Already I'm confused reading how they start off running like dogs. Why do they always run, what does it do for them? There's literally no point in them wasting their energy to run. I found it extremely saddening when people would rest for a couple minutes and get shot by the SS officers, why don't they try straight running for that long after being in the worst condition of their life! Those officers are literally disgusting to have the audacity to shot the innocent, tired runners, they're hungry, thirsty, and extremely tired, they aren't just stopping for fun. Also, when people sat down for a couple minutes to close their eyes, death took them over and killed them instantly. I found this very peaceful, they were taken in a way that was almost relaxing and no one could harm them, they were just left on the side where they fell asleep. Even though they suffered all those years, at least they didn't have to suffer a terrible death with it like many others who were shot or hung in front of everyone.
At one point corruption took place when Elie claimed "I dug my nails into unknown faces. I was biting my way through." (p. 93) Every one was trying to survive but it was becoming extremely difficult when you have multiple bodies either dead or alive suffocating you and others. This shows a state of cannibalism to me. They didn't care who they had to kill in the process, as long as they came out alive, that's all that mattered. Elie also prayed to go that he wouldn't leave his father to die being so weak, like the Rabbi's son left him on purpose.
I was extremely astonished when his father died. That was very depressing how they treated the sick people as if they were already. Just because they're hurt, doesn't mean they don't need food and they yell and beat the vulnerable victims.
While I agree with you that forcing the prisoners to run in the frigid weather for 20 kilometers straight is both detremental to their health and completely horrid, I must say that there was some purpose and benefit to their migration. For one, the German army was becoming pressured by the rapidly approaching American Liberating Army, and they did not want to be caught at the concentration camp at Buchenwald for obvious fear of surrender. The Jews, however, slightly appreciated the run (initially) as it allowed their bodies to move and warm themselves up. Usually, they were sitting or lying in the barracks with minimum clothing to protect from the cold. Others actually had to work OUTSIDE in the same attire while their hands stuck to the frozen rocks they were trying to lift. I say 'initially' because I know that both of us realize that towards the end of their run, many of the prisoners could not go on, collapsed, and were shot. Others who were in the middle of the stampede suffered a longer, more painful death than a gunshot; numerous Jews were trampled by their own kin, including the boy whom Elie mentions suffered from dysentery and underwent a painful stomach attack mid-run. Unfortunately, there was nothing Elie could have done to save him. But I agree with you that the "greatest" death of all, so to speak, were those who snuck away from the pack and simply fell asleep beneath the snow-covered trees. Doubtless dying in one's sleep is the most peaceful way to leave this earth. In fact, my grandfather, who was in a great deal of pain for much of his life from working with chemicals in his youth, died in his sleep nearly a year ago this May. Of all the possible ways to die when one is sick, I was quite happy that he had gone this way, without the pain of his conscious waking. He may even have just finished a pleasant dream, and then just slipped away...
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