musicality that comments on the current social situation over that of the original.