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The Drowned And The Saved Analysis

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The Drowned and the Saved was created from the memories and testimonies of survivors of the Holocaust, but in particular the experiences of the author. Primo Levi draws greatly on his previous work and correspondence following his liberation from Auschwitz. The Drowned and the Saved, written decades after the war ended, essentially is a reflection on how perception of the atrocities has changed and is being forgotten. It is a warning not to erase the horror with simplifications. It is an explanation and defence of survivors and who they truly are. The Drowned and the Saved is a meticulous examination of both the prisoners and the officials of the camp as well as the general public, meditating on the meaning of the mass exterminations while also arguing it should not be forgotten. Levi presents an analytical discussion of his experience in the camps and after, considering

The Drowned and the Saved outlines the author’s survival of Auschwitz, but more importantly considers the emotions of survivors and the German people after the their release. Levi discusses in detail the shame the prisoners felt once released. This is a perspective unique to Levi and other narratives like his. He attempts to offers justifications and explains emotions, which no one without experiencing it could understand. The …show more content…

He writes of the oversimplification of survivors’ experiences and the romanisation of liberation. The Holocaust is reduced to something historically accepted, which does not convey the meaning of the loss experienced. This is an extremely important reminder for historians as well as society as a whole. In its analytical approach, The Drowned and the Saved impresses upon readers the importance the atrocities committed during the Holocaust; these crimes have to have meaning. Historians must learn not to reduce and simplify events, to try their best to create a deep and complete understanding of

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