Final answer:
The most shocking aspects of being a prisoner in Auschwitz included the immediate extermination of the majority of arrivals, the merciless use of others for labor until death, and the subsequent silence of survivors due to the trauma suffered. The indifference to human life and the scale of organized genocide discovered by Allied soldiers upon liberation were unfathomable.
Step-by-step explanation:
One aspect of being a prisoner in Auschwitz I found most shocking is the immediate and industrial-scale extermination of human life. Approximately 80% of new arrivals were sent directly to the gas chambers, a fact that underscores the Nazis' relentless effort to implement the Final Solution.
The most chilling aspect was the selection process upon arrival, where those deemed unfit for labor were immediately exterminated, a stark illustration of the disregard for humanity.
Another horrifying aspect was the living conditions of the prisoners. The fact that only about 20% of the prisoners were chosen for slave labor and that these individuals were worked to death or eventually killed if they were unable to continue works, demonstrates the complete exploitation of humans as resources without any regard for their well-being.
Knowing that demarcation of social groups led to a survival hierarchy among prisoners—where non-Jewish German criminals could serve as kapos overseeing others—is both shocking and deeply disturbing.
Furthermore, the aftermath and the silence of the survivors highlights the trauma experienced.
The hesitance of survivors to discuss their experiences and the ignorance of most people regarding the extent of this atrocity for decades after the war are testament to the long-lasting shock and pain caused by the events in Auschwitz.
The horrifying truth that Allied soldiers encountered upon liberation, as described by Felix L. Sparks, reveals a level of inhumanity that is hard to comprehend even on reflection.