SEVENTEEN : The Story of Ten Days

Chapter 17, finally an end of the horrifying camps? Levi’s escape and his journey back to humanity? Victory against the SS? Survival considered strength? Nonsense.

Primo Levi and comrades, the seven people, had achieved success to survive the ten days. With somewhat luck and the crave for survival, they were able to find those that were essential to the survival of a human being. Through those ten days, they fought against illness and grasped survival until the Russians could finally rescue them. Following their immediate rescue, these men were served in a temporary hostpital of the russians and then sent home. Although Primo Levi had survied Auschwitz, I stronly believe that he probably had felt to some extent guilt. Because you see, the most hardest endurance in the world is to see comrades, friends and family die away one by one, untill only a handful are left while you are alone still living. Levi probably would have felt pain to see himself still struggling for life while his friends and family are sent to the crematorium.

Although many or enough prisoners had fought against the SS soldiers through rebellious activiteis, Levi couldn't even utter a single word against them. So is survival such a grace? I believe that because of survival in Auschwitz, Levi was that much tormented by his past in the present which lead him to his suicide. It is difficult to endure memories that haunt you. Levi probably couldn't even had a sound sleep due to nightmares of the camps.

Through the last chapter, I came across an article that had suggested about the title of the book. In the US version, it is adapted as 'Survival in Auschwitz'. The meaning of the orignal version was meant to be 'If this is a Man'. The latter, I believe has much more significance and impact upon the content of the book. The reason I state such a matter is because throughout the book, Levi portrays the SS soldiers and Germans as 'inhumane'. He often discusses how such a man could hit another without anger. Through the content of the book, I believe that the title of the original version goes along better.