Analyze the cynicism of the expression "Arbeit macht frei" (work makes you free) above the gates to the entrance of Auschwitz. Is the expression truly ironic, or is there truth in the statement for those at Auschwitz?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
These I believe is very ironic because even if they worked hard they would never be allowed to leave. It’s also extremely ironic because work doesn’t make you free but for them a slave to the SS and the Nazis. But another side of me thinks it’s true because if you work yourself to death than you are actually free from the horrible conditions they had to live in.
ReplyDelete2. 27-43 At the gate of Auschwitz concentration camp above the gate they have a saying that says “Arbeit macht frei.” This translates from German to English to say “work makes you free.” I think this statement is incredibly ironic. The healthy adult Jews worked but they were definitely not free. The Germans still treated the Jews poorly and did not look out for them at all. They worked the Jews until many of them died. If this saying were true then the work would help them to possibly be set free or to be given privileges. I think the Jews who were killed immediately were set free instead of the Jews who were worked in bad conditions with no family until death.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the statement is ironic. No matter how hard anyone worked, they were never allowed to leave. Even if they were treated better for the hard work, they were definitely not "free". Being worked to death with no family, food or good conditions is not free no matter how many small privileges you get.
ReplyDeleteI think this sign holds a lot of irony. During Elie's stay, an officer told him that if he worked, he would be free, as the sign said. In truth, Elie was never going to be set free from the labor and hurt he was given. Although you could take that sign as a means of motivation to keep going. The statement "work makes you free" i believe also held truth. Over the book, Elie's religion deteriorated but his will to survive was strong. Elie stayed strong and stayed fast and strong in order to survive. in the end of the book he was free because he worked hard to survive..
ReplyDeleteI think that this statement is very ironic. The Jews did nothing wrong and no matter how many things they did right they never got rewarded or got to leave. The only time they ever got a break was when they were ingured badly. Even if you had terriable fevers they never gave you a break. And i think its also ironic because they had to work through their family and friends dying and getting sick plus they were forced to work for free. StewardS5
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is very ironic because everyone worked hard, but most of them never became free.
ReplyDeleteThe statement above the concentration camp is ironic. "Work makes you free." Does it really when you're in such a horrible place and time period as this? Maybe some people worked so hard and fought on with so much determination, that in the end when it was all over, there were a few survivors. But then there are those who worked just as hard, but may have been weaker, older, or more fragile that they died, or were sent to the crematory. It is ironic, because in this place, hundreds of thousands were murdered and they all worked. The statement may have been put up as an encouragement, but to the workers, they certainly didn't find much hope in it.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn my own words i believe that At the gate of Auschwitz concentration camp above the gate they have a saying that says “Arbeit macht frei.” This translates from German to English to say “work makes you free.” that statement is incredibly ironic. they work so hard, so strong but still get treated like animals if their about to die they will die badly i felt really sad when i read the book they all sufferd and never knew weather they would survive or die
ReplyDeleteThe sign is very ironic for the jewish workers at Aushwitz. The sign makes them believe with hard work they will earn their freedom. Sadly for the Jews, working more just equals less freedoms and more time at Auschwitz. One thing that could be said is that the only way to be free is to not work and be killed in the next selection.
ReplyDeleteI think this text is totally ironic because even when you work all day and night, you will not be free and people get week after working all the time so eventually they die. "work makes you free" means that if you work than you will be free but according to aushwitz it seems that work until your soul is free from your body.
ReplyDeleteI think this text is totally ironic because even when you work all day and night, you will not be free and people get week after working all the time so eventually they die. "work makes you free" means that if you work than you will be free but according to aushwitz it seems that work until your soul is free from your body.
ReplyDeletei think that it is pure truth but a different kind of freedom than they expect, death may be the freedom the nazis were speaking of because as one of the characters in night at the consentration camp told ellie the nazis were the only ones that didnt lie to them.
ReplyDeleteI think it is extremely ironic, seeing as how the Nazis never actually intended for any of the prisoners to make it out of the camp, no matter how hard they worked. It just gave everyone a false sense of hope, and pushed them to work harder in hopes that the work they did would actually free them.
ReplyDelete2. This is a ironic.whatever you do,you are never allowed to go out.As you are forced go into this camp,you lost your freedom,family,as the day go by,you will keep nothing,your soul,your hope.You are worse than slavery,or animal,you are just a thing without emotion,life.They can ask you to do anything and you can't say no.Hardworking can only makes you alive,if you are not hardworking,you will be killed by a lot of ways.This sentence I think should like your boss said if you are hardworking I will give you more money. of course you can choose don’t hardworking .But if your boss said if you are not hardworking, you can’t back to home or he will kill you. So you can only choose hardworking, threaten always better than encourage
ReplyDeleteI think it is ironic but the truth as well because you never get freed yet when you die you are not there anymore so it is yet is not ironic. It seems dark but you do not work once you are dead do you?
ReplyDeletehi how are ya
Deletei think its i ronic because the nazis just said they would get out but truthfully no one was getting out alive at least. the nazis made them work till they were dead.
ReplyDeleteThe statement engraved on the gate at aushwitz is almost mockery. "work makes you free" is completely false the statement should be "work makes you live slightly longer"
ReplyDeleteThey basically had the jews gassed to death or worked to death. Either way you were going to die with no escape or hope that you would live. The statment is mockery and ironic
the statement is ironic because it wouldn't matter whether or not they worked hard because they wouldn't be free if anything they'd maybe get a little more soup or bread.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's ironic because it says "work makes you free" but most of the jews there were not let free and a lot of them were killed
ReplyDeleteThe sign on the gate is very ironic because no one that enters that camp comes out alive but the nazis so the sign is a complete lie because not even with working hard do they come out they just die.
ReplyDelete2. The reason this statement is so absolutely ironic is because you were not free you could not be free in Auschwitz, you had the freedom to work instead of being tortured so in a way the statement fits the meaning, it has 2 sides of it I think because you were not free but you were free to make a choice.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThis is ironic and very disturbing to read these poor people were going through enough then to get mimicked i think maybe it was a sick joke or a way to calm the new prisoners from being scared and worried yet them working and dying would lead there beautiful souls into heaven which would make them free ,but the fact that they were being tortured and the saying was there to remind them of the living impossible was wrong and very ironic.
ReplyDeleteIt is ironic. The term "work makes you free" is, in my opinion ironic because the nazi's must think you are free because you are living. Also if you don't work you will be beated and possibly get shot and killed. I would stand up to the nazi machine, I would rather be shot than to be a slave. Also your free when you are dead so that mean's no work you will be free.
ReplyDeletethis is definetly a lie because at any moment you could die and before you even walk in the place they put you through selection
ReplyDeleteThis statement is ironic because the prisoners of Auschwitz were not working to be free they were working to stay alive. This statement it not true for Auschwitz because in no way were any of the prisoners free. They were being worked against their will.
ReplyDeleteThis statement is ironic, no doubt. No matter how hard they worked, the Nazis had no plans to free them. But, at the same time, it has a little bit of truth. The harder they worked, they got more soup and bread, didn't die as quick (because the Nazis would kill them if they had "no use" or didn't work hard enough), so the harder they worked the better off they were for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI honestly do not think it's ironic. I feel like it's saying that work is actually free, because the people who are in the concentration camp are working to be "free". Being free as an leaving this horrid world that the people in this camp had to suffer in and go to the place called paradise.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this is somewhat ironic because even though the Jews worked hard, they were not allowed to leave or given the freedom to do anything. However it is partially true because if the Jews worked hard then the Nazis would not beat them for being lazy or useless.
ReplyDeletethis statement is alittle ironic because these people at Aushwitz worked really hard and put in all they had and the nazis still killed them. But also its still kind of true because if you were able to stay alive you would eventually be liberated.
ReplyDeletei think this statement is ironic, because the prisoners were working hard to stay alive, not to be freed. Its like the Nazis gave them hope that they could leave the harder they worked. they only thing they would get out of working hard is maybe getting a little more soup and bread.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the statement is ironic because the Nazis are the one who put the Jews through hard labor and made them suffer in Aushwitz. Athough, the statement could possibly be true because if you worked hard enough and were able to at least keep yourself alive, you could have a chance of being liberated.
ReplyDeleteThe statement is very ironic, no matter what you did you couldn't leave and even if freedom was implying a better life while your still breathing that also would be a lie. If you were lucky and became an "office" worker you would be given some freedom to wonder the camp but you would never be truly free.
ReplyDeleteThis is not really ironic because the jews came here to work and try to survive but it was more like they had to work so they can survive and have some of that food and not die but then again they had to work really hard so they would not get beat up or killed.
ReplyDeletei think the statement is ironic because even thought the people who were selected to work, most of them still died from starvation and exhaustion. the nazis convinced all of the workers that if they work harder they will be rewarded with more soup or bread, maybe freedom.
ReplyDeleteThe statement is ironic because they would never be freed no matter how hard they worked but they were treated with a little more of soup and bread but the ones that were not able to work one of SS guard would kill him. The Nazi would've never let them free in any circumstance. But if only the statement was true to get away from this horrific place.
ReplyDeleteThe statement is ironic because it is outside a prison in which people are worked literally to death, yet it claims that work makes you free.
ReplyDeleteThe statement is ironic because you can't be a prisoner but then be free at the same time. The prisoners worked so hard but the only way that they would be able to live is by working. Being alive was their "freedom". Since they couldn't leave or do anything else other than work, they weren't really free. They would rather suffer through the work just to live a little longer than to be murdered right away.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this statement works both ways. I think that if you do work hard at the camp the Nazi soldiers may be lighter on punishment towards you. I also believe that if you do work hard that you may see no progress or effort that rewards you of being free. I think that if you do work hard enough to try and escape, if you work hard enough than you just might escape and get the freedom you deserve.
ReplyDeleteI think this statement is very ironic because work doesn't make them free. They were slaves. The Germans could do anything to them. As an illustration, the Germans mistreated the Jews, thousands of Jews were being kill everyday. Some were forced to work till dead. Plus, the condition in the camp was terrible, they had to fight in order to survive.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this expression is ironic because if they were to work hard. They were still beat, they were still fed very little and most importantly they still couldn't leave Auschwitz the only thing that really made them work was the hope that one day they would be liberated by the red army
ReplyDeleteI think that statement is very true, because if you work hard enough and put in a lot of effort the Nazi soldiers will not notice you and not punish you.
ReplyDeleteThe sign outside the camp contains lots of irony "work makes your free" at the concentration work didn't really make the people free. NO matter how much work you did you were still going to remain in the concentration camp under any circumstances. The Jewish people worked to death starving, living off a stale piece of bread and a little ration of soup for vigorous hard work for the day. .
ReplyDeleteI believe the sign was flat out ironic, because the people at Auschwitz were working everyday and night using all their strength to survive. They weren't allowed to leave or do anything which clearly wasn't freedom, but the sign still held some truth in life. Elie was working using all his power to survive and in the end he was given freedom.
ReplyDeleteThe jews worked so hard to keep their life they had hardly any food and the conditions were very harsh. So the statement “Arbeit macht frei” (work makes me free) is ironic. They worked so hard but most of them had different ways out. The whole time they were there they suffered with lack of food, and a proper place to stay. They tried so hard just to get a little extra bread or soup. But in the end most of the weak got cremated(gasses, shot, starved).
ReplyDeleteI don't believe the sign is ironic, if you think about it the sign makes sense.From all the people who came into the camp those who looked like hard workers or those who were young were not killed. Many people did not have that option. For example, the women an small kids. The sign on the entrance clearly states what they did. I agree that they were slowly dying over time but as long as they worked they worked for the freedom that they promised them.
ReplyDeleteThe statement is nothing but a statement. Yes ironic because they made your work till death. But if you could make it past the work. you would have more time to live.
ReplyDeleteI think that the sign is ironic because if you work hard the Nazi soldiers may not notice you. but i you are lazy and dont do anything then they would notice you more and kill you.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I think that the statement was truly ironic because the Jews could have worked as hard as there body would let them and still not given an extra portion of soup or bread.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, I think the statement tells the truth because maybe with enough hard work and no complaining they could have proven their worthiness to the Nazi's and that could have enhanced a quicker freedom.
ReplyDeleteBut,I find it also a lie because it seemed no matter how hard the Jew's worked they didn't receive any sort of offering for a good job.Their only gift was more hard labor.
I think this is ironic because it means that once you are stuck working as a slave you will always be nothing but free and over worked
ReplyDeleteI think that the sign has some truth but is also ironic. I think this because in the concentration camps even if you are put to work and work as hard as you possibly can the SS soliders would not let you just leave the camp after seeing all of the horrors that they are doing. The sign also has some truth because the people the SS make work as the sort of slave workers. The people who whip the other jews but are also jews themselves. Those people are technically free from the bad thing the SS are doing to them and are treated as such.
ReplyDelete; In my opinion this expression is not ironic. Nazis thought up of a logo to go with the camps theme. Work hard, you will survive longer, this was giving the Jews a psychological effect on working harder, almost brain washing them into working as hard as they could. The phrase gives a lot of meaning.
ReplyDeleteI think a bit of both because if you don't work then you will die but if you do work you still won't be free as a slave.
ReplyDeleteI think the expression was very ironic and not at the same time. It was ironic because they would never actually get out by the Nazis letting them out. And the reason its not is because if you did work hard you would become one of the Jewish guard guys and wouldn't have to work as hard.
ReplyDeleteWhat i think this means is if you work hard and do as you are told you might survive longer.
ReplyDeleteIt is a dirty lie. Sure people who work might get some privileges but they don’t get set free and they don’t get to do whatever they want
ReplyDeleteIt is completely ironic. I don't think that the saying could possibly make some of the Jew's actually believe in it. They were forced to work until they died. Work would not have made them free no matter how you looked at it. Perhaps the Nazi's used it as some sort of sick joke.
ReplyDeleteI think this is very ironic because the Jewish people entering Auschwitz are basically working themselves to death.
ReplyDeleteI think this statement "work makes you free" is ironically true. Jews who were able to work were sent to crematory and still living and working in Auschwitz. But it wasn't definitely true because there is no such a word free in prisoners' lives. They worked everyday so hard. They were limited in food also.
ReplyDeleteThe expression is somewhat true in that the prisoners would sometimes work themselves to death and could be free from the camps. Of course it is somewhat ironic in that none of the prisoners were intended to be released.
ReplyDeleteI think it is ironic because if you didn't work you would be killed but no matter how hard the person would work they never got free for doing that work.
ReplyDeleteit very ironic in the way the nazi's tricked the jews but for what reason? have that to try and distract someone or something?... its just ironic.
ReplyDeleteI think that the statement is very ironic because those who went to auchwitz were never given any freedom, whatsoever. It sort of gave the prisoners a false belief that if they worked hard that they would be given their freedom, but really it was all useless.
ReplyDelete27-43 At Auschwitz concentration camps there was a sign that said "Arbeit macht frei" which meant work makes you free. This is ironic because at the concentration camp you could not leave. The Germans would make you work until you drop. The workers were slaves and the Germans treated the people like animals. But at the same time people could have earned more portions of bread or soup. The people who died could have truly thought they were free because they did not have to work anymore and were gone.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete2. When prisoners entered the concentration camp, there were gates that told:”Arbeit machi frei” That phrase meant “work will make you free”. I think that is very ironic, because millions of people worked in the concentration camp whole day and whole night, during winter at freezing air and during summer when everything almost melted. However no one was free. Every day hundreds of people died because of disease, satisfaction and hunger. However the main reason for dyeing I think was fatigue. I believe work did not make prisoners free, people’s hope and brain granted them freedom (Only 2 or 3 people were lucky. They escaped from concentration camp. )
ReplyDeleteI do think this is ironic because at Auschwits camp you were definitely not allowed to leave, no matter how much and how hard you work you were stuck there by pretty much all means until they wanted to let you go (which normally would never occur). At the same time though, when people worked harder they were able to earn higher portions of bread and/or soup. As for the people who died, they did become free because they no longer had to work at the camp.
ReplyDeleteThe sign, just mentioning a possibility of freedom would make some inmates more eager to work and give them a slightly higher bit of hope. For others It could make them want to give up more from the thought of work, and that truly, no matter what they did they would never be set free. The statement overall is not true because they were not going to be set free from the camp from working. But the ones who cooperated somewhat more, and worked more, that got on the sides of the Nazi’s had it a little easier because they got the easy jobs like the capo and jobs that didn't require a ton of work.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the phrase is both very ironic, and yet it has some truth in it as well. The people in these camps certainly did not view work as freeing. They slept, breathed, and lived, to work for the people murdering their families and friends. How is that freeing? On another hand, at some point, they must know that death is coming for them.. But wouldn't that eventually become a welcoming idea? Death, peace at last, free from all pain and suffering. If they could work just hard enough.. they could finally be free.
ReplyDelete• For those at the camp I think that this sign held no truth at all. Because the prisoners worked all day long and as hard as they could but were never going to be set free. So the sign holds no truth for the prisoners.
ReplyDeletewell it is forced labor and if they don't work they would probably be killed or maybe even worse and they are also unable to leave that sign is a lie
ReplyDelete2. The expression "Areit macht frei" is very ironic because all of those prisoners were never going to be set free, They were going to spend most of their lives working, thinking that maybe one day they will get their freedom. The only way that the prisoners could be free was when they died. They were finally free from all of that pain and suffering.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the phrase is ironic, and it has some truth in it as well. The people in the Auschwitz camp did not see the camp work as freedom. Some people were torchered, killed, worked till they cant walk anymore. This was obviously forced labor they were never going to be freed. the only thing that brought them peace or freedom was death which stopped there suffering.
ReplyDelete"Areit macht frei" is both ironic and true because the harder you worked the more freedom with in the camp you got. If you worked harder you could raise rank get more food walk around and not be retained in one area. At the same time it was ironic because you could not achieve real freedom the Nazis had no intention of releasing any of the prisoners there only goal was to kill them but if they could get labor out of them at the same time they would.
ReplyDeletei think this statement is ironic because all the guards were free but the prisoners were not the guards didnt have to do a lot of work for there freedom. i think there is a lot of truth in this statement. for some people death was there freedom from this horrible place but later on they were all free so in a way work buys your freedom.
ReplyDeleteIt is ironic because even if you work, they're still going to die by starvation. And you're not really free, you just safe for a short period of time
ReplyDeleteI think its ironic because in the death camp even if you worked the hardest that you ever could they never let the prisoners free they just wanted the prisoners to stay there until they died because the people who ran the death camp was cruel and wanted to see the Jews suffer and die so the Jewish population would be finished forever.
ReplyDeleteI think that the expression is truly ironic.The workers were not allowed to have warm clothes,eat more rations of food,or have anything really suitable for humans. let alone leave the camp just because they worked hard.If you worked hard then you would be put to work even more and most likely without incentive. The workers got absolutely no freedom, no matter how hard they worked. In a way it can also be true, if you worked yourself to death then in a way you were free from the suffer.
ReplyDeleteI think that the phrase is both ironic and has some truth to it. I believe its ironic because no one at the concentration camp was truly free, they cant go where they want and they cant do as they please. they have to stay and work and will be killed if they don't work, but the likelihood of them not eventually being killed is very high. however the expression in and of itself could be a signal of hope, for example you have to work hard in order to escape and become free because if an escaped prisoner where found they would have been publicly executed.
ReplyDelete