Ladies and Gentlemen, to the Gas Chamber

The observation made about the tone of the story, Ladies and Gentlemen, to the Gas Chamber, in class seems to be the most striking aspect of the story. Borowski’s tone of narration seems to be desensitized from the seriousness or sadness of the Nazi concentration camps. But at the same time, the tone of the story is contradictory to the actual situation of the story. Even the harsh realities are reflected as the matter-of-fact issues, and without outrage or emotions. Although the tone seems to be desensitized, I think his woes are reflected in the issues that are brought up. They do not transit smoothly, and random ideas seem to be popping up, which reflect some sort of paranoia. “Even the usual recreation is lacking: the wide roads to the crematoria are empty” (2773). I found it hard to follow some of the arguments because they fluctuate so much.