Essay Question on The Reawakening by Primo Levi

Allied occupiers and everyday Europeans viewed 1945 and the months immediately following it as a “Year Zero.” (Not mentioned in the book). Primo Levi’s The Reawakening tells of an Auschwitz survivor’s long journey home during this time to his native Italy, a chaotic voyage traversing Poland, the Soviet Union, Romania, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Germany. Based on your reading of The Reawakening, how do you feel the author’s understanding of the 1945-47 period corresponds to (and/or challenges) the concept “Year Zero”?

Your paper should be 4-6 pages, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins all around.

Minimum of 1500 words, maximum 2800 words (not including footnotes or endnotes)

Sources:

• The Reawakening by Primo Levi
• PowerPoint lecture slides.

*Stick to short quotes from the book (avoid lengthy ones!) and make sure to cite page numbers in either footnotes or endnotes.