WITH MAREK ZAJĄC
ABOUT THE BOOK “AUSCHWITZ. MONOGRAPH OF THE HUMAN”
INTERVIEWED BY PAWEŁ SAWICKI
In your opinion, does “Auschwitz. Monograph of the Human” differ from other books analysing the fate of prisoners of the Auschwitz camp?
It is a ground breaking and unique publication. The accounts of former prisoners and Holocaust Survivors are and will of course constitute the crucial point of reference. But no one has ever perceived these accounts from such a pioneering perspective as Piotr Cywiński. I always repeat it: we will never be able to finally understand the experience of Witnesses and we will never touch the very heart of darkness called Auschwitz. I have not changed my mind. However, I have never thought that it is possible to come so close to these areas which are not fully reachable.
For Cywiński, the accounts of former prisoners and Holocaust Survivors are the compass in the journey deep inside human experience. To the depths and pits of humanity. But at the same time it is not a philosophy book in a sense that it is and confusing and lost in abstract deliberations. The author does not move away the cruel concrete of Auschwitz even for a while. From the very beginning until the end of this monumental publication we remain at the camp, experiencing this place in a nearly physical way. Where has this unique effect come from? Firstly, Cywiński has devoted his life to Auschwitz. His mind and his spirit. His time, sensitivity and talent. Secondly, while writing about psychological mechanisms, often going beyond the border of consciousness and unconsciousness, he has never ceased to be a historian.
The book is very particular in its form. It consists not only of the fragments of memoirs and accounts, but also includes a very specific and analytical narration of the author-narrator. This book, for many different reasons, is addressed both to those involved in historical studies professionally as well as to average readers. It seems that everyone perceives this book in a little bit different way, don’t they?
This book is a must-read for all those who would like to come closer to Auschwitz. Irrespective of their motivations. For those who not only want to learn something, but in particular – to understand. It is a rare case of a book with highest analytical and research qualities, at the same time readily devoured by non-professionals in the field. It is the first synthetic attempt to answer the question asked by nearly all visitors of former camp premises. What made it possible for those few to survive? What did they feel? How did they perceive justice? Why, in spite of it all, were they able to love and to laugh? What were they dreaming of? What did they use to think about the world behind the wires? What would finally break them and what would give them power?
When it comes to experts, historians are not the only addressees. This book has to inaugurate a big international debate on the essence and methods for teaching about Auschwitz and the Holocaust, as Cywiński’s analysis is like moving a railroad switch. It is the eye-opening experience that forces the reader to rethink many issues which have been treated as inviolable for years. For example, it has so far been commonly claimed that through the lens of Auschwitz we can show a human in so called extreme or borderline situations. It has had a great effect on educational efforts all over the world and constituted one of the pillars of teaching about the Holocaust. Cywiński in turn proves that this assumption is wrong to its core. That Auschwitz shows the human who is not facing extreme situations, but remains within the world programmed for total dehumanization. This totally changes the perspective. So, let me explain it as follows: if we do not face this book, do not discuss it honestly and do not draw practical conclusions, we will commit the fatal sin of neglect.
Which of the chapters have moved you the most? Has anything surprised you?
A hard question. This book really needs to be read as a whole. Each chapter constitutes a closed story, but they all form a panoramic view. Cywiński’s analysis is like a mosaic: every single component impresses, but only by taking a step back and admiring the entire intricate arrangement one can see the image of Auschwitz. Once again: the image so close to reality that the camp becomes nearly tangible and possible to experience with one’s senses. What is more, the structure of the book is so elaborate also thanks to its carefully thought-out order of chapters. Cywiński is consciously guiding the reader through the maze of Auschwitz.
If I had to choose one chapter, I would point to the one devoted to becoming a Muselmann, a prisoner experiencing the state of extreme exhaustion and numbness. The last stage of life without life. It is the subject that, if it can be said so, has been fascinating and absorbing me for years. But while reading I was surprised how many accounts Cywiński managed to pick out. How many new things I have learned from these fifteen pages. And most of all: how much more I have understood. All in all, after this chapter there comes the next one… about strong will. And this is what it is all about: Cywiński juxtaposes two extremely different situations and makes prisoners’ accounts even more meaningful.
For the reasons that Cywiński mentions in the introduction, “Auschwitz. Monograph of the Human” is not a complete book, for example due to wide linguistic range of the accounts. Do you have any advice for the author? On one hand the book can be considered a complete work, while on the other – just its beginning.
Auschwitz and the Holocaust need to remain the open and unhealed wound forever. As I have already said: this story will never come to its end as we will always be only approaching the heart of darkness. But the entire meaning is in fact hidden in this effort of constantly coming closer. It was claimed for years that everything had been said about Auschwitz. Piotr Cywiński has just changed the rules of the game. He showed the new direction. He did it to himself and to the other. It is now our common responsibility, and I am not afraid to say so, to follow him.