It was really lucky for Primo Levi to have the opportunity to work as a chemist. Working as a specialist would make his work easier. At least, he wouldn’t have to carry heavy metal bars.
Primo Levi wrote that “one should never anticipate, especially optimistically” (107). He should not count on the chemical examination. It just gave him no work for a day which would make him less hungry. I like that he pointed out people should not think optimistically in Auschwitz. I personally think that we become more disappointed when we more expect something. Higher the expectation is, more disappointment we get. I’ve learned the lesson through my experience. For example, when I expected good grades for my tests, I found myself very disappointed the results were not as good as I expected because I was only expecting to get good grades. I was not ready for “not so good” grades. I think the same idea applies in Auschwitz. If Primo Levi optimistically anticipated of becoming a specialist in Auschwitz, he would have been very disappointed when he wasn’t selected. However, if he didn’t expect anything except spending a day without working, he would rejoice greatly when he becomes a specialist. Positive expectation can sometimes create a false hope among people and block them from seeing the reality.
Memorable Quotes:
“But have the Germans such great need of chemists? Or is it a new trick, a new machine ‘pour faire chier les Juifs’? Are they aware of the grotesque and absurd test asked of us, of us who are no longer alive, of us who have already gone half-crazy in the dreary expectation of nothing?” (103).
“I already know the Lager well enough to realize that one should never anticipate, especially optimistically. What is certain is that I have spent a day without working, so that tonight I will have a little less hunger, and this is a concrete advantage, not to be taken away” (107).
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