What age does Eliezer claim to be when he meets Dr. Mengele at Birkenau?

Eliezer claims to be 18 years old when he meets Dr. Mengele at Birkenau. This moment is significant as it highlights the desperation and fear that many individuals faced during the Holocaust, where they often had to lie about their ages to survive. Eliezer, being a Jewish teenager, understands that showing any sign of youth might threaten his chances of survival, as younger individuals were often targeted for extermination. By stating he is 18, he attempts to present himself as more capable and thus avoid the fate that befell many younger children. This specific age also reflects the common experience of many young men at that time who went through similar harrowing experiences during this dark chapter of history, emphasizing the struggle for survival in a traumatic environment.