Meaning: This quote from Martha Gellhorn, a renowned journalist and war correspondent, provides a poignant and vivid description of the extreme conditions experienced by prisoners in the last camp they were confined in. Gellhorn's words capture the desperation and deprivation faced by the prisoners, as well as the harsh and inhumane treatment they endured at the hands of their captors.

The quote conveys the dire circumstances faced by the prisoners in the last camp. The mention of eating grass reflects the scarcity of food and resources in the camp. The fact that the authorities forbade them from pulling up the grass to eat suggests that the prisoners were reduced to such extreme measures of sustenance that even consuming grass became a necessity. This illustrates the level of deprivation and hunger experienced by the prisoners, painting a stark picture of their suffering.

Furthermore, Gellhorn describes how the prisoners were accustomed to having the fruits of their communal gardens stolen by the guards, indicating a pattern of exploitation and injustice. This reveals a systemic abuse of power, where the prisoners were forced to toil in their gardens only to have the fruits of their labor taken from them. This exploitation underscores the power dynamics at play in the camp, where the guards wielded authority and control over the prisoners, perpetuating a cycle of oppression and theft.

The quote culminates with the chilling observation that in the last camp, "everything was stolen." This final statement encapsulates the profound sense of hopelessness and helplessness experienced by the prisoners. It suggests that in the final camp, the prisoners were stripped of even the meager possessions and resources they had managed to hold onto in previous camps. This all-encompassing theft signifies a complete disregard for the humanity and dignity of the prisoners, leaving them utterly destitute and at the mercy of their oppressors.

Martha Gellhorn's firsthand reporting and powerful prose shed light on the dehumanizing conditions faced by prisoners in the last camp, serving as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed in such settings. Her words bring to the forefront the resilience and endurance of those who faced such extreme suffering, while also condemning the injustices and abuses perpetrated by those in positions of power.

Gellhorn's quote serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity, as well as a searing indictment of the systemic cruelty and exploitation that defined the prisoners' experiences. It stands as a stark reminder of the enduring importance of bearing witness to such atrocities and speaking out against the injustices inflicted upon the vulnerable and marginalized.