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Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—The Gates of Auschwitz:
Lale looks up at the words "Arbeit Macht Frei" emblazoned on the gates every time he and Baretski are marched back through the gates of Auschwitz. Here, Morris uses a historical allusion and situational irony to expose the brutal deception in this “motto”:
Once more, they arrive at the gates into Auschwitz, and Lale looks up at the words emblazoned above: Arbeit Macht Frei. He silently curses whatever god may be listening.
The historical allusion here refers directly to the actual sign placed above the gates of several Nazi concentration camps, most famously Auschwitz. The phrase “Arbeit Macht Frei” means “Work Sets You Free.” It was a deliberate piece of Nazi propaganda. Many people forcibly deported to the camps were initially deceived into believing they were being relocated to work. The sign became a symbol of this cruel deception, as the reality for most arrivals was not “freedom” through labor, but rather enslavement and eventual death. The allusion links this horrible lie to Lale's personal experience. The situational irony of "Arbeit Macht Frei" stems from the painful contrast between the slogan’s literal meaning and the horrific reality of the “work” of Auschwitz. The promise of "freedom through work" is ironic because the forced labor within Auschwitz was explicitly designed to exploit and ultimately destroy its prisoners. Instead of leading to their liberation, work in the camp was a tool of persecution and very often a direct path to death.
Related Themes:
Chapter 22
Explanation and Analysis—Mengele:
This chilling passage uses an allusion to build a sense of the threat always hanging over Lale at Auschwitz. In this scene, Dr. Mengele, a notoriously cruel and sadistic SS officer, directly confronts Lale at his tattooing station:
“Tätowierer, Tätowierer,” Mengele says, leaning over the table, “maybe today I will take you.” He tilts his head, seeming to enjoy Lale’s discomfort. Then, having had his fun, he ambles away. Something light lands on Lale’s head and he looks up. Ash is belching from the nearby crematorium. He starts to tremble and drops his tattoo stick.
The figure of Dr. Mengele as Morris describes him here is a direct allusion to a notorious SS doctor at Auschwitz. The real Josef Mengele was notorious for conducting cruel medical experiments on prisoners. He was also known for his active part in choosing which prisoners would live, and which would be immediately gassed to death. When Mengele tells Lale “maybe today I will take you” he is cruelly alluding to these selection processes. The taunting nature of his words, coupled with the fact that he clearly “enjoy[s] Lale’s discomfort” shows the immense power Mengele wielded over prisoners' lives. He’s teasing Lale, but because Mengele could actually sentence him to death at any moment, the joke is entirely one-sided.
The ash that falls on Lale’s head from a nearby crematorium is another allusion to the war crimes of Auschwitz. People who failed Mengele’s “selections” were murdered in gas chambers and then burned in cremation ovens. These crematoria were used to dispose of the bodies of countless victims. The physical presence of the ash landing on Lale makes this horror feel immediate and tangible. Mengele’s preceding threat intensifies Lale's reaction to the ashfall. Mengele is joking about “taking” him, but the results of his actually “taking” people are falling through the air all around them.
Related Themes:
