Kluger

As I was reading Still Alive, a section in Part III seems to deviate from the whole feel of the book, and it stood out to me. In contrast to the title of “Still Alive” and the appearance of a Holocaust survivor, Kluger says “By virtue of survival, we belong with you, who weren’t exposed to the genocidal danger, and we know that there is a black river between us and the true victims. Therefore this is not the story of a Holocaust victim and becomes less and less so as it nears the end” (Kluger 138). Further on she ads, “yes, we laughed a lot, for humor thrives on danger, for whatever reason” (138). To me, I can never think of the Holocaust and humor in the as ever having any relation. In contrast to headings such as “Death Camp” and “Forced Labor Camps,” such passages don’t seem to enhance the impact of the survivor story, instead it kind of negates the reality of her story and her position within the Holocaust. Much of how Part III begins seems to feel more like a tale as if she had simply run away from home, rather than a flee for her life.