FIVE : Our Nights

The fifth chapter of the book was not too long and not too short. Lengthwise, I thought it was perfect for any story it would contain. Primo Levi, however, changed my thoughts upon the content of chapter five. It primarily explains the events that happen during bedtime. I was shocked at the fact how elaborately Primo Levi explained the nightlife of a block.

There are indeed many events happening even in the shadows of night. It is indeed appalling by the fact that many precautious measures are taken with careful thought when an individual in the concentration camps act.

A fair example is upon the tin bucket that resembles the toilet for the night in bunks. Primo Levi explains how people who have the urgency of going to the restroom use the tin bucket to relieve their biological needs. Upon this action, there are differences from those who are new to the camp and those who consider themselves veterans. This is resulted from the fact that ‘the last user of the bucket must empty it outside’. Levi explains how veterans here the sound of the sides of the bucket and the level of filling up before actually using it. He says that most of the time, they are able to use the tin bucket and avoid the emptying process. Newcomers, however do not know when to use the bucket and therefore often are subjected to the emptying action.

Primo Levi also portrays how sleeping can be in the concentration camps. He explains how bunkmates are vital to a healthy sleep during the night. Tall companions are therefore disadvantaging because of the room they take up. He also describes how sleeping is a sort of protection from the physical work outside. But most of all, it impacted me most when Primo Levi had said that the majority of the prisoners were ready to wake up even before the night guards officially announce to when to wake up. This definitely shows how the prisoners were willing to be obedient to avoid trouble and an extra beating.

The chapters of the book make me think again how thankful my position in life is. Some of the stories described are things I probably will never experience in my life. And it makes me think how it would have been if I were to process the same experience that the camp survivors claim to have gone through.