Chapter 10 "Chemical Examination," Summary and Analysis

One day after about three months in the camp, Levi has an opportunity to join Kommando 98, the Chemical Kommando, a newly-forming group. As previously noted, Levi's education had been in chemistry. He graduated in 1941, summa cum laude, from the University at Turin. The work group is led by Alex, a Kapo who has no chemical knowledge. Levi is happy that his particular friend, Alberto, will also possibly join the work group. For several days, the work group performs manual labor like any other assignment. Then the volunteers are summoned before a Dr. Pannwitz, a famous industrial chemist. Pannwitz inspects them as if they were fish in an aquarium and then administers a fairly lengthy oral examination on chemistry.

Levi and the others then return to the Block, where they are sent to bed for the...