Levi has endured more than I believe I will ever truly process. His experiences are being told with stunning accuracy and I sometimes question how he recalls them, not only in such detail, but also so soon after his imprisonment. The mental fortitude he possessed was almost superhuman by my standards. Towards the end of The Events of Summer, Levi describes the complex and intense campaigns of "spying" undergone to determine who is benefitting from a generous civilian.
He says "Whoever allows himself to be seen eating 'organized' food is judged quite severely."
Two things come to mind. One, the fact that civilians even risk anything to help is phenomenal. Levi has been given a massive break, and it's not hard to understand why this has restored hope that there is actually some good left in the world. However, reading about how harshly the others treated them was understandable, but disheartening. I'm sure survival instincts have led to plenty of envy in the suffering souls, but reading how one man's generous gift can lead to another man's condemnation reminds me of the difficulty in surviving. Did Levi feel guilty in not sharing with everyone? I certainly don't know what I would do in such a situation, but I'm afraid the guilt would weigh in on me. Apart from the negativity, I enjoyed reading about the hope that Levi gained in Lorenzo's generosity. He mentions the "undesirables" type class that the prisoners fell into and the mental estrangement and isolation associated with it, but the generosity of one individual can go a long way.
He said "... I believe that it was really due to Lorenzo that I am alive today..."
I have total confidence that love can restore much of the dehumanizing scars implanted by the Nazis. Love can cover a multitude of sins, and I am certain that Lorenzo's actions restored Levi's will to continue. He was reminded that he was a human being. He was being shown that Lorenzo cares enough about his well being that he will risk his own life. Would you risk your life to help another human in a situation, when it's very likely they won't survive the event anyways? Lorenzo risked his own life and Levi is certainly grateful for it.
I commented n the posts of Jamie Peters and Moriah Nelson.
He says "Whoever allows himself to be seen eating 'organized' food is judged quite severely."
Two things come to mind. One, the fact that civilians even risk anything to help is phenomenal. Levi has been given a massive break, and it's not hard to understand why this has restored hope that there is actually some good left in the world. However, reading about how harshly the others treated them was understandable, but disheartening. I'm sure survival instincts have led to plenty of envy in the suffering souls, but reading how one man's generous gift can lead to another man's condemnation reminds me of the difficulty in surviving. Did Levi feel guilty in not sharing with everyone? I certainly don't know what I would do in such a situation, but I'm afraid the guilt would weigh in on me. Apart from the negativity, I enjoyed reading about the hope that Levi gained in Lorenzo's generosity. He mentions the "undesirables" type class that the prisoners fell into and the mental estrangement and isolation associated with it, but the generosity of one individual can go a long way.
He said "... I believe that it was really due to Lorenzo that I am alive today..."
I have total confidence that love can restore much of the dehumanizing scars implanted by the Nazis. Love can cover a multitude of sins, and I am certain that Lorenzo's actions restored Levi's will to continue. He was reminded that he was a human being. He was being shown that Lorenzo cares enough about his well being that he will risk his own life. Would you risk your life to help another human in a situation, when it's very likely they won't survive the event anyways? Lorenzo risked his own life and Levi is certainly grateful for it.
I commented n the posts of Jamie Peters and Moriah Nelson.
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