-
Frankl, his friend he meant from the concentration camp, a 180 others are lined in rows for their detachment. They were to march and work on command of the guards. He was suffering from edema; his legs were swollen and the skin on the so tightly stretched...he could barely bend his knees. Every single step became real torture, but he found a way to be positive. Because there was little to be happy about, he was glad to be put in the first row and focused on that little bit of honor.
-
In 1942, Frankl was deported to a Nazi concentration camp along with his parents, wife, and other family members. HE was arrested and sent to Theresienstadt Ghetto. Here, one of the first things the SS men did to dehumanize them were giving them tattoos. At the Ghetto is mother was exterminated and when he asks to see her; the SS men points at the smoke from the gas chambers floating up into the sky...
-
After marching in the first row during the detachment, he was given something. As an honor, as long as they received soup, the worker would spoon out fish and a few peas for him. A former army officer had the courage to whisper him that he knew him as an unusually good officer. Even though these gifts weren't much, it was enough for Frankl. It is hard to find people who are still able to remain caring and friendly when others are taking advantage. This kept him hopeful for more.
-
These events show that show over the course of many years in concentration camps, how Viktor evolved into a more positive person. Theme statement: Your struggles and hardships make you stronger.
-
Frankl is again, at another detachment. During this march, it was during an icy, cold day. Commands would include,"caps off!" This was feared because many couldn't take the cold. Hardly a word was spoken, the wind did not encourage it. Occasionally, he looked at the sky, where his mind clung to his wife's image. Imaging her encouraging him, smiling, and answering him. Real or not, her look was more luminous than the sun rising.
-
Being knocked down, kicked, and punched isn't the worst part of beatings. Frankl was in Auschwitz at the time when he was shoveling a mound of dirt in bitter cold weather. He says the worst part of beatings is the insults connected with the cruelty and pain. Having blood rushing isn't as bad as listening to a man who barely knows you judge your life.
-
Auschwitz! The dreadful realization... the name stood for all that was horrible. Frankl was scarred with painful sights, step by step, you had to become accustomed to a terrible immense horror. His wife is sent to Bergen-Belsen and she dies at 24. Frankl finally starts to realize the meaning of life...
-
Viktor is working in the ditch and this time things are a little different. He is not hating it, tired, or hopeless anymore. This was easily fixed. He simply clung onto the image of his wife. He imagined about his nostalgic memories and they glorified him. Those memories and his life now are very distant, but spirit reached out for them; he took bus rides, answered the phone...these thoughts moved him to tears. Under the spirit's influence, he often forgot the frightful experience.
