When the prisoners first arrived at the camp most of them thought they would be spared at the last moment. The prisoners believed they had a chance of surviving, but this belief was eventually eliminated and it was at this time when the prisoners began to learn how to survive by using their internal strength. A sense of humor had emerged among the prisoners. This humor helped to get through some difficult situations they faced. Viktor also observed how much a person could really endure and still live. Even though the prisoners could not clean their teeth and were deprived of warmth and vitamins, they still were able to survive. The sores and abrasions on their hands did not suppurate despite the dirt that gathered on them from the hard labor. The challenge of staying alive under these wretched conditions was to have and maintain strong internal strength.

When Viktor and the prisoners were released everyone except Viktor had no sense of direction. They did not know what was right and what was wrong. They went around and copied the actions of the SS, not knowing that it was wrong. Victor was fortunate and did not end up like the other survivors, since he had more knowledge than they did and was able to see his opportunity to live his life again.

During the time he spent in the camps, Viktor learned what was needed to survive and how to keep his internal strength despite his weakening external strength.

Viktor's concept applies to my life during the times when I am feeling bad or when I just don't know what to do. When I am have tremendous amount of work and I don't know when or how I will get through it I think about how it will turn out in the future. I know that I will get through the difficulty alive, unlike the situation that Viktor and the other prisoners were going through. I just look forward to the future and acknowledge the fact that even if I do a bad job there will be other things to make up for it afterwards. Sometimes when my environment is unpleasing to me I like to get out of reality and think about the things that I enjoy. When I have much work to do and I don't know why I am doing it at all I think of my parents. I want a good education and a good career to be able to thank my parents for the sacrifices

Some common words found in the essay are:
Viktor Frankl's, internal strength, , control life, survival living, viktor prisoners,
Approximate Word count = 933
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)