Yanek is working as a tailor in Kraków when the Nazis kidnap him and send him to Plaszów, a labor camp that needs new workers. The camp is “a series of long, low buildings separated by dirt roads and surrounded by barbed wire” (64). Yanek’s clothes are taken away, and he’s given a prisoner’s uniform. He and the other prisoners all look alike in their uniforms except for specialized armbands that signify their background: Yanek and his fellow Jewish prisoners wear the Star of David on their armband, while gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others wear different colored bands.

Yanek is thrilled to see Uncle Moshe at the camp, but his uncle doesn’t return his excitement. That evening Uncle Moshe visits Yanek’s barrack to warn him to remain anonymous: remaining anonymous will keep him alive. Yanek realizes the truth in Uncle Moshe’s words during roll call. The man beside him is suddenly killed by a Nazi soldier’s dog for no reason.

Amon Goeth is a Nazi guard who enjoys murdering the prisoners for fun. Yanek and the other prisoners keep count of how many prisoners Amon kills each day. He tries to steer clear of Amon by working in the tailor shop, but that job soon ends.