Tadeusz Borowski’s “This Way to the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen” is unlike any other World War II narrative I have ever read. The story is told from the point of view of a prisoner, as he explains the horrors seen throughout the Extermination camp, Birkenau. Throughout the narrative the teller, Tadeusz, has an almost nonchalant approach to the travesties surrounding him. This attitude was what stuck with me the most from this reading. The narrator’s composure during one of the most horrific events in history is stunning. He speaks so calmly about carrying the corpses of children; his “matter-of-fact” attitude that the newly arrived prisoners were going to die; his collected attitude towards this is shocking.
Another attribute of Tadeusz that surprised me was his “lone survivor” mentality. Usually when faced with great adversity or travesty, there is a story of people coming together to survive. In my reading of Elie Wiesel’s “Night” there is constant occurrences of people sticking together to get through it. Wiesel speaks of prisoners realizing they are all facing the same struggle and that they depend on one another. Burowski, however, tells a different story; he points out the differences amongst people. Whether it be their race or religion, Burowski focuses on the point that they are different than him. His “better them than me” attitude is what separates this narrative from other Holocaust narratives I have read.
Going through something so horrific definitely changes somebody. It hardens them in a way that many cannot even imagine. This is why although Tadeusz’s actions and attitude come off as surprising, compared to other World War II narratives, I can somewhat identify with them. Although I would like to think I would have an attitude of “let’s stick together” I don’t think I actually would. Sad to say, but I believe I would react the same way as Borowski. During something as traumatic as what he describes, I would most likely have the survivor mentality. Especially realizing I am the same age as he was during these experiences, I could definitely see myself behaving in the same manner as he did. It is not great to admit but I believe most people would do what they had to do to survive in the same situation as Borowski.
