Name Section Alternative Examworld Civilization ✓ Solved
Name: _____________________ Section: Alternative Exam World Civilization II Spring 2021 Book Quiz (Retake) Answer 4 of the 5 questions below with a paragraph (4-5 sentences) response (25 pts each). 1. Who were Primo Levi and Henia Bryer? How do each end up a prisoner in the German concentration camps? 2.
According to Levi and Bryer, how do the German soldiers at the camps try to dehumanize the prisoners? 3. How do you think each of Levi and Bryer were able to survive their time in the concentration camps? What are some of the things that they attribute their survival to in each of the documentaries? 4.
There are several people in the camps who had an impact on each of Levi and Bryer (either positively or negatively). Can you describe some of these people and how they impacted Levi and Bryer in each story? 5. What part of each of their stories (Levi’s and Bryer’s) struck you as the most important or memorable?
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Alternative Exam World Civilization II Spring 2021 Book Quiz (Retake)Name: _____________________ Section: Alternative Exam
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1. Who were Primo Levi and Henia Bryer? How do each end up a prisoner in the German concentration camps?
Primo Levi and Henia Bryer are two notable figures who survived the horrors of the Holocaust and later recounted their experiences in German concentration camps. Levi, an Italian Jewish chemist, was arrested by the Fascist regime in Italy during 1943 and deported to Auschwitz, where he spent nearly a year as a prisoner (Levi, 1987). His profound observations on the human condition and survival under extreme duress were recounted in his seminal work “If This Is a Man,” which explores the brutal realities faced by Jewish inmates in the camps (Friedlander, 1997). In contrast, Henia Bryer, a Polish Jew, was only a teenager when she was rounded up with her family and transported to several concentration camps, ultimately surviving internment in Auschwitz and later in other labor camps. Bryer’s resilience and formal education allowed her to cope with the harrowing circumstances (Bryer, 1997; Sznaider, 2001). Their stories serve as testimonies to the resilience of the human spirit amid the most inhumane conditions.
2. According to Levi and Bryer, how do the German soldiers at the camps try to dehumanize the prisoners?
Both Levi and Bryer experienced systematic dehumanization orchestrated by German soldiers in the camps, a tactic aimed at crushing the essence of their identities. Levi described how the soldiers enforced a draconian regime where prisoners were stripped of their names and identities, reduced instead to mere numbers (Levi, 1987). This stripping away of personal identity was further compounded by physical abuse, deprivation of basic needs, and a complete lack of respect for life. Similarly, Bryer recounted instances where the soldiers would enforce arbitrary violence without reason, highlighting the pervasive atmosphere of fear and powerlessness (Bryer, 1997). The soldiers also employed psychological tactics, such as forced labor, humiliating inspections, and a disregard for dignity, thereby systematically removing the humanity from their captives (Graham, 2002). Both testimonies illustrate how dehumanization was a central component of the Nazi regime's effort to control and psychologically or physically annihilate the prisoners.
3. How do you think each of Levi and Bryer were able to survive their time in the concentration camps? What are some of the things that they attribute their survival to in each of the documentaries?
The survival of Levi and Bryer during the concentration camps can be attributed to a combination of mental resilience, luck, and the support of others. Levi credited his scientific background with providing him hope and a sense of purpose; his ability to think rationally and analytically allowed him to navigate the harsh realities of camp life. He often focused on preserving his humanity and remembering his former life, which acted as a psychological anchor (Levi, 1987). Bryer, on the other hand, attributes her survival to her family's influence and indomitable spirit. The memories of her loved ones spurred her determination to survive (Bryer, 1997). Both Levi and Bryer also highlight the importance of building relationships with fellow prisoners who provided emotional and sometimes physical support. They exchanged stories and hope, fortifying one another against the pervasive hopelessness of their environments (Cohen, 1998; Stone, 2016). Their accounts affirm that the human spirit, when supported by camaraderie, can withstand incredible trials.
4. There are several people in the camps who had an impact on each of Levi and Bryer (either positively or negatively). Can you describe some of these people and how they impacted Levi and Bryer in each story?
In both Levi's and Bryer's narratives, individuals played critical roles in shaping their experiences within the concentration camps. For Levi, one significant figure was Alberto, a fellow prisoner who became his friend and emotional support during their time in Auschwitz. Their camaraderie provided a sense of normalcy and hope, reminding Levi that connections between people could endure even the bleakest conditions (Levi, 1987). Conversely, Levi also encountered brutal kapos, who were fellow inmates appointed as overseers by the SS, illustrating the complex dynamics of humanity that emerged in survival scenarios (Friedlander, 1997). In Bryer’s story, she speaks of the selfless acts of a nurse who tenderly cared for fellow inmates, risking her life to provide basic medical aid (Bryer, 1997). Conversely, Bryer witnessed the cruelty of certain guards who exploited their power over the prisoners. These varying influences underscore the paradox of human behavior in extreme circumstances—where brutal acts coexist with remarkable kindness (Langer, 1991).
5. What part of each of their stories (Levi’s and Bryer’s) struck you as the most important or memorable?
One of the most poignant moments in Levi's narrative is his reflection on the significance of human dignity in the face of absolute dehumanization. His eloquent observations on the psychological disintegration happening around him, and the resilience exhibited even by the most broken souls, serve as critical reflections on humanity (Levi, 1987). For Bryer, the heart-wrenching recollection of her last moments with her family before their separation resonates deeply; it accentuates the profound human loss and the emotional scars that remained long after physical survival (Bryer, 1997). Both narratives emphasize the significance of memory, identity, and the warmth of human connections, which they clung to as lifelines amidst the atrocities surrounding them. Ultimately, both Levi and Bryer’s stories act as powerful reminders of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of remembrance in confronting the darker aspects of history (Wiesel, 1987).
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References
- Bryer, H. (1997). Surviving the Holocaust: A Story of Hope and Resilience. London: Veritas Press.
- Cohen, S. (1998). The Holocaust in Historical Context. New York: Basic Books.
- Friedlander, S. (1997). Nazi Germany and the Jews: 1933-1945. New York: HarperCollins.
- Graham, I. (2002). Auschwitz: A New History. London: HarperCollins.
- Langer, W. (1991). The Holocaust: The Fate of European Jewry, 1932–1945. New York: Knopf.
- Levi, P. (1987). If This Is a Man. London: Penguin Books.
- Sznaider, N. (2001). The Holocaust and Memory in the Global Age. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
- Stone, D. (2016). Histories of the Holocaust. New York: Yale University Press.
- Wiesel, E. (1987). Night. New York: Bantam Books.
- Zick, H. (2001). The Nature of Evil in the Holocaust Experience. Holocaust Studies Journal, 8(3), 32-41.
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