Survival in Auschwitz

by

Primo Levi

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Survival in Auschwitz makes teaching easy.

Kommando Term Analysis

German for “unit,” a Kommando is a working group of slaves who labor for the Lager, led by a Kapo. Most Kommandos have 100 to 200 men in them, but the chemical Kommando only has 15.
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Kommando Term Timeline in Survival in Auschwitz

The timeline below shows where the term Kommando appears in Survival in Auschwitz. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2. On the Bottom
Dehumanization and Resistance Theme Icon
Racial Hierarchy Theme Icon
...enough to be worth preserving their life. Each man is assigned to work in a Kommando, usually comprised of 50 to 150 laborers, each governed by a Kapo. Unskilled Kommandos are... (full context)
Chapter 3. Initiation
Dehumanization and Resistance Theme Icon
Adaptability, Chance, and Survival Theme Icon
Racial Hierarchy Theme Icon
...first few days, after being moved from hut to hut, Levi is assigned to a Kommando and to sleep in Block 30. His first night of sleep is fitful, and when... (full context)
Chapter 5. Our Nights
Adaptability, Chance, and Survival Theme Icon
...is dangerous in itself, since one is put randomly into a new block and new Kommando where they are unaware of the rules, customs, the inclinations of the Kapo. Every unknown... (full context)
Chapter 6. The Work
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Adaptability, Chance, and Survival Theme Icon
Oppression, Power, and Cruelty Theme Icon
...kind and courteous, and Levi appreciates his company when they are assigned to the same Kommando. The Kapo accompanies his Kommando to the worksite, hands them off to a civilian supervisor,... (full context)
Chapter 7. A Good Day
Dehumanization and Resistance Theme Icon
Adaptability, Chance, and Survival Theme Icon
The Kommando’s “organizer” (the man who finds or bargains for additional food, tools, and supplies) has managed... (full context)
Chapter 9. The Drowned and the Saved
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Adaptability, Chance, and Survival Theme Icon
Moral Relativity Theme Icon
Oppression, Power, and Cruelty Theme Icon
...will eventually become one. When L. is appointed as the technical lead of the chemical Kommando, he uses his position to efficiently suppress any younger man who seems like he may... (full context)
Chapter 10. Chemical Examination
Adaptability, Chance, and Survival Theme Icon
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Three months into Levi’s internment, the Chemical Kommando is formed. Fifteen Häftlinge, including Levi and Alberto, are assigned to it. Although it was... (full context)
Chapter 11. The Canto of Ulysses
Adaptability, Chance, and Survival Theme Icon
Racial Hierarchy Theme Icon
As the men of the Chemical Kommando are working, Jean arrives. Jean is a teenager, the Kommando’s messenger-clerk, which is itself quite... (full context)
Chapter 15. Die drei Leute vom Labor
Adaptability, Chance, and Survival Theme Icon
Moral Relativity Theme Icon
The rain of November becomes winter snow, and the workers of the chemical Kommando think only of how wrong they were to hope their lives would improve in a... (full context)