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Portrayal of Oppression in the French-Algerian War

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Here is my essay question:

1. In "Survival in Auschwitz", Primo Levi writes:

We do not believe in the most obvious and facile deduction: that man is fundamentally brutal, egoistic and stupid in his conduct once every civilized institution is taken away, and that the Haftling is consequently nothing but a man without inhibitions. We believe, rather that the only conclusion to be drawn is that in the face of driving necessity and physical disabilities many social habits and instincts are reduced to silence.

And in "The Poor Man's Son", Mouloud Feraoun writes in the conclusion:

While awaiting death, cultivate your garden in order to better cultivate the garden of your children and the other children, who are also yours. You are not a schoolteacher for nothing.

Using the books, please explain what Levi and Feraoun mean in these quotes. what do these book have in common and how do you think the authors' writings help you understand the effect of oppression and responses to it, both in the realm of literature and in everyday life? When answering this question, please be mindful that you are expected to tie your analysis of the book to actual historical events, facts, and dates.

...Ok so I can't find ANY interpretations, critiques, etc. of these books anywhere to help figure out what they mean in their quotes. I feel like Feraoun was referring to education when he was talking about cultivating your garden, because he was one of the only educated people from the Algiers area, and therefore one of the only people not oppressed. However, I have no idea how this related to what Levi is talking about. I don't think Levi has a solution to oppression like Feraoun does. I actually don't understand at all what Levi's quote means. If someone could help me understand it I would be able to tie it historical events and tell how it helps us understand the effects of oppression. Thank you.

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Solution Summary

The portrayal of oppression in the French-Algerian War are determined. The physical disabilities which many social habits and instincts are reduced are determined.

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You are correct about Feraoun in believing that he's referencing education. However, in another sense, there is more to life than mere education. One's garden is a metaphor for everything fruitful, beneficial, and productive in one's life. Think of a real garden. Farmers plant gardens in order to benefit from the fruit of their labour. In fact, this is where the expression "fruit of one's labour" comes from. It comes from the real fruit (or vegetables) that come from a garden after a gardener plants seeds, pick weeds, water, fertilize, etc. It takes hard work to produce a garden. That's the point of Feraoun's comments. But hard work doesn't just benefit yourself. It's suppose to benefit others.

When are you awaiting death? It all depends, doesn't it? Some people know that at certain times in their ...

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