Beyond dichotomies : representing and rewriting prisoner functionaries in Holocaust historiography / Allison Ann Rodriguez

This paper focuses on the representation of prisoner functionaries in the traditional historiography. Starting with Eugen Kogon, it traces the development of the "good political" versus "bad criminal." Using prisoner and prisoner functionary testimonies, it demonstrates that this current representation is too simplistic and must be re-evaluated. Prisoner functionaries were both prisoners and functionaries, and wore a Janus face at all times. This meant they hurt some as they saved others---all within the confines of their limited power. The paper ends with Primo Levi's The Gray Zone and a call for the understanding to be applied to future works on prisoner functionaries.