A Critical Review of Man’s Search for Meaning

by Laura Beres

            In Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl tells the very personal story of his experience as a prisoner in a concentration camp during the Holocaust.  He presents this story in the form of an essay in which he shares his arguments and analysis as a doctor and psychologist as well as a former prisoner.  This paper will review Frankl’s story as well as his main arguments, and will evaluate the quality of Frankl’s writing and focus on any areas of weakness within the story. 

            This section contains a summary of Man's Search.  Frankl begins his book by stating that his purpose in writing the book is not to present facts and details of the Holocaust, but to provide a personal account of the everyday life of a prisoner living in a concentration camp.  He states, “This tale is not concerned with the great horrors, which have already been described often enough (though less often believed), but…it will try to answer this question:  How was everyday life in a concentration camp reflected in the mind of the average prisoner?” (21).  Frankl then goes on to describe the three stages of a prisoner’s psychological reactions to being held captive in a concentration camp.

The first phase, which occurs just after the prisoner is admitted to the camp, is shock.  The second phase, occurring once the prisoner has fallen into a routine within the camp, is one of apathy, or “the blunting of the emotions and the feeling that one could not anymore” (42).   The third phase, which occurs after the prisoner has been liberated from the camp, is a period of “depersonalization”, in which “everything appears unreal, unlikely, as in a dream” (110).  In this phase, released prisoners also feel a sense of “bitterness and disillusionment” when returning to their former lives (113).  Frankl describes each of these phases using psychological theory and provides personal experiences to exemplify each of the stages.

Author’s Arguments

            As described above, Frankl’s main purpose for writing this book is to present and analyze the average prisoner’s psychological reactions to the everyday life of a concentration camp.  His three main arguments are his presentation and analysis of each of the psychological stages that the average concentration camp prisoner experiences:  shock, apathy and depersonalization.  He bases his analyses of each of these stages on the actions of the prisoners and his own personal thoughts and reactions as he experienced life in a concentration camp. 

For example, Frankl argues that the second phase of apathy forces “the prisoner’s life down to a primitive level” (47) in which “all efforts and all emotions were centered on one task:  preserving one’s own life and that of the other fellow” (47).  He bases this theory on events he witnessed while living in the camp himself, and states, “It was natural that the desire for food was the major primitive instinct around which mental life centered.  Let us observe the majority of prisoners when they happened to work near each other and were, for once, not closely

watched.  They would immediately start discussing food” (48).  Frankl continuously uses examples from his experiences in the concentration camp to illustrate and strengthen his psychological arguments throughout the text. 

Evaluation

This section contains an evaluation of Frankl’s book.  Firstly, the author is a survivor of the Holocaust and was a prisoner of a concentration camp himself, which gives him the personal insight to be able to comment on the psychological conditions of an average prisoner.  However, this also creates a bias and because of his personal experience, he is unable to be entirely objective in writing his analysis.  Frankl acknowledges this bias in the beginning of his book, by stating, “Only the man inside knows.  His judgments may not be objective, his evaluations may be out of proportion.  This is inevitable.  An attempt must be made to avoid any personal bias, and that is the real difficulty of a book of this kind” (24-25).  Although he is aware of this bias, it creates a partiality that will sway the readers throughout his story and it serves as a minor weakness in his writing style. 

            A second weakness in Frankl’s writing is in the assumptions he sometimes makes to prove his point.  He makes overarching generalizations several times in his book, making statements that, although may have been true for himself and those around him, might not have been true for every prisoner in every concentration camp during the Holocaust.  For example, in one instance, he says, “The prisoner of Auschwitz , in the first phase of shock, did not fear death” (37).  It is very bold to say that no prisoner of Auschwitz, one of the most well-known and deadly concentration camps of the Holocaust, did not fear death, as death was all around them and was a very real threat in their daily lives.  Although he might have not feared death during his phase of shock, it is impossible for him to guarantee that no prisoner was at all fearful of death in this first psychological phase, and for him to make overarching assumptions like this is a weakness to the overall quality of his book. 

            Finally, Frankl sometimes becomes too technical and verbose in his writing style, which makes it very hard for the average reader to understand.  One example of this is as follows.  Frankl states, “I remember an incident when there was an occasion for psychotherapeutic work on the inmates of a whole hut, due to an intensification of their receptiveness because of a certain external situation” (102).  This sentence, which is overly wordy and complicated, makes it difficult for the average reader to understand exactly what he is saying.  A reader can easily get frustrated when trying to decipher the author’s meaning due to overly complicated language, and this is a third weakness of Frankl’s writing. 

Conclusion

            This critical review has evaluated the book Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. The psychological theories that Frankl presents are very interesting and he does a good job of illustrating these theories with his own personal experiences.  However, his writing is weakened by the presence of bias, the overarching assumptions he occasionally makes, and his sometimes overly technical and verbose language. 

text type Purpose Features Examples

REVIEW summarizes, critique, analyses and assesses the appeal of a novel, play or film or art work to a broader audience

describes how features (e.g. characters, plot, language features, humor etc) may or may not appeal

commentary on a film, play, book etc

The works/event may include: movie, TV shows, Books, Plays/drama, opera, songs, exhibition, concert , ballet etc.

Text- Structure/organization:1. Orientation – background information on the text.( name

the work, the writer, the publisher/producers/ the director)

2. Interpretative Recount – summary/synopsis of an art works (including characters and plot)

3. Evaluation : Concluding statement ( judgment, opinion or recommendation). It can consists of more than one.

4. Evaluative Summation: The last opinion consisting the appraisal or the punch line of the art works being criticized. Use metaphorical expression & words (adjectives) of appraisal to show the quality of a certain art work

Language Features: Noun phrase Complex and compound sentence Elaboration of information Metaphorical expression Adjectives Simple Present & Past

I Sing the song

ALWAYS : Bon Jovi

This Romeo is …(1) But you can’t see his blood.It’s nothing but some feelings.That is old dog …(2) up.It’s been …(3) since you left me.Now I’m drowning in the flood .You see I’ve always …(4) a fighter. But without you I give up.Now I can’t sing a love song Like the way, it’s …(5) to be well I guess I’m not that good anymore But baby, that’s just me. And I will love you babyAlways . And I’ll …(6) there forever and a dayAlways, I’ll be there til the stars don’t …(7)Til the heavens burst and the words don’t …(8)I know when I dieYou’ll be on my mindAnd I’ll love youAlwaysNow your pictures that you left …(9) are just memories of different life. Some that made us…(10). Some that made us cry. One that made you have to say good bye.What I’d give to run my fingers through your …(11).Touch your lips to hold you near when you say your …(12)Try to understand I’ve made mistakes. I’m just a manWhen he holds you close; when he …(13) you near; when he says the wordsYou have been needing to hearI wish I was him. Cause those …(14) are mine to say, to say til the end of timeAnd I will love you BabyAlways, and I’ll be there forever and a dayAlways, if you told me to cry for you, I couldIf you told me to …(15) for you, I would take a look at my faceThere is no price I …(16) pay to say these words to youWell there aren’t no luck in these loaded …(17).But baby, if you give me just one more…(18), we can …(19) up our old …(20) and our old livesWe’ll find a place where the sun still shinesAnd I will love you BabyAlways and I’ll be there forever and a day.

1. bleeding.2. kicked3. raining4. been5. meant6. be7. shine8. rhyme9. behind10. laugh11. hair12. prayers.13. pulls14. words15. die16. won’t17. dice18. try19. pack20. dreams

II Answer The following

1. What is the theme of the song?2. What mood that the song cause to you?3. What message do you grasp from the song?4. Listen again and are you still in your previous mood?

Conjunctions in complex sentences1. To express time ( after, before, since, until, when, while)

Example: While Sarah was getting ready for bed, she heard someone fire a gun. I have been acting in movies since I was young.

2. To express cause ( because, since, as)Example:

Since Mark is only seven years old, he cannot vote yet. Ted refused to marry that beautiful girl because he didn’t love her.

3. To express condition ( if, unless)Example:

Unless her stepmother gave her permission, Cinderella wouldn’t go anywhere.4. To express contrast (although, even though, though )

Example: Ben was not accepted by the university although he had good grades and several

recommendations.5. To express purpose ( in order to, so that )

Example: My father took an extra job so that we could finish our study.

6. To express identification.( that, when, where, who )Example:

I want to talk to the little girl who is wearing the white dress. Citra chose the blouse that was hanged beside the blue one.

Conjunctions in compound sentences ( and, but, or, so)Example:The man ate shrimp and the woman sipped wine./ champagne.

Conjunction in compound – complex sentences (while, when)Example:While the waiter served dessert, the man ate shrimp and the woman sipped champagne.

Test yourselves!A Make good compound or complex sentences from sentences below!

1. Jurassic Park II is a motion picture about an island populated with real dinosaurs. It was released in 1997.

2. This science fiction adventure is the sequel to the box office hit Jurassic Park (1993). A scientist built a dinosaur theme park on a remote island.

3. Those dinosaurs were destroyed. There are some left on another island.4. Dr. Sarah Harding is played by Julianne Moore. Dr. Ian Malcolm is played by Jeff

Goldblum. They travel to the island to observe the dinosaurs.5. They try to prevent Roland Tembo ( Pete Postlethwaite) from rounding the beasts up.

They take them to a theme park in the United States.6. The weather turns bad. The dinosaurs become violent. One of the angry beasts makes its

way to Los Angeles, California.7. You can make a boat. You can’t make the ocean.

8. You can make an air plane. You can’t make the air.

Make your own using:1. (who, and) : …2. (but, after) : …3. (and, if) : …4. ( so, because) : …5. ( and, so) : …6. (but, while) : …7. ( or, even though): …8. ( and, before) : …

Fill in the blanks with the suitable adjectives.innovative exquisite cooperative great hugetriumphant precious impressive enjoyable richer

1. Desi is very … and helpful in times of need.2. Jim has such … approach in daily work.3. Anyway, this is a … movie and I recommend it all the way.4. New characters were influenced in this film, which was an … aspect.5. The scenery of the hall was …6. The … dialogue really held the audience’s attention and kept the on the edge of their

seats.7. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a book trilogy which is in many senses, is … to me8. Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ is a play that is …9. This movie is … than the original comic.10. Spiderman is a … hit.

Metaphorical Language

What is metaphor?A metaphor is a word or phrase that is used to make a comparison between two people, things, or places

A metaphor is the substitution of one idea or object with another. -> To make sense.Example:

You are my life.A = B

A good book is food for thought.A = B

He is a lion in battle.

My brain is foggy today.

A good book is like/as a good meal for thought. (Simile)

Discuss to complete the sentences below with the correct words/phrases provided to create metaphorical sentences.

- money - fireworks in the sky- a sense of achievement - an angel- a computer - just someone who brings happiness- sparkling diamonds - music to his ears- a shining star - balls of cotton

1. Her lovely voice is …2. The actor is …3. Time is …4. The clouds are …5. The lightening was …6. Your brain is …7. She is …8. Success is …9. Thank you so much. You are …10. The stars are …

In review text, metaphorical expression is used to compare the similarities of two art works.

Example: Spiderman 2 reminds me somewhat of Superman, in which Clark Kent struggles with his secret power.( The writer compares two different titles of movies but they have the same complication/problem in the story.)The analogy is: Spiderman 2 = Superman Struggles with his secret power Struggles with his secret power

The music of ‘Aladin’ movie is spectacular, following the success of its predecessor ‘Beauty and the Beast’ The analogy is: spectacular; successful, duetJurassic Park 2 is sequel of Jurassic 1, both show animation of dinosaurs. Exercise:Make your metaphorical expression.1. Bajaj Bajuri – Si Doel Anak Sekolahan.

Following the success of Si Doel Anak Sekolahan, Bajaj Bajuri takes the setting of Betawi culture.

2. Hitam Putih – Bukan Empat Mata:

3. Peterpan – Noah: 4. Gigi – Dewa5. Coca Cola – Pepsi Cola : Coca cola uses bad singer such as tayl*r swift to make an

ad, unlike Pepsi which uses one direction6. Cinta Fitri – Tersanjung: 7. Kick Andy – Oprah Winfrey: 8. Upin Ipin – Adit & Sopo Jarwo:9. Mata Pancing – Mancing Mania10. Jalan Jalan Men – My Trip My Adventure:

Use the information above to complete the following dialogue.

Mellisa is reading a movie review about “Jurassic Park” when Arinda comes to visit her.

Arinda : Hello, how are you?Mellisa : Fine, what about you? You look so happy.Arinda : Yup. I want to go somewhere for relaxing but …Mellisa : What about “Jurassic Park” at Plaza theater? The Lost World directed by Steven

Spielberg. It must be very great.Arinda : It’s a good idea. Don’t you know any movie directed by ………(1)It must be

amazing. By the way, who are the actors?Mellisa : …………..(2) Arinda : And what is the movie about?Mellisa : Don’t you see “Jurassic Park” ? It is about an island populated ………………..(3)Arinda : It is a new film?Mellisa : No. it was …………..(4) in 1997, but it is still popular.Arinda : It must be a science –fiction movie.Mellisa : Right. I think you must read this review before deciding whether you’ll go.Arinda : Thanks. It must be very good. A mad scientist built …..(5)? Dinosaurs? I don’t believe it in a ……….(6)and …………(7) They must be very crazy to take the beast ……………………….(8) , in California.

Let’s go now Mel, I can not wait.Mellisa : But you must wait until tomorrow at 3 p.m.Arinda : What? I need to go now.Mellisa : Sorry. Calm down. Well, wht about another movie?Arinda : Thank. I have to call my mother. Bye Mel…and see you Mellisa : Bye.

Arinda : ……………………………Mellisa : Fine, what about you? You look so happy.Arinda : ………………………………………………….Mellisa : What about “Jurassic Park” at Plaza theater? The Lost World directed by Steven Spielberg. It

must be very great.Arinda : ………………………………………………………… Mellisa : …………..(2) Arinda : ……………………………………………………..Mellisa : Don’t you see “Jurassic Park” ? It is about an island populated ………………..(3)Arinda : ……………………………………………………………………..Mellisa : No. it was …………..(4) in 1997, but it is still popular.Arinda : ………………………………………………………………………..Mellisa : Right. I think you must read this review before deciding whether you’ll go.Arinda : …………………………………………………………………Mellisa : But you must wait until tomorrow at 3 p.m.Arinda : ……………………………………………………………………………. Mellisa : Sorry. Calm down. Well, what about another movie?Arinda : ……………………………………………………………………………Mellisa : Bye.

Arinda : Hello, how are you?Mellisa : ……………………………………………………….Arinda : Yup. I want to go somewhere for relaxing but …Mellisa : ………………………………………………………………………Arinda : It’s a good idea. Don’t you know any movie directed by ………(1)must be amazing. By the way, who are the actors?Mellisa : ……………………………………………………………………….Arinda : And what is the movie about?Mellisa : ……………………………………………………………………………..Arinda : It is a new film?Mellisa : ……………………………………………………………………………..Arinda : It must be a science –fiction movie.Mellisa : ……………………………………………………………………………………….Arinda : Thanks. It must be very good. A mad scientist built …..(5)? Dinosaurs? I don’t believe it in a ……….(6)and …………(7) They must be very crazy to take the beast ……………………….(8) , in California. Let’s go

now Mel, I can not wait.Mellisa : …………………………………………………………………………………..Arinda : What? I need to go now.Mellisa : …………………………………………………………………………………..Arinda : Thank. I have to call my mother. Bye Mel…and see you Mellisa : …………………………………………………………………………..

Reading: The Lost World Jurassic Park Part II , motion picture about an island populated with real dinosaurs. Released in 1997, this science fiction adventure is the sequel to the box-office hit Jurassic Park (1993), in which a mad scientist built a dinosaur theme park on a remote island. Although those dinosaurs were destroyed , there are some left on another island. Dr. Sarah Harding (played by Julianne Moore) and Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) travel to the island to observe the dinosaurs and try to prevent Roland Tembo (Pete Postlethwaite )from rounding the beast up and taking them to a theme park in the United States. The weather turns bad, the dinosaurs become violent, and one of the angry beast makes his way to Los Angeles, California.

Director,Steven Spielberg

Reading: The Lost World Jurassic Park Part II , motion picture about an island populated with real dinosaurs. Released in 1997, this science fiction adventure is the sequel to the box-office hit Jurassic Park (1993), in which a mad scientist built a dinosaur theme park on a remote island. Although those dinosaurs were destroyed , there are some left on another island. Dr. Sarah Harding (played by Julianne Moore) and Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) travel to the island to observe the dinosaurs and try to prevent Roland Tembo (Pete Postlethwaite )from rounding the beast up and taking them to a theme park in the United States. The weather turns bad, the dinosaurs become violent, and one of the angry beast makes his way to Los Angeles, California.

Director,Steven Spielberg

Reading: The Lost World Jurassic Park Part II , motion picture about an island populated with real dinosaurs. Released in 1997, this science fiction adventure is the sequel to the box-office hit Jurassic Park (1993), in which a mad scientist built a dinosaur theme park on a remote island. Although those dinosaurs were destroyed , there are some left on another island. Dr. Sarah Harding (played by Julianne Moore) and Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) travel to the island to observe the dinosaurs and try to prevent Roland Tembo (Pete Postlethwaite )from rounding the beast up and taking them to a theme park in the United States. The weather turns bad, the dinosaurs become violent, and one of the angry beast makes his way to Los Angeles, California.

Director,Steven SpielbergGrammar Focus:

See the example.Harry Potter:

Orientation

 Harry Potter novel was written by author J. K. Rowling. The series is distributed by Warner Bros.  I absolutely love the Harry Potter series, and all of the books will always hold a special place in my heart.

Interpretative recount

Order of the Phoenix is a different kind of book. In some instances this works…you feel a whole new level of intensity and excitement by the time you get to the end. I was truly moved by the last page. Other times the book just has a slightly dreary, depressing feel. The galloping pace of the other books has slowed to a trot here, and parts of it do seem long, as if we’re reading all about Harry “just hanging out” instead of having his usual adventures. Reading in detail about Harry cleaning up an old house, for example - housekeeping is still housekeeping, magical or no, and I’m not very interested in doing it or reading about other people doing it. Evaluation

A few other changes in this book - the “real” world comes much more in to play rather than the fantasy universe of the previous books, and Harry has apparently been taken off his meds. I know that he had a lot to be grumpy in this book, especially with being a teenager and all, but the sudden change in his character seemed too drastic. He goes from being a warm-hearted, considerate person to someone who will bite his best friend’s heads off over nothing. It just seemed like it didn’t fit with his character, like he turned into a walking cliché of the “angry teen “overnight.The “real” story seemed to happen in the last 1/3 of the book, and this part I loved. I actually liked the ending (and yes, I cried!) as sad as it was. It packed a punch and it made me care about the story even more. Still a really good book, with some editing it would have been great.

Conclusion:

I have to say that of all the books, however, this one is not the only of my favorite. When the series began it was as much of a “feel good” experience as a huge mug of hot cocoa. The stories were bright, fast-paced, intriguing, and ultimately satisfying.

A remarkably influential show, 26 August 2001

Oprah WinfreyIt's amazing media empire that Winfrey has built - including print, film, and television - starting from this show. While the quality has varied over the years, and some might not be a fan of the "touchy-feely" bent many of the shows have taken over the past few years, Oprah is a remarkably likeable, real, and charismatic figure. She has appealed to a wide audience, and has often chosen the high road when making programming decisions. The show has definitely been a positive force in North America - the effect of "Oprah's Book Club" on book sales alone is proof of that - and hopefully will continue to be for years to come.

Scorpion': TV Review

"Scorpion," with real-life inspiration Walter O'Brien (inset).

AirdateSept. 22, 9 p.m., CBS

Executive ProducerNick Santora

CastElyes Gabel, Katharine McPhee, Robert Patrick, Jadyn Wong, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Ari Stidham

The Bottom LineAn eccentric genius and a group of "brilliant misfits" combine to help Homeland Security. Sounds goofy, but it's inspired by someone considered very important by the government 

The real-life inspiration might be more interesting than the actual show, but it's only a pilot and this genius-and-misfits combination could end up being entertainingThe new CBS drama Scorpion is sometimes referred to as the hour long, not-funny version of Big Bang Theory, because it employs some of the same super-genius-with-social-issues ideas as the comedy.

While that might help draw a curious crowd, I'm not sure it's going to ultimately help make Scorpion, which is based on a very good idea but executed in the pilot with too much sap and manipulation, a long-standing hit.See more THR's Fall TV PreviewWhat might? Having the good intentions and premise of the pilot find itself more fully in future episodes (which, given that it's being done on CBS, entirely likely). Given that I liked whatScorpion could become as I winced through the heavy-handed parts of the pilot, let's hope that happens.If the series can live up to the backstory of its real-life inspirationthat would be fantastic (seriously, take a peek at that bio).Scorpion is about "eccentric genius Walter O'Brien and his team of brilliant misfits who comprise the last line of defense against complex high-tech threats of the modern age," according to CBS. They do this by being pulled into Homeland Security and given the green light, which is only mildly alarming, about the fate of the world.