Abstract

This article focuses on the metaphysical revenge of Lili Kasticher (1923–1973), apparently the only female inmate to have written as an individual at Auschwitz-Birkenau. While a prisoner in the women’s camp, she wrote from April to November 1944. Her notes were concealed on her person until her liberation in spring 1945. Possessing a piece of paper or pencil stub was absolutely forbidden in Auschwitz-Birkenau under penalty of death. Hence, little to no creative writing was accomplished by Auschwitz inmates, except in the virtually sole instance of the “Sonderkommando” members, who documented everyday life at the camp in the hope that someone would find the material after the war, as indeed occurred. Another small group of inmates who had managed to get hold of paper and writing implements consisted of a handful of Polish political prisoners or others close to them. Facing punishment of certain death, no women are known to have written at Auschwitz-Birkenau, except for Lili Kasticher. Her works included a political-social manifesto entitled “Rules of Behavior,” intended as a guide to survival for herself and her blockmates. We should understand the power of these writings as a means of rebellion and metaphysical revenge.