Man's Search for Meaning 9/20

Summary:
Frankl further describes what life was like for the prisoners in the concentration camps. He describes how each prisoner acted a certain way because it was their defense mechanism. Some tried to make the best out of every situation by using humor or even solitude. Apathy was also a survival method as Frankl described his escape plan(which never fell through). Even after all the suffering the prisoners went through, the majority of them made the best of each situation. At the end of Part 1, he is set free but he states that he could never fully be happy because of what he had just been through in the concentration camp.



Comment: Frankl really goes into depth with discussing the prisoners self preservation. Friendship and humor were a big deal to the prisoners and I could not agree more with what they did to show that. I admire that the prisoners used stories to tell one another to make light of every situation. It is vital in life to be happy and to have someone whether it be a friend, family member or a loved one to share it with. Frank also described how he used the arts to help him during the worst time of his life. He used poetry and when shows of the theatre came on, he applauded the SS guards the most that he could. If he cheered for them the most, he could get a break and get on their good side. He did this to survive along with putting himself in solitude and separating himself from the crowd which drew him away from the spotlight. He did anything he could to survive and was in the right mindset.