Journal 16 : The Last One

“Who answered ‘Jawohl’? Everybody and nobody: it was as if our cursed resignation took body by itself, as if it turned into a collective voice above our heads (pg 149).”

A man was being killed in front of the Jews. When the Germans asked the Jews (Primo Levi and Alberto) whether they understand why the man was being killed, no one had a choice to be against it. After the short answer of the Jews, the cry of the doomed man pierced into their hearts, as if he was yelling “Comrades, I am the last one!” Then after the man’s death, the Jews were able to be dismissed. When the trapdoor opened, the body wriggled horribly and the Jews had to pass by the quivering body of the dying man. How creepy.

After being dismissed, Alberto and Primo Levi couldn’t say anything but feel shameful. “To destroy a man is difficult, almost as difficult as to create one: it has not been easy, nor quick, but you Germans have succeeded. Here we are, docile under your gaze; from our side you have nothing more to fear; no acts of violence, no words of defiance, not even a look of judgement (pg 150).” To the Germans, Jewish people did not worth any value. It was easy for the Germans to kill the Jews without any sympathy. They can just kill a Jew without any resistance from anyone. That’s why Primo and Alberto weren’t able to do anything for the dying man. They couldn’t act violently, couldn’t speak out for the dying man, and couldn’t even look as if they were caring for the man. Primo and Alberto needed to show their indifferent eyes in order to pass by the SS officers.

Obviously, they would feel shameful about themselves. But what can they do about? If they care about the dying man, they would also end up as him. To the Germans, Jews were worthless and powerless at the same time.