Chapter 4 "Ka-Be," Summary and Analysis

Ka-Be is the camp abbreviation of Krankenbau, or infirmary. Levi starts the chapter by describing some of the daily work routine of life in the camp. In general the inmates are used as beasts of burden to transport heavy objects around the work camp area. He reports that he has now been at Monowitz-Buna for two months and that out of the more than one hundred initially reporting with his shipment, only forty remain alive.

One day the inmates are assigned to work in pairs carrying heavy iron frames; Levi is assigned to work with Nul Achtzen, a young man who is so utterly defeated that he goes by his tattooed number of 018 rather than his name. Although a strong worker, Null Achtzen is entirely without motivation. After carrying one frame, Levi and his companion return for...