journal 11

The poem about Ulysses (the greek epic poem also called Odysseus where it explains the Ithacan king returning from Trojan war)that Primo explains to Pikolo is basically a poem that invigorates hopes to the hopeless people. The poem, in a different way, talks about Ulysses' dangerous adventure through the ocean and troubles. This sort of reminds the prisoners in Auschwitz. Odysseus (or Ulysses whatever) was forced to go to trojan war because of Menelaus, king of sparta, and it took long time to come back to his home, just like jewish people in the camp. Jewish were forced to come to the camp because of German nazis. They were labored and until the German Nazis were defeated, the prisoners lived a animal-like life. Many jewish died, as well as Ody's men. Ody's poem might have gave the prisoners feel hopeful because Ody was successful at last getting to his home. They probably believed that, just like Ody, they will also live throughout the camp (although that is not sure because anybody can die anytime) and return home.

Journal 10

What ill-luck, I cannot even talk to the others to hear what questions they are asking. pg 105

It must be very uncomfortable not able to communicate or even understand the germans. However, the non-german people had to suck it up and try to do what the German officers say to them. In the earlier chapter the prisoners learned that they shouldn't ask question to the German officers or ask to repeat. Primo had little knowledge on German language however he was still an amateur at it. Chemical examination seems to have been important event for Primo because he was expert at chemistry. But because he couldn't understand what 'Alex' was saying, he had to guess by Alex's look at follow the action. If he makes one wrong move, he will be flunked in Chemical examination.

journal 9

In chapter 9, Primo talks about how to be a good survivor. There was this one guy in camp, who is a loner (actually everybody are loners because nobody help each other to survive), but cunning. In order to survive this harsh camp, one must think about how to get off from the hard jobs. He can sacrifice his hunger for one meal and trade a bread for something and avoid from work. Then he will keep his plan for himself to use it again. If too much people use his plans, then the plan the original man created will be useless next time when he uses it. Therefore in order to survive this horrid camp, one must be cunning and sneaky.

journal 8

As the food were used for money or trading, the shirt also became one of them. The shirt was issued for prisoners whenever they lost it or can't be worn. So the prisoners decided to trade shirts for food and the same things that they traded for with bread. Although losing clothes will lead to harsh punishment for the prisoners, in order to survive and get what prisoners want, they'll do anything to get it. They are going to die anyway, so why not do what they want?

Then primo talks about ration of bread, cigarettes, shirts, buna factories and rest of the materials that exist in Auschwitz camp.

Although, this place is a camp, it does seem more like a prison (probably it is) because prisoners work and get small amount of food that everybody complain about. The SS men has no mercy for the thief as well as the victim. SSmen does not care or rather encourage the theft to happen, so that SS men can punish them both for their mischeives.

Journal 7

From this chapter, prisoners start talking about food. First a boy named Sigi would talk about his mother in Vienna and the third dishes of bean soup he couldn't finish. Then other person would talk about his country and the food and so and on. Every international prisoners miss their food fron their country. Then Primo would think about how weak their flesh is. He figured that they are all in fantasies of food because of their hunger.
Hunger also leads to pilfering food and survival of fittest. One who is smart to get food can obtain quite more rations than he could and those who does not watch for their food would see their food stolen in a second. Bread loses its taste and nutrition if time passes. Therefore, it is smart to chop it in ones mouth before it gets stolen or rotten.
Also, the soup comes in the meal which satisfies the prisoners. Sometimes the soup comes in mass amount therefore one can get 6 pints of hot soup.

Journal 6

PG 70. "Oh, If one could only cry! Oh, if one could only affront the wind as we once used to, one equal terms, and not as we do here, like a cringing dogs. We are outside and everyone picks up his lever"

Primo is desperate for freedom. In my opinion, the wind in this phrase means freedom or "better treatment." In the camp, only German are the superior beings and rest of the prisoners had unequal rights. The harsh treatment made the workers discouraged and sad. The only thing that can invigorate these workers are the smell of freedom or care from somebody. Dogs also like to get treated with care. Dogs symbolizes to workers in this phrase.

Journal 5

In chapter 5, Primo explains how Ka-Be is more better place than a camp. At least one can sleep comfortably without working, however when prisoners have to go to the camp, they will grumble and march to work. In pg 56-57,

"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 button. He searches for a human contact and only finds backs turned on him. He is helpless and vulnerable as a new-born baby, but the following morning he will still have to march to work."

This quote explains how the patients from Ka-Be goes back to work. Their relaxing time ends and have to wear old prisoner-worker clothes that is so uncomfortable for their body. They have to get used to work again after the break time. The dark and cold of sidereal space seems to relate to the camp life because it is very gloomy prison there. Even if he did not want to go, he must suck it up and go to work again.

IN pg 61, "One can hear the sleepers breathing and snoring; some groan and speak. Many lick their lips and move their jaws. They are dreaming of eating; this is also a collective dream. It is a pitiless dream which the creator of the tantalus myth must have known." This quote explains the prisoners are missing the food they ate before they were captured. Since they only eat bread and soup, it is a logical thing that they should be dreaming about food. However, a gourmet is like a myth in the camp since no one can eat heartily. They are just dreaming hopeless dream.