Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl

EXPERIENCES IN A CONCENTRATION CAMPme childish relief) "who looked so vulgar and brutalthat the nurse in the out-patient ward in my hospitalwould not even have admitted him to the waitingroom."Fortunately the Capo in my working party wasobligated to me; he had taken a liking to me because Ilistened to his love stories and matrimonial troubles,which he poured out during the long marches to ourwork site. I had made an impression on him with mydiagnosis of his character and with my psychotherapeuticadvice. After that he was grateful, and this hadalready been of value to me. On several previousoccasions he had reserved a place for me next to himin one of the first five rows of our detachment, whichusually consisted of two hundred and eighty men. Thatfavor was important. We had to line up early in themorning while it was still dark. Everybody was afraidof being late and of having to stand in the back rows. Ifmen were required for an unpleasant and disliked job,the senior Capo appeared and usually collected themen he needed from the back rows. These men had tomarch away to another, especially dreaded kind ofwork under the command of strange guards. Occasionallythe senior Capo chose men from the first fiverows, just to catch those who tried to be clever. Allprotests and entreaties were silenced by a few wellaimedkicks, and the chosen victims were chased tothe meeting place with shouts and blows.However, as long as my Capo felt the need ofpouring out his heart, this could not happen to me. Ihad a guaranteed place of honor next to him. But therewas another advantage, too. Like nearly all the campinmates I was suffering from edema. My legs were so45