Totalitarianism
Atomized and Alienated: The Place of This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen in Hannah Arendt's Totalitarian ModelIn Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt outlines the fundamental qualities that characterize and allow the rise of a totalitarian regime. From the outset, the atomization of the masses, and their subsequent alienation provide the foundation for the construction of the regime. This atomization and alienation find subtle, but powerful expression in Tadeusz Borowski's This way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen. In his stories of Auschwitz, Borowski offers an insight into the Nazi concentration camp, and in doing so, he depicts the manipulation of the captives into assuming the role of the oppressor towards their fellow oppressed. The use of captives to work for the S.S. in maintaining the camp's efficiency demonstrates the levels of confusion, alienation, and atomization possible under a totalitarian regime.Fear through terror serves as an expedient means of achieving atomization in order to maintain the totalitarian state. Arendt describes the atomization in Soviet society by referring to the purges and the effect they have on society: The consequence of the simple and ingenious devic
Because of the hardship experienced in the camps, the captives look to better their own position-to stay alive one more day; to find a way to be useful to the S. employ prisoners to help the camp run smoothly-they oversee workers and even dole out punishments for infractions. I am not sorry they're going to the gas chamber. The institution of the "Canada" provided those who would be guilty by association with a means of improving their current situation-they would help escort new arrivals to the gas in exchange for access to food and clothing. "This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen" and "A Day at Harmenz" depict two symptoms of the fear-induced isolation and alienation exhibited by the prisoners: a loathing for their fellows, especially those whom the captives escort to their deaths, and a strange loyalty to their captors. He punishes his own people, his own son, just as severely as the S. ' (Borowski 54)The man, Becker, who was in charge of the other workers, displays the same cruelty exhibited by the S.
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Acceptance Essays
