Chapter 5 "Our Nights," Summary and Analysis

After three weeks, Levi is discharged from Ka-Be. Discharge is a tumultuous and difficult time because the convalescent is assigned into a Block at random. Thus, they find themselves among strangers who are already bonded to each other. The result is often fatal. Fortunately, Levi is assigned a Block where he has a good friend. Alberto and Levi have known each other for many months and have developed a strong and intimate friendship, which will continue to develop throughout their time at Auschwitz. Alberto is resourceful, intelligent and well liked, and, thus Levi, as his friend, is accepted.

The remainder of the chapter discloses the life of an inmate after the working day. After evening roll call, a brief period of idleness is spent in the Block huts. Various personal services are offered by inmates...