Air Quote by Howard Jacobson
“There is much that makes one pause in 'If This is a Man', the record of Levi's 11-month incarceration in Auschwitz, much one cannot read without needing to lay aside the book and inhale the breath of common air.”
About This Quote
Source Book: If This is a Man by Primo Levi, 1947
The quote highlights the suffocating intensity of reading Holocaust testimony, urging readers to pause and breathe.
In simple terms: Reading such trauma can feel overwhelming, requiring mental breaks.
Key Takeaway
Take breaks to process heavy material.
Themes
trauma
memory
empathy
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- studying history
- reading memoirs
- teaching Holocaust
- self‑care after intense reading
Key Concepts
human rights
historical witness
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance immersion with self‑care?
- What breathing techniques help after confronting trauma?
A Different Perspective
The emotional weight may still linger despite pauses.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)