How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
We also know that not even this tenuous principle of discrimination between fit and unfit was always followed, and that later the simpler method was often adopted of merely opening both the doors of the wagon without warning or instructions to the new arrivals. Those who by chance climbed down on one side of the convoy entered the camp; the others went to the gas chamber. (1.30)
If things operated logically, the "fit" prisoners wouldn't be killed when they arrived at the camp; they would be put to work. Not here, though. A much more arbitrary system is used—one dictated by blind chance.
Quote #2
We looked at each other without a word. It was all incomprehensible and mad, but one thing we had understood. This was the metamorphosis that awaited us. Tomorrow we would be like them. (1.34)
Primo has just seen the exhausted prisoners marching into the roll-call square in time to the orchestral music. Since he's new to the Lager, this looks ridiculous and makes absolutely no sense. On one level, though, he understands that he will become one of these "puppets."
Quote #3
We have a terrible thirst. The weak gurgle of the water in the radiators makes us ferocious; we have had nothing to drink for four days. But there is also a tap—and above it a card which says that it is forbidden to drink as the water is dirty. Nonsense. It seems obvious that the card is a joke, "they" know that we are dying of thirst and they put us in a room, and there is a tap, and Wassertrinken Verboten. I drink and I incite my companions to do likewise, but I have to spit it out, the water is tepid and sweetish, with the smell of a swamp. (2.2)
It's almost like Primo is going through a very methodical exercise in logic. He's thirsty, and there's water here, so he will drink and ignore the illogical sign. Okay—so this doesn't shake out into a neat syllogism, but still, the guy's trying to apply reason to an inherently unreasonable situation. To Primo, it is utterly ridiculous for thirsty prisoners to be cooped up with what appears to him a perfectly good water tap, and be told by a sign that it's forbidden to drink.