All But My Life Journal 2 Ashley McDowell

As i read the last part of All But My Life i couldn't help but feel closure. For Gerda, and for all of the other survivors, they had made it through the Holocaust. Many parts stuck in my mind but one part in particular stands out to me. "I felt a heavy blow over my eyes. 'Who?' he demanded. 'I don't know.' I repeated. Another blow fell, deafening my left ear. I swayed and staggered toward the building" This, along with various other means of punishment was the unfortunate fate that many Jewish people were forced to endure during the Holocaust. To me, and to Gerda, physical punishment would be the worst, and most terrible form of punishment i could think of. Not only does it degrade you as a person, but it humiliates you, and you are forced to feel weak, defeated. Gerda mentions in the book that "propaganda talks, nor hunger, nor work had affected my resistance as had the brutal blows of that guard." Even after having been beaten, Gerda remains strong, and is a symbol of hope for many, including her love, Abek. If I was in the same situation she was in, I couldn't be strong for me, let alone anyone else. She is incredibly brave for doing that. Also in the book, the girls would play games imagining their lives once they get out of the camps. To me, that would be my escape from reality. Kind of like a video game, or computer game. It allows you to put the reality, and actuality of life in the back of your mind, and focus on something positive to get you through. This was Gerda's way of escaping.