Alfred L. is an older Jewish man, who, though thin and weak-looking, manages to survive and set himself apart from his comrades at Auschwitz by keeping himself as groomed and proper-looking as it is possible to be in a labor camp. By putting on the appearance of importance, power, and dignity, Alfred L. is eventually promoted to a position of authority amongst the Jewish prisoners, increasing his chance of survival. Levi describes Alfred L.’s method of survival to demonstrate the importance of appearances, even in such a place as the camp.