Introduction
Auschwitz was one of the largest concentration camps with an ominously large number of casualties. Its existence was the most devastating crime against humanity and a violation of human rights in general. The novel The Librarian of Auschwitz is based on a fictionalized account of Dita Kraus’ real-life experiences in the camp, as well as those of her parents. Human rights are a primary focus of the story. The following essay will review the topic of human rights in the text of this work.
Support of Human Rights
To understand the role of human rights in this context, it is essential to acknowledge some historical facts about the notorious location. It has been estimated that 1.3 million people were sent to Auschwitz, with approximately 1.1 million of them being Jewish (Frost). The majority of the latter group were murdered in this camp.
Some of its prisoners were engaged in slave labor to make synthetic rubber and other items crucial for Germany during WWII (History.com Editors). Dita and her parents were sent to this location in 1943. Although a Jewish sports teacher named Fredy Hirsch succeeded in talking Nazis into creating a play hut for the children, schooling them was still prohibited.
Despite this, Hirsch chooses to create a school and library, offering the young girl the opportunity to become a librarian. The value of Fredy and Dita’s actions can be seen in this quote: “Throughout history, all dictators, tyrants, and oppressors, whatever their ideology—whether Aryan, African, Asian, Arab, Slav, or any other racial background; whether defenders of popular revolutions, or the privileges of the upper classes, or God’s mandate, or martial law—have had one thing in common: the vicious persecution of the written word. Books are extremely dangerous; they make people think” (Iturbe, 8). Book burnings were relatively common, and since they were prohibited, Kraus and Hirsch had a lot at stake.
In the story, the young girl’s work as a librarian is shown as a resistance against the oppressive reign of the Nazis. Even though the threat represented by Mengele loomed over her, Hirsch motivates Kraus to continue her work, telling her that during a war, everyone has their responsibility and must fight to the end. Dita starts to understand the importance of her occupation as a librarian, having been touched by Jaroslav Hasek’s book. “In a place like Auschwitz, where everything is designed to make you cry, a smile is an act of defiance.” – the narration states (Iturbe, 67). This becomes a rather powerful and valuable motivator in Kraus’s life.
Besides depicting Dita and Fredy’s struggles and obstacles, the novel also mentions real-life historical events that occurred during that time. This helps demonstrate the devastating fate of the imprisoned people and further emphasizes the value of educating children. It captures the injustice caused by the oppressive regime, as well as the undying motivation to help others. However, the work still manages to convey a sense of hope and resistance effectively.
It is crucial to note that Fredy Hirsch became a role model for Dita Kraus, as they helped save many lives. Ultimately, it is essential to recognize the role they play in supporting one another, as they not only provide children with education but also help them develop coping mechanisms. Concentration camps are notorious for their devastating conditions, which is why any chance of resistance is highly impactful.
Dita and Fredy’s Heroism
The writer makes the importance of their efforts abundantly clear throughout the story. It can first be seen in Hirsch, where children have a location to play while their parents are working. However, as mentioned earlier, the issue of education is where the goal of helping children begins to involve serious risks. Despite being a teenager, the young girl was still willing to face these obstacles. It is important to mention that living in the Terezin ghetto and the concentration camp made her more mature sooner. Dita’s circumstances motivated her to rebel against the oppressive regime, and so did Fredy’s bravery.
The latter was a rather charismatic young man who was also quite respectable. His bravery and dedication have had a profound impact on the young girl, and despite the man being reclusive, she still holds him in admiration. Hirsch was Kraus’s only gateway to normal life, as he went from granting children a place to play to risking his life for the sake of their education. The two people eventually become a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even something as seemingly minor as reading a book can be a powerful means of standing up to a dictatorship.
Personal Opinion on the Heroes
Having read this book, I realized that Dita is the perfect example of a strong person who remains courageous despite the hardships in her life. Some of these hardships include living in the concentration camp, her mother’s passing, and working as a librarian during a firm ban on books and education for the prisoners of Auschwitz. The experiences this girl had, along with Fredy Hirsch’s example, motivated her to start standing up against the regime. Despite being a teenager, Kraus managed to make a significant contribution to the lives of children, as well as to the resistance.
Hirsch, however, feels like Dita’s polar opposite in some cases. He seems far more assertive and prone to risks than the young girl. His untimely death made his personality harder to understand, although it was clear that Kraus admired him. The influence he had on the then 14-year-old girl is undeniable. Ultimately, Fredy’s story is just as important and impactful to the narrative as Dita’s. While the two are actually real people, the portrayal of these individuals is quite believable, as it effectively showcases their strengths and weaknesses.
I believe that Dita and Fredy were significant figures in the realm of human rights. Living in a concentration camp amidst a war may deprive anyone of hope. However, they did not lose faith and were motivated to ensure that the children in the camp could receive an education, despite the ban on books.
The prisoners lived in rather devastating conditions, which made Hirsch and Kraus’ actions especially important for the resistance and people’s expectations of a better future. Due to its impact, the book should be read by a wider audience. The audience should be reminded of the strength and courage that people demonstrated during this time, which ultimately contributed to the defeat of the atrocious regime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Librarian of Auschwitz is the fictionalized version of Dita Kraus’ story. In it, a young man named Fredy Hirsch motivates the young girl to become a librarian for the prisoners during a ban on books and education for them. The story of the two people shows that even something as minor as reading can make a significant contribution to resisting a cruel regime and restoring human rights for the underprivileged. The people in the book are valuable heroes, for they were aware of their obstacles and risks; however, they were not afraid to face them. Thus, this book is essential to read, as it reminds us of the immeasurable strength and courage of people during such harsh conditions.
Works Cited
Frost, Natasha. “Horrors of Auschwitz: The Numbers Behind WWII’s Deadliest Concentration Camp.” HISTORY, 2020.
HistoryCom Editors. “Auschwitz.” HISTORY, 2021.
Iturbe, Antonio. The Librarian of Auschwitz. 2019.