Lale versus Houstek: Authority and Accusation

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

This conflict thread follows Lale's fraught relationship with Oberscharführer Houstek, from interview to interrogation and near-execution.

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Language Interview Language Interview from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Language Interview Oberscharführer Houstek plants himself in front of Lale Sokolov and asks what languages he speaks.

Language Interview from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Language Interview Oberscharführer Houstek plants himself in front of Lale Sokolov and asks what languages he speaks.

Language Interview Oberscharführer Houstek plants himself in front of Lale Sokolov and asks what languages he speaks. Lale answers with a list that includes German, Russian, French, and Hungarian, looking him in the eye. An Unwise Boldness Lale breaks the unwritten rule by raising his eyes. Houstek says only 'Humph' and walks away. Pepan's Correction Pepan lectures Lale about bravado and tells him never to raise his eyes above Houstek's boots. The conflict with authority begins with a lesson in submission.

Soccer Praise Soccer Praise from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Soccer Praise Oberscharführer Houstek watches the soccer match and, after the SS win, walks past Lale Sokolov and says, 'Well played, Tätowierer.' A Dangerous…

Soccer Praise from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Soccer Praise Oberscharführer Houstek watches the soccer match and, after the SS win, walks past Lale Sokolov and says, 'Well played, Tätowierer.' A Dangerous…

Soccer Praise Oberscharführer Houstek watches the soccer match and, after the SS win, walks past Lale Sokolov and says, 'Well played, Tätowierer.' A Dangerous Approval The praise marks Lale as competent in the eyes of the camp authority. It is better than suspicion, but it also makes him a symbol of the collaborating prisoner. The Next Step Houstek's approval is not trust. Lale knows that the Oberscharführer can turn on him in an instant.

Arrest in the Gypsy Camp Arrest in the Gypsy Camp from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Arrest in the Gypsy Camp Lale Sokolov returns to his room to find two SS officers standing over the gems and currency that the Canada girls have smuggled to…

Arrest in the Gypsy Camp from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Arrest in the Gypsy Camp Lale Sokolov returns to his room to find two SS officers standing over the gems and currency that the Canada girls have smuggled to…

Arrest in the Gypsy Camp Lale Sokolov returns to his room to find two SS officers standing over the gems and currency that the Canada girls have smuggled to him. His mattress has given up its secret. The Bag Emptied They snatch his bag, empty his tools onto the floor, and put the jewels in the bag. The Romany children step aside as he is marched away. The Cost of Privilege Lale's black-market operation has made him vulnerable. His privileged position cannot shield him once Houstek sees the evidence.

Interrogation Over Jewels Interrogation Over Jewels from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Interrogation Over Jewels Lale Sokolov stands before Oberscharführer Houstek while the contents of his bag are spread across the desk.

Interrogation Over Jewels from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Interrogation Over Jewels Lale Sokolov stands before Oberscharführer Houstek while the contents of his bag are spread across the desk.

Interrogation Over Jewels Lale Sokolov stands before Oberscharführer Houstek while the contents of his bag are spread across the desk. Houstek picks up each stone and demands to know where it came from. 'I Do Not Know Their Names' Lale says prisoners give him valuables but he never asks their names. The answer is flimsy, and Houstek's fist slams the desk. The Sentence Houstek orders Lale taken to Block 11, where he will 'soon remember the names there.' The interrogation is over; the torture is about to begin.

Return to Labor Return to Labor from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Return to Labor After Jakub's false beating, the SS drag Lale Sokolov back to Oberscharführer Houstek's office.

Return to Labor from "The Tattooist of Auschwitz". Return to Labor After Jakub's false beating, the SS drag Lale Sokolov back to Oberscharführer Houstek's office.

Return to Labor After Jakub's false beating, the SS drag Lale Sokolov back to Oberscharführer Houstek's office. Houstek says the officers got nothing out of him and returns him to Birkenau. A Dead Man Walking Lale is thrown into Block 31, the penal unit, and forced to carry rocks until the SS shoot the last man. He lives because he is not the slowest. The Intervention of Cilka Cilka asks Schwarzhuber to intervene, and Lale is restored to his old room. Houstek has lost his prize, but the threat of the Black Wall remains.

July 1942, the day Houstek inspects the new tattooist

spring 1943, after the prisoner–SS soccer match

June 1944, when SS officers find the hidden treasure

June 1944, in Houstek's office

July 10, 1944, after the SS release Lale from Block 11