Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a story not only about Frankl’s survival in the Auschwitz concentration camp, but also discusses the internal struggle he endured while in those camps. Frankl, among the other captives, suffered through a great amount of pain, not only physically, but mentally as well. This pain became so great at times, that many could not bear this turmoil, and in turn, gave up all hope for survival. The reason for this lack of hope depended on one thing according to Frankl: being able to see the meaning in their suffering. Without a purpose to live, without meaning in one’s life, one was certainly guaranteed to throw in the towel and give in to their mind which was telling them that it was not worth it, but this was not the case for Viktor Frankl. He used his psychiatric training to help himself and others see that their future was not over just because they were stuck in this camp. He gave them the strength to face the worst, to accept it, and to know that they would survive and return to the love they once knew.
The gruesome detail Frankl uses to describe the conditions and treatments of the prisoners clearly sh
Although a great deal of evil was present and directed towards the prisoners, I think that love conquered all in this story. Those who felt that they had something to live for, who were still able to remember the love of their families and friends had the best chance of survival. Frankl, for instance, thought about his wife and the love that they shared. At every chance he got, he thought about pleasant events from the past to help him get through all the hard times. Despite all the hardships, their minds were their biggest enemies. They seemed to be telling them to give in to the pain, but many were able to overcome these thoughts and look forward to the day when they would be free. Those that were able to put meaning on the unavoidable suffering, and then face it bravely, achieved a deep and untouchable freedom. This freedom enabled some prisoners to find beauty even in the simplest things. My favorite part is the following: “One evening, when we were already resting on the floor of our hut, dead tired, soup bowls in hand, a fellow prisoner rushed in and asked us to run out to the assembly grounds and see the wonderful sunset. Standing outside we sa
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