Altered Relationships between Individuals in the Times of Terror - Term Paper Example

?Altered Relationships between Individuals in the Times of Terror Introduction The first half of the twentieth century was a real ordeal for humanity. There were two world wars. However, in some countries the horrors of war were enhanced by terrible policies held by their leaders. Nazis set numerous concentration camps where millions of people were tortured. In Soviet Union the entire nation lived in fear as millions of people were vanishing during the Great Purge. It goes without saying that there could be no normal relationship between people who were in constant fear, people who had to live through many humiliations and tortures. Inhumane living conditions made people doubt about the future of humanity. For instance, those who managed to survive in Auschwitz admitted that people there were not humans. They were creatures who longed to survive. Some may say that distorted relationships between individuals in concentration camps should be regarded as the most horrible example of taking humanness away from humans. However, the relationships between individuals during the Great Purge in Soviet Union are the case of unprecedented eradication of basic human traits: compassion, empathy and readiness to help. Altered interpersonal relationships in Auschwitz This statement can be easily proved when comparing the two cases. In the first place, it is possible to consider the peculiarities of relationships between individuals who had to live through the horrors of concentration camps. Notably, many inmates understood that the majority of people would die in the camps and “[o]nly a minority of ingenuous and deluded souls continued to hope” (Levi 14). At the same time one of the basic biological rules can hardly be evaded. Therefore, though people in Auschwitz knew that prisoners were dying there, everyone tried to survive. From the very first seconds inmates witnessed things that could not be understood or accepted by moral or at least reasonable people. Wretched prisoners were beaten, humiliated, tortured and eventually killed. Starving and frightened to death people saw terrible scenes which could make anyone crazy, so their ideas about the world or rather perception of the world were distorted. The new world, nightmare-like reality which absorbed millions of innocent people deadened the best feeling and best human traits. Young, strong, intelligent people were turned into “squalid human specimens” who lost their strength to resist (Levi 92). Of course, many inmates tried to help each other when no one was watching as the helper could become one more victim. However, there were prisoners who could easily set up their comrades for a scrap of bread or for being left alone (without tortures). Primo Levi who survived in one of those horrible camps claimed that it was impossible to call those who lived their humans (Levi 10). Interpersonal relationships in Soviet Union during the Great Purge This was the life in prison. Prisoners had to survive and sometimes did “indecent” things. On the other hand, Soviet people who lived in late 1930s were free people (at least the leaders of the country proclaimed principles of freedom in their speeches). Nonetheless, they were not safe and they lived in constant fear. There was quite enough food and people had their homes. However, every minute something horrible could happen. For instance, Lydia Chukovskaya depicted a story of a woman (herself) who lost her son because of some uncertain accusations. The young man was a Komsomol activist, who admired the Party, but someone testified against him and he simply vanished. All Soviet people knew of the vanishing and were afraid to do something wrong. As far as wrongful acts are concerned it could be anything: a wrong (too bold) word, relationships with suspicious people, or even a misprint. For example, a skilled and professional typist, Natasha, was fired because she typed Ret Army, instead of Red Army (Chukovskaya 63). The meeting, where the case of Natasha was discussed, is really illustrative and it can justify that the relationships between individuals at that time were alerted and could hardly resemble relationships which should exist in a civilized society. Notably, there was a meeting where the “sabotage activities on the publishing front” were discussed (Chukovskaya 63). Of course, it is difficult to call it a discussion since Comrade Timofeyev only articulated his own ideas and did not give any opportunity for others to express opposite opinion. It is also important to note that no one wanted to defend Natasha. Only her close friend, the main character of the book, Sofia Petrovna took the floor and tried to defend the poor woman. She was really nervous. Moreover, she was even frightened. Eventually, (after her speech for Natasha) Sofia Petrovna was also fired. This is what all the rest were afraid of: being fired or even more – being captured and accused of treason. Of course, when living in such a world it was impossible to keep normal relationships with others. People suspected each other and did not reveal their thoughts freely because it was too risky. The free world was only mere propaganda of the Party as in reality people were living in prison where anyone could be executed without being sentenced. People could not afford showing compassion, though some individuals managed to retain the best human qualities. Comparison of the two cases: similarity Admittedly, some people may argue that it is impossible to compare such different cases: inmates’ life in concentrated camps and life in a “peaceful” country. Nevertheless, in both cases the relationships between individuals were altered. The major factor which contributed to this change in both cases was one of the most powerful emotions, fear. Prisoners of Auschwitz were constantly afraid of being killed or tortured. It goes without saying that when one is preoccupied with his/her own survival (or with survival of close people or especially of own children), one cannot help all the rest. Of course, inmates shared their food with some prisoners, but there were many others who were absolutely alone and eventually such people died (Levi 168). Fear was the power that controlled Soviet people making silent puppets of them. It is possible to state that an average Soviet individual living in late 1930s did not have normal relationships with others. People were not tortured (only those who were already imprisoned), but they were afraid of their lives and lives of their close relatives and friends. People forgot about such things as trust, mutual assistance, and truth. More so, when comparing the life in Auschwitz and episodes from Soviet life in 1930s (Sofia Petrovna and Natasha’s friendship), it is possible to point out that Sofia Petrovna did for Natasha the same thing as a prisoner in Auschwitz who shared his bread with a starving man. Only few individuals could take a risk and sacrifice something to save another person. The rest of people did not care about others, because of the fear to become the next victim. Comparison of the two cases: similarity However, the relationships between individuals in Auschwitz and in Soviet Union during the Great Purge were quite different. There was certain “purity” in interpersonal relationships in Auschwitz. For instance, it was quite clear what to expect from soldiers (beating, humiliation, anger or indifference) and from prisoners (indifference or help). At this point it is important to point out that there were exceptions, but they were few. More so, it was clear that prisoners could be hardly called humans, so humane relationships were not expected from them. Levi wrote that those could not be humans: Consider if this is a man Who works in the mud Who does not know peace Who fights for a scrap of bread Who dies because of a yes or a no. (11) However, there was no such clarity during the Great Purge in Soviet Union. People were living in a peaceful country where democracy and the will of people were declared to be the major values of the state. Nonetheless, people could not count on each other. No one supported Natasha even when everyone understood how stupid accusations were (Chukovskaya 65). It is impossible to use the same formula: prisoners lose human traits. Free people were losing their best qualities. Conclusion In conclusion, it is necessary to state that in the times of terror human relationships are altered due to the fact that people are afraid of losing their lives. Fear changed the normal interpersonal relationships in Auschwitz and in Soviet Union of 1930s. However, irrespective of the similarity, the two cases are quite different. In Auschwitz people understood (if not accepted) the change because they were prisoners who were losing human traits. On the contrary, people of Soviet Union did feel the change in relationships but they could not understand why free people acted in that way. Works Cited Levi, Primo. Survival in Auschwitz. New York: Touchstone, 1996. Chukovskaya, Lidii?a? Korneevna. Sofia Petrovna. Trans. Aline Werth. Evanston: Northwestern University Press, 1994. Read More