As well as Lorenzo from Chapter 12, once again I noticed another interesting character through this chapter. In Chapter 14, Primo Levi introduces a character Kraus, who works with him during the windy days. It has been November and the days kept on pouring rain upon the prisoners. Obviously, who wants to work when it’s raining?
“Poor Kraus, his is not reasoning, it is only the stupid honesty of a small employee, he brought it along with him, and 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 (pg 132).”
Well, Kraus does. He is not willing to work during rainy days, but he is willing to work assiduously. As the quote said, his honesty made him to be honest and logical to work, and he is probably motivated by a phrase “one works the more one earns and eats.” However, does Kraus really have to be diligent of what he is doing? Although I tend to try my best on everything I do, somehow, I understand Primo Levi’s point of view towards Kraus, thinking Kraus is being silly and foolish. By working hard, no one can earn more or eat more inside the Auschwitz. In Chapter 2, it stated “Arbeit Macht Frei, work gives freedom (pg 22),” but the more you work hard, the more energy you get to waste. Tomorrow does not mean anything to the Jews anymore. Every day is just the same to the Jews, working, working, and working. And as a result, all they get is a poor amount of soup and bread. Maybe that’s why Primo wanted to teach Kraus a lesson, that being a honest hard-working man does not mean anything inside the Auschwitz.
“But who can seriously think about tomorrow? Until one day there will be no more sense in saying: tomorrow (pg 133).”
“Poor Kraus, his is not reasoning, it is only the stupid honesty of a small employee, he brought it along with him, and 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 (pg 132).”
Well, Kraus does. He is not willing to work during rainy days, but he is willing to work assiduously. As the quote said, his honesty made him to be honest and logical to work, and he is probably motivated by a phrase “one works the more one earns and eats.” However, does Kraus really have to be diligent of what he is doing? Although I tend to try my best on everything I do, somehow, I understand Primo Levi’s point of view towards Kraus, thinking Kraus is being silly and foolish. By working hard, no one can earn more or eat more inside the Auschwitz. In Chapter 2, it stated “Arbeit Macht Frei, work gives freedom (pg 22),” but the more you work hard, the more energy you get to waste. Tomorrow does not mean anything to the Jews anymore. Every day is just the same to the Jews, working, working, and working. And as a result, all they get is a poor amount of soup and bread. Maybe that’s why Primo wanted to teach Kraus a lesson, that being a honest hard-working man does not mean anything inside the Auschwitz.
“But who can seriously think about tomorrow? Until one day there will be no more sense in saying: tomorrow (pg 133).”
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