Primo Levi commentateur de sa propre résilience

Résumé

Primo Levi, porteur d’un témoignage sur les camps de concentration, est aussi un commentateur lucide de sa propre résilience, fondée sur l’écriture. Ayant subi le trauma de la déshumanisation, il découvre l’urgence de raconter tout en restant conscient des enjeux que présente un récit autobiographique. La mémoire devient ainsi un facteur fondamental aux fonctions divergentes. Le récit à travers lequel Levi reconstruit son identité est hautement valorisé par sa fonction de témoignage, servant en outre de barrière protectrice entre le présent et le passé atroce.

Abstract

Primo Levi, whilst bearing witness to concentration camps, is also an acute commentator of his own resilience, accomplished through writing. Having suffered the trauma of dehumanization, Levi discovers the urgency of telling his story, yet remains aware of the complex issues implied in autobiography. Memory thus becomes an essential factor which assumes divergent functions. Levi reconstructs his identity by telling his story, the value of which is heightened by his role of witness. His story furthermore serves as a protective barrier between the present and the atrocious past.