Final answer:
The sky at Auschwitz was 'orangey' due to the smoke from the crematoria during the Holocaust, reflecting both literal and metaphorical elements of the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hana Pravda described the sky at Auschwitz as “orangey” likely because of the presence of the crematoria used during the Holocaust. The constant burning of the bodies produced smoke and particulate matter, which could give the sky a tainted, orange hue, similar to what is observed in areas of industrial pollution or wildfires. The description could reflect both the literal appearance of the sky due to the fires and a metaphorical representation of the hellish conditions the prisoners endured.
The Holocaust was a period of extreme suffering and inhumanity, as evidenced by experiences like those of Hana Pravda. The orange sky was a daily reminder of the horrific reality endured by the people in the concentration camps. Artists and witnesses of the time often used color in their works to convey the emotional and psychological impact of the events around them, as color has the power to influence the soul, according to Kandinskii.