The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Money, as a symbolic exchange of the value of human labor, is a nearly universal concept, no matter the situation people find themselves in. In the concentration camps, currency takes many forms and value fluctuates wildly. Lale and his fellow prisoners are not allowed to own property. They are also subject to starvation and malnutrition. This means that traditional forms of material wealth—paper money, gold, jewels—hold no intrinsic value in Auschwitz. Initially, currency exchange in the camp comes in the form of salvaged bits of the poor-quality bread that they are given to eat at mealtimes. Money cannot be spent in Auschwitz, so it has no real value. Bread, however, has an immediate use: it can be eaten. In the face of malnutrition and starvation, it is incredibly valuable.

Currency exchange transforms with the advent of Lale’s black-market operation with Victor and Yuri. Jewels and money regain value for the prisoners, albeit at grossly-deflated prices. Lale exchanges diamonds for ordinarily cheap items such as sausage and chocolate. While it may seem to be an unfair exchange, it is important to remember that Victor and Yuri risk their lives to get these goods to Lale. The value of the items Lale gives him is incentive to continue doing so, despite the danger.