This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen

Do you think Tadek is a reliable narrator? How would you describe his narrative perspective and style? Does it affect his reliability if some of the stories are autobiographical and some are not?

The title of the book is sarcastic. Do you think the stories are irreverent? Choose one story and use examples to explain whether you think the tone and manner of storytelling are flippant. 

Consider Tadek’s comment about Plato and the great achievements of man in “Auschwitz: Our Home (A Letter).” How would you explain his perspective? Do you agree or disagree? Why, or why not?

At the end of “A Day at Harmenz,” Tadek shares his food with Becker. Why do you think he does this? How does this relate to the way food is shared (or not shared) in the rest of the stories?

What do you think the stories in this collection say about the nature of evil? Are any of the characters in the stories evil? Choose a character who commits acts that might be considered evil, and use examples from the text to explain whether you believe the character is evil.

In “The Death of Schillinger,” an inmate kills First Sergeant Schillinger. What do his last words say about him? How does this story comment on the nature of justice? 

Research the aftermath of the Holocaust and the trials of those who were held legally accountable. Do you think that the American soldier in “Silence” was correct in saying that there would be justice? Why, or why not?

Borowski discusses his experiences in the camp without mitigating some of the terrible things that fellow inmates did or were forced to do. Do you think he should have included those details? Choose at least three examples that some might find shocking or upsetting, and explain whether you believe they belonged in the narratives.