“The Inventory of Human Misery”. Lice in Nazi Camp Narrations Cover Image

„Inwentarz nędzy ludzkiej”. Wszy w narracjach lagrowych
“The Inventory of Human Misery”. Lice in Nazi Camp Narrations

Author(s): Barbara Czarnecka
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Philology, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: animal studies; lice; military occupation; Jews; Nazi camps; concentration camps; Shoah

Summary/Abstract: The article is a polemic with the ahistorical interpretation of animal studies and reveals a meaning of insects that is other than symbolic. Using numerous examples taken from Nazi camp literature, it proves that in extreme conditions, a human – in order to maintain physical existence – cannot fight for ecosystemic animal equality. The text presents the living conditions of prisoners and the camp experience of fighting lice, along with completely unexpected situations brought about in concentration camps by the presence of insects.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 66-86
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish