526
PETER WEISS
Each of the 18 accused, on the other hand, represents a single
and distinct figure. They bear names taken from the record of the
actual trial. The fact that they bear their own names is significant,
since they also did so during the time of the events under considera–
tion, while the prisoners had lost their names.
Yet the bearers of these names should not
be
accused once again
in this drama.
To the author, they have lent their names which, within the dra–
ma, exist as symbols of a system that implicated in its guilt many
others who never appeared in court.
THE SONG OF THE CAMP
III
4TH WITNESS:
The more you managed to push down
whoever was under you
the more secure your own position was
I could see the whole face
of our Barrack-elder change
when she talked to a superior
She was cheerful and friendly then
and behind that you could feel her fear
Sometimes her supervisor
treated her like her best friend
and she enjoyed many privileges
But
if
the supervisor
