Daniel's Story

The literal and figurative pictures symbolize evidence. In other words, the photos Daniel takes and the images he keeps in his mind represent a form of documentation. Daniel makes the symbol behind pictures explicit when he says, “I don’t have my pictures anymore. Still, I can make pictures in my head […] so that when the time comes to tell of what happened, I will tell it clearly” (81). Initially, Daniel recreates Auschwitz from the images in his head. He doesn’t have physical pictures of the quarantined prisoners lying “together all night on the cold floor, not an inch between bodies” (83)—the image is a product of his mind. Later, when Adam helps get a camera for the resistance, he complements the pictures in his hand with real photos—he takes photos of the fire pits and Canada.

Whether literal or figurative, the purpose of the photos is evidence. They symbolize proof of brutal dehumanization and genocide. Daniel states, “I will live, and I will bear witness against them. I will remember” (81). Through the images, Daniel stockpiles evidence. He’s already planning for the Nazi trials. As he says to the SS officer/dad, “I’ll be there to testify at your trial” (116).