Question

How did Levi's recitation of the Canto of Ulysses to Jean most benefit Levi?

a. It helped him to remember how smart he was.
b. It gave him a chance to practice his native language.
c. It made him feel human.
Department of Multicultural Education, 2004, The School District of Palm Beach County, Florida Holocaust Studies Curriculum
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d. It made Jean like him more.

Answer 1

The recitation of the Canto of Ulysses most benefited Levi by making him feel human, providing a connection to his identity and humanity through the transcendental power of literature and language. The correct option is c.

Step-by-step explanation:

The recitation of the Canto of Ulysses by Levi to Jean in Primo Levi's work has a profound impact on Levi. The correct answer to how Levi's recitation most benefited him is that it made him feel human.

Levi, like many individuals experiencing extreme deprivation or dehumanization, such as those in concentration camps during the Holocaust, found that literature and language were crucial in maintaining a sense of identity and humanity.

This act of recitation served as a reminder of the beauty and depth of human culture, and a way for Levi to temporarily transcend the inhumane conditions he was subjected to.

In this context, language and expression are not just forms of communication but become lifelines that connect individuals to their humanity and cultural identity. The correct option is c.