Jean Améry, an Austrian philosopher, endured brutal torture by the Gestapo due to his involvement with the Belgian resistance, ultimately being sent to Auschwitz as a Jew. He expressed a haunting perspective on the lasting impact of torture, stating that those who have experienced such inhumanity are forever changed. Their sense of safety and trust in the world is irrevocably shattered, creating a profound sense of unease that persists long after the trauma has ended.

In Chaim Potok's "The Gift of Asher Lev," Améry's insights highlight the deep psychological scars inflicted by torture, suggesting that the trauma leaves individuals in a state of perpetual discomfort. Faith in humanity is broken beyond repair, indicating that the emotional and psychological ramifications of such experiences are significant and enduring, affecting one's ability to engage with the world openly and trustingly.