Language:
French
Year of publication:
1999
Titel der Quelle:
Les Temps Modernes
Angaben zur Quelle:
606 (1999) 47-56
Keywords:
Levi, Primo,
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945), in literature
;
Jewish literature History and criticism
Abstract:
Analyzes Levi's ambiguous attitude toward the German language. Already familiar with scientific German when confronted with the crude German of the concentration camps, Levi made a point of learning the language well in order to understand Nazi commands and to communicate with other inmates. After the war Levi remained loyal to the language of the camps. Interprets this as loyalty to fellow inmates and their common experience, and as reflecting Levi's opposition to the German postwar policy of purifying the past and its language. also examines to what extent Levi's crude German serves as a protective shield in his search to understand the Germans and their motives. Despite the total breakdown of communication with the Germans in the camps and right after the liberation, Levi viewed the publication of "Se questo e un uomo" in German as a victory.
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