Borowski’s narratives of life in Auschwitz are different from those told by Jewish survivors, because Borowski was a Polish political immigrant. How does his perspective differ from what you know or think you know about life in the concentration camps? What was surprising? Use specific examples from the text.

Do you think Tadek is a reliable narrator? How would you describe his narrative perspective and style? Does it affect his reliability if some of the stories are autobiographical and some are not?

The title of the book is sarcastic. Do you think the stories are irreverent? Choose one story and use examples to explain whether you think the tone and manner of storytelling are flippant.