The quotation from paragraph 20, which states, "... he didn't know the Nazis were trying to slaughter all Jews, something he says he and other prisoners learned only after liberation," contributes significantly to the central ideas of the text by highlighting the theme of ignorance and the true horror of the Holocaust.
The central ideas of the text likely revolve around the experiences of prisoners during the Holocaust and the atrocities committed by the Nazis. This particular detail emphasizes the profound ignorance and isolation that many prisoners faced during their captivity. It shows that those imprisoned in concentration camps were often kept in the dark about the full extent of the Nazi regime's genocidal intentions.
The fact that the speaker and other prisoners only learned about the Nazis' plan to slaughter all Jews after liberation highlights the deliberate efforts by the Nazis to conceal the full scale of their brutal actions from their victims. It underscores the manipulative and sinister nature of the Holocaust, where deception and secrecy were used to control and oppress those held captive.
Additionally, this detail underscores the immense shock and trauma that survivors experienced upon learning the truth after their liberation. The revelation of the systematic extermination of millions of Jews would have been overwhelming and deeply haunting for those who had been unaware of the extent of the genocide while imprisoned.
By including this detail in the text, the author brings attention to the psychological and emotional toll that ignorance and the eventual discovery of the truth had on the survivors. It adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, showing the resilience and strength of those who survived the Holocaust despite the immense suffering and the intentional deception they endured.