Totalitarianism

A detailed Summary of Totalitarianism


Atomized and Alienated: The Place of This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen in Hannah Arendt's Totalitarian Model

In Totalitarianism, Hannah Arendt outlines the fundamental qualities that characterize and allow the rise of a totalitarian regime. From the outset, the atomization of the masses, and their subsequent alienation provide the foundation for the construction of the regime. This atomization and alienation find subtle, but powerful expression in Tadeusz Borowski's This way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen. In his stories of Auschwitz, Borowski offers an insight into the Nazi concentration camp, and in doing so, he depicts the manipulation of the captives into assuming the role of the oppressor towards their fellow oppressed. The use of captives to work for the S.S. in maintaining the camp's efficiency demonstrates the levels of confusion, alienation, and atomization possible under a totalitarian regime.

Fear through terror serves as an expedient means of achieving atomization in order to maintain the totalitarian state. Arendt describes the atomization in Soviet society by referring to the purges and the effect they have on society:

The consequence of the simple and ingenious devic


Suddenly I see the camp as a haven of peace. It is true, other may be dying, but one is somehow still alive, one has enough food, enough strength to work .... (Borowski 48)

The institution of the "Canada" provided those who would be guilty by association with a means of improving their current situation-they would help escort new arrivals to the gas in exchange for access to food and clothing. While collecting and herding for the S.S., the Canada develop a distaste, even a hatred for the people on the transports:



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Approximate Word count = 983
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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