Survival in Auschwitz

by

Primo Levi

Doktor Pannwitz Character Analysis

Doktor Pannwitz is a German administrator at Auschwitz who tests Levi on his knowledge of chemistry so that he might work as a chemist in the camp’s laboratory. Although Levi speaks well and is clearly intelligent, he senses that Pannwitz views him as something far less than human, a specimen that one sees through a glass cage. Levi does not hate him for this, but wishes he could understand what is in Pannwitz’s mind, for then he could explain “the insanity of the third Germany.”

Doktor Pannwitz Quotes in Survival in Auschwitz

The Survival in Auschwitz quotes below are all either spoken by Doktor Pannwitz or refer to Doktor Pannwitz. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Dehumanization and Resistance Theme Icon
).
Chapter 10. Chemical Examination Quotes

Because that look was not one between two men; and if I had known how completely to explain the nature of that look, which came as if across the glass window an aquarium between tow beings who live in different worlds, I would also have explained the essence of the great insanity of the third Germany.

Related Characters: Primo Levi (speaker), Doktor Pannwitz
Page Number: 105
Explanation and Analysis:

Without hatred and without sneering, Alex wipes his hand on my shoulder, both the palm and the back of the hand, to clean it; he would be amazed, the poor brute Alex, If someone told him that today, on the basis of this action, I judge him and Pannwitz and innumerable others like him, big and small, in Auschwitz and everywhere.

Related Characters: Primo Levi (speaker), Alex, Doktor Pannwitz
Page Number: 108
Explanation and Analysis:
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Doktor Pannwitz Quotes in Survival in Auschwitz

The Survival in Auschwitz quotes below are all either spoken by Doktor Pannwitz or refer to Doktor Pannwitz. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Dehumanization and Resistance Theme Icon
).
Chapter 10. Chemical Examination Quotes

Because that look was not one between two men; and if I had known how completely to explain the nature of that look, which came as if across the glass window an aquarium between tow beings who live in different worlds, I would also have explained the essence of the great insanity of the third Germany.

Related Characters: Primo Levi (speaker), Doktor Pannwitz
Page Number: 105
Explanation and Analysis:

Without hatred and without sneering, Alex wipes his hand on my shoulder, both the palm and the back of the hand, to clean it; he would be amazed, the poor brute Alex, If someone told him that today, on the basis of this action, I judge him and Pannwitz and innumerable others like him, big and small, in Auschwitz and everywhere.

Related Characters: Primo Levi (speaker), Alex, Doktor Pannwitz
Page Number: 108
Explanation and Analysis: