Written by Viktor Frankl ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ is still as relevant now as it was 72 years ago – a time period where Europe was recollecting the pieces from the Second World War. Viktor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist who in his book provides an in-depth look at the psychology of a Holocaust survivor, being one himself. He describes the stages of reactions to the immensely dreadful, life-changing experience as well as narrates moments of hope and community that he experienced in the midst of the intense, collective suffering.
Being someone who has indulged in existential thoughts, reading this book allowed me to couple both extreme suffering with a psychological outlook as Frankl instructs his readers in the journey to find meaning in their lives. In reading this timeless piece of literature I was particularly struck by the sheer power of the human mind, which is found in multiple accounts. The first was the when Frankl describes one man who practically willed himself to death, even though to onlookers it appeared to be Typhus. One senior block warden confined in Frankl about a dream that he had where someone professed to him that this war would be over on the 30th of March 1945. In retrospect, we know that the war lasted for 6 more months, but the senior block warden did not live to see that day, as his faith in the war ending declined to zero, he suddenly became sick with typhus on March the 29th and by March 31st was declared dead.
The second similarly has to do with the power of the human mind, and its ability to see beauty in the harshest conditions. One particular sunset is described, a couple of men gathered to watch the setting sun from the confines of their concentration camp, but as Frankl narrates, despite their conditions they were completely and utterly absorbed by the beauty of nature. This made me question: if the men in the concentration camp on that day could drag their tired bodies out of the huts that they slept in to watch the sun setting, why can’t we appreciate the beauty and nature around us more? Furthermore, how powerful must the human mind be to endure such trauma and still have the ability to recognise and acknowledge such a site?
It is undeniable that similar situations to the Holocaust are happening daily in the world that we live in. Perhaps undocumented, smaller scale and deemed less important. In understanding the psychology of victims of crimes against humanity, we are equipped with a perspective that will aid us to move forward and support people with a stronger sense of humanity. Even if one hasn’t experienced an ordeal that is near the scale of the Holocaust, “Man’s Search for Meaning’ will bring a new outlook to your life. It furthermore puts into perspective your current situation – illustrating how others dealt with trauma and terror and how they survived. No matter how uncontrollable the situation, Frankl reminds us that we always have control of our reactions to the situations and can exercise our minds to find the “why” that we will suffer for.
Although lengthy, this review does not begin to do the book justice. ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ is available in numerous bookstores no matter where you are in the world, and possible to access online. Read it and tell me what you think!