Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night....
Night is a book by Elie Wiesel about his experience with his father in the Nazi German concentration camps at Auschwitz and Buchenwald 1944-1945, at the height of the Holocaust and toward the end of the Second World War.
Plot
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Characterization
Eliezer (Elie)
- Protagonist; first-person narrator of the story, we get his personal account of the Holocaust through his words.
- Dynamic Character: He changes the most throughout the story. His mental health, his faith, and his ability to move on and put the past events behind him show this directly.
- Round Character: He enters the story encountering the conflicts of his faith and strength and is changed by it as it evolves into a worse setting.
- Static Character: Besides his work ethic, we really don't know a lot about him. As we read on, we know that his mental and physical strength decrease, which causes reaction from Elie.
- From the beginning of the book, this is Elie’s teacher of Judaism. Moshe is a poor Jew who lives in Sighet. As we know from the beginning of the book, the community takes Moshe for a lunatic.
- The officers, SS's, and Kapos play various roles in the book, other than to antagonize the prisoners, they were just there to play a supporting role to the main characters and the other prisoners.
Themes
- Eliezer’s Struggle to Maintain Faith in a Benevolent God
- Inhumanity Toward Other Humans
Motifs
- Elie begins mentioning the Talmud and his Jewish studies and prayer rituals.
- Shlomo’s Jewish storytelling symbolizes Jewish culture as a whole
Symbols
- Fire: Fire appears throughout Night as a symbol of the Nazis’ cruel power. On the way to Auschwitz-Birkenau, Madame Schachter screams the viewings of fire, which kind of foreshadows in a way what is to come. Elie also sees the Nazis burning babies in a ditch. Most important, fire is the agent of destruction in the crematoria, where many meet their death at the hands of the Nazis.
- Night: The Bible begins with God’s creation of the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:2, NIV). His first act is to create light and dispel this darkness. Darkness and night therefore symbolize a world without God’s presence.
- Silence: Silence is found throughout the book because it is a time for reflection. When Elie reflects on the past events, there is silence. When the children were hung, there was silence. Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live.
Section 1
Words such as He, Him, You and God are capitalized for references to Christianity. Capitalization of these words are proper for this work.
P: From what I can predict about this book, I think it will almost be parallel to The Anne Frank Diary. I know a little about this topic, but not much. I am eager to continue the introduction at this point.
I: As I read, I am picturing what is happening to be a lot like the (now defunct) FOX Reality TV show, The Academy. I'm talking about the parts where the Drill Instructors are screaming at the candidates, just as the officers in the book are screaming at all the Jews.
C: There is a lot of vocabulary I am unfamiliar with. Can we clarify what the ghetto is? I think I have a pretty good idea on what it is.
T: I should try praying as soon as I wake up, knowing or not knowing if something bad is going to happen.
U: I don't think there is anything to use from this section, I still feel kind of skeptical about this book.
R: In this section, we meet the main characters, Elie, his three sisters, and parents. From this section, we know that they take their religion very seriously. We learn who Moche is and how is trying to explain to them that the Hungarians were expelling all the foreign Jews, but nobody would take him seriously, they kind of disregarded him. Later, about three years later reality sets in and they stand misirbly in the ghetto, and are put on trains to Auschwitz.
E: So far, I am still kind of skeptical on whether or not I am fully comprehending what is happening. It looks a lot like the Anne Frank Diary at this point, the same first person perspective reminds me of it.
P: From what I can predict about this book, I think it will almost be parallel to The Anne Frank Diary. I know a little about this topic, but not much. I am eager to continue the introduction at this point.
I: As I read, I am picturing what is happening to be a lot like the (now defunct) FOX Reality TV show, The Academy. I'm talking about the parts where the Drill Instructors are screaming at the candidates, just as the officers in the book are screaming at all the Jews.
C: There is a lot of vocabulary I am unfamiliar with. Can we clarify what the ghetto is? I think I have a pretty good idea on what it is.
T: I should try praying as soon as I wake up, knowing or not knowing if something bad is going to happen.
U: I don't think there is anything to use from this section, I still feel kind of skeptical about this book.
R: In this section, we meet the main characters, Elie, his three sisters, and parents. From this section, we know that they take their religion very seriously. We learn who Moche is and how is trying to explain to them that the Hungarians were expelling all the foreign Jews, but nobody would take him seriously, they kind of disregarded him. Later, about three years later reality sets in and they stand misirbly in the ghetto, and are put on trains to Auschwitz.
E: So far, I am still kind of skeptical on whether or not I am fully comprehending what is happening. It looks a lot like the Anne Frank Diary at this point, the same first person perspective reminds me of it.
Section 2
P: I have no idea what to expect, I can only think of how the events were layed out in the Anne Frank Diary. I will continue reading at this point.
I: Although it is hard to, I am imagining complete hell on this train. Both physically and mentally.
C: I would like to have clarified why Madame Schachter just doesn't get it that she shouldn't have kept screaming in the panic sense she did.
T: There is nothing I want to try from this section. It is all too serious to be messing around.
U: I'm presuming that the electric torches they were using are similar to cattle prods?
R: We know they are on the train still. When they get off at Birkenau, which is the exchange point for Auschwitz, and they about to undergo the same excruciating processes that Anne Frank had to.
E: In this short section, I feel that this is where things start to get serious, even though I can tell that is has only begun. So far, so good, I'll keep reading.
I: Although it is hard to, I am imagining complete hell on this train. Both physically and mentally.
C: I would like to have clarified why Madame Schachter just doesn't get it that she shouldn't have kept screaming in the panic sense she did.
T: There is nothing I want to try from this section. It is all too serious to be messing around.
U: I'm presuming that the electric torches they were using are similar to cattle prods?
R: We know they are on the train still. When they get off at Birkenau, which is the exchange point for Auschwitz, and they about to undergo the same excruciating processes that Anne Frank had to.
E: In this short section, I feel that this is where things start to get serious, even though I can tell that is has only begun. So far, so good, I'll keep reading.
Section 3
P: I can predict that they will continue to go through the intro to Auschwitz. I still think the SS officers are crazy, but am having trouble generating ideas on what is to come.
I: There is so much going on in my head at this point, I don't know what to think. I got really teary-eyed when I read that his father didn't want to see the burning of his only son and imagined something I rendered in my head to look emulate a sad and dramatic scene from a movie, It's hard to explain, but it touched me.
C: I first start to see where Elie is starting to struggle with his faith. He mentions What had I to thank Him for? My question is, why loose complete this early?
T: I feel that I take silence away from this section, I find that I use silence when I think best, even while reading. More or less, I understand how silence is symbolic in this section.
U: Basic symbolism: "The flames consumed my faith forever" and "The nocturnal silence deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live." I use this because he was in disbelief that He would let this happen. There are some things that I am in disbelief that God would let happen, but I certainly don't loose all faith that very second.
R: Despite all that they have seen, the prisoners continue to express their faith in God and trust in divine redemption. Finally, they are escorted on a four-hour walk from Auschwitz to Buna, the work camp in which they will be interned for months. Everyone there is stripped and shaved, disinfected with gasoline, showered, and clothed in prison uniforms. They get lectured by Nazi officers, told that they either work or it's the crematorium. When Elie’s father asks to use bathroom, he is beaten by the Kapo. The bell is symbolic because it is it meant it was time to disperse and eat, so it was something they were looking forward to.
E: I found that sign to be deceiving. Was there any place where they were not in danger of death? As bad as things are right now, the book still is trying to tell the story, so I will read on.
I: There is so much going on in my head at this point, I don't know what to think. I got really teary-eyed when I read that his father didn't want to see the burning of his only son and imagined something I rendered in my head to look emulate a sad and dramatic scene from a movie, It's hard to explain, but it touched me.
C: I first start to see where Elie is starting to struggle with his faith. He mentions What had I to thank Him for? My question is, why loose complete this early?
T: I feel that I take silence away from this section, I find that I use silence when I think best, even while reading. More or less, I understand how silence is symbolic in this section.
U: Basic symbolism: "The flames consumed my faith forever" and "The nocturnal silence deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live." I use this because he was in disbelief that He would let this happen. There are some things that I am in disbelief that God would let happen, but I certainly don't loose all faith that very second.
R: Despite all that they have seen, the prisoners continue to express their faith in God and trust in divine redemption. Finally, they are escorted on a four-hour walk from Auschwitz to Buna, the work camp in which they will be interned for months. Everyone there is stripped and shaved, disinfected with gasoline, showered, and clothed in prison uniforms. They get lectured by Nazi officers, told that they either work or it's the crematorium. When Elie’s father asks to use bathroom, he is beaten by the Kapo. The bell is symbolic because it is it meant it was time to disperse and eat, so it was something they were looking forward to.
E: I found that sign to be deceiving. Was there any place where they were not in danger of death? As bad as things are right now, the book still is trying to tell the story, so I will read on.
Section 4
P: The last thing I remember from Section 3 is that Elie and his father were going on the next transport to another camp? I'm lost at this and don't know what to expect at this point, I'll read on.
I: I imagine just fear of the doctor when Elie is sent to the dentist to have his gold crowns removed. I have always been afraid of the doctor, so I can relate, as I thought of my experiences of the doctor's office.
C: Why is Elie mad at his father? I realized after reading more: For not defending himself when he was fully capable of doing so.
T: I should try eavesdropping more often! I'd probably see more things I shouldn't, like Elie did when he blew his cover while watching Idek.
U: There is so much negative drama happening, there isn't anything to use from this section.
R: Elie was chosen to serve in a unit of prisoners which he counted electrical stuff. His father and him get in Buna, Elie is sent to the dentist to have the gold in his teeth pulled. He says that he isn't feeling well, so he postponed having the gold removed. Later the dentist is hung for illegally trading in the gold teeth. He questions more of his faith, He becomes angry with his father after he is beaten by Idek and doesn't fight or react back.
E: I wouldn't have been so mean to myself or my father if that happened, but I understand his frustration. As depressing as things are getting, I'm eager to read on.
I: I imagine just fear of the doctor when Elie is sent to the dentist to have his gold crowns removed. I have always been afraid of the doctor, so I can relate, as I thought of my experiences of the doctor's office.
C: Why is Elie mad at his father? I realized after reading more: For not defending himself when he was fully capable of doing so.
T: I should try eavesdropping more often! I'd probably see more things I shouldn't, like Elie did when he blew his cover while watching Idek.
U: There is so much negative drama happening, there isn't anything to use from this section.
R: Elie was chosen to serve in a unit of prisoners which he counted electrical stuff. His father and him get in Buna, Elie is sent to the dentist to have the gold in his teeth pulled. He says that he isn't feeling well, so he postponed having the gold removed. Later the dentist is hung for illegally trading in the gold teeth. He questions more of his faith, He becomes angry with his father after he is beaten by Idek and doesn't fight or react back.
E: I wouldn't have been so mean to myself or my father if that happened, but I understand his frustration. As depressing as things are getting, I'm eager to read on.
Section 5
P: I think that in this section, Elie will continue to consider his faith, and maybe even completely loose all hope.
I: I don't imagine anything that is easy to explain in this section. It's hard to explain the part where they are told to run during the Selection administered by the SS Doctors. When father gives Elie his knife, He truly thought he would need it more than he would. My heart sank when it read, "The inheritance." Elie's foot starts to swell, so the doctor extracts the liquid from it. After the war, Elie learns that they made the wrong choice. The Jews who remained in the infirmary were freed by the Russians.
C: I'm still unclear why they have to undergo selection... I understand this from the beginning of the book, but what's the point?
T: Again, nothing to try. Other prisoners are still questioning their faith, that is nothing I wish to do.
U: Don't stop believing.
E: I don't agree with myself on what to think. How would they have known to stay or not in the infirmary? The snow seems relentless, I don't want to keep reading. but I sense hope.
I: I don't imagine anything that is easy to explain in this section. It's hard to explain the part where they are told to run during the Selection administered by the SS Doctors. When father gives Elie his knife, He truly thought he would need it more than he would. My heart sank when it read, "The inheritance." Elie's foot starts to swell, so the doctor extracts the liquid from it. After the war, Elie learns that they made the wrong choice. The Jews who remained in the infirmary were freed by the Russians.
C: I'm still unclear why they have to undergo selection... I understand this from the beginning of the book, but what's the point?
T: Again, nothing to try. Other prisoners are still questioning their faith, that is nothing I wish to do.
U: Don't stop believing.
E: I don't agree with myself on what to think. How would they have known to stay or not in the infirmary? The snow seems relentless, I don't want to keep reading. but I sense hope.
Section 6
P: I have a feeling that hell will break loose.
I: As the section opens up, I can imagine just a dark, bloody-winter wonderland.
C: Nothing to clarify at this point.
T: I should try to put others before me, just as Elie put his father's need of sleep before his. He showed that he was concerned.
U: I wish I could find more positive use of the snow, maybe with more courage.
R: This section is where I feel that Elie is most concerned about his father because falling asleep in the cold would have been deadly. Forbidden to move or even sit down, in the blistering cold! Oh my.
E: The book gets more dramatic as it progresses, I won't stop here!
I: As the section opens up, I can imagine just a dark, bloody-winter wonderland.
C: Nothing to clarify at this point.
T: I should try to put others before me, just as Elie put his father's need of sleep before his. He showed that he was concerned.
U: I wish I could find more positive use of the snow, maybe with more courage.
R: This section is where I feel that Elie is most concerned about his father because falling asleep in the cold would have been deadly. Forbidden to move or even sit down, in the blistering cold! Oh my.
E: The book gets more dramatic as it progresses, I won't stop here!
Section 7
P: I'm not a meteorologist, but I predict even more miserable snow conditions for them.
I: I imagine fear in Elie's voice in the wagon when father doesn't respond to him calling. He says
C: Why do people think its cool to throw food at these miserable people?
T: Can't try anything from this section.
U: Nope.
R: They are herded into the cars and ordered to throw out anyone dead. Father was almost mistaken for dead and was almost thrown from the car, but he succeeds in waking him. The train travels for ten days and nights. They don't eat anything the entire way they pass through German towns. Locals throw bread to enjoy watching the Jews kill each other for the food. We change time and move into an experience Elie has after the Holocaust. Two of the desperately poor boys try to kill each other over one of the coins
E: I feel bad, and got choked up a little, when father was unresponsive, but was only cold. Elie needed him to be awake and alert so he wouldn't get thrown out of the wagon. Then, with the man dying in the wagon leading others to cry (considering the conditions) was heart breaking. With that being said, I have mixed emotions.
I: I imagine fear in Elie's voice in the wagon when father doesn't respond to him calling. He says
C: Why do people think its cool to throw food at these miserable people?
T: Can't try anything from this section.
U: Nope.
R: They are herded into the cars and ordered to throw out anyone dead. Father was almost mistaken for dead and was almost thrown from the car, but he succeeds in waking him. The train travels for ten days and nights. They don't eat anything the entire way they pass through German towns. Locals throw bread to enjoy watching the Jews kill each other for the food. We change time and move into an experience Elie has after the Holocaust. Two of the desperately poor boys try to kill each other over one of the coins
E: I feel bad, and got choked up a little, when father was unresponsive, but was only cold. Elie needed him to be awake and alert so he wouldn't get thrown out of the wagon. Then, with the man dying in the wagon leading others to cry (considering the conditions) was heart breaking. With that being said, I have mixed emotions.
Section 8
P: The last sentence says that they arrive at Buchenwald. I can predict that it's hell all over with the intro/initiation processes as we've seen before. Other than that, I'm scared, but curious to keep reading.
I: I don't like to imagine about people dying, so I won't write on this one.
C: Why don't the guards care about the order about people getting into the showers?
T: I should be more considerate of others, put myself before others, just as Elie did when he gave his ration of soup to his father because they wouldn't give any soup to the "dying." Then things got worse. The officer killed his father. I stopped.
R: The prisoners steal father's food and beat him. Elie, unable to resist his father’s cries for help, gives him water. The next time the SS patrols the barracks, Elie father again cried for water, and the SS officer, screamed at father to shut up, beat him in the head with his truncheon, which led him to die during the night. Elie is ashamed, but content at the same time?
E: I'm done dealing with death scenarios, I've dealt with a lot over the past month, I'd rather not discuss it.
I: I don't like to imagine about people dying, so I won't write on this one.
C: Why don't the guards care about the order about people getting into the showers?
T: I should be more considerate of others, put myself before others, just as Elie did when he gave his ration of soup to his father because they wouldn't give any soup to the "dying." Then things got worse. The officer killed his father. I stopped.
R: The prisoners steal father's food and beat him. Elie, unable to resist his father’s cries for help, gives him water. The next time the SS patrols the barracks, Elie father again cried for water, and the SS officer, screamed at father to shut up, beat him in the head with his truncheon, which led him to die during the night. Elie is ashamed, but content at the same time?
E: I'm done dealing with death scenarios, I've dealt with a lot over the past month, I'd rather not discuss it.
Section 9
P: I predict that Elie will move on with his life, but not forgetting his father.
I: I imaging a sad before/after picture when Elie is describing himself in front of the mirror. Sad.
C: Why did they wait to evacuate the prisoners?
T: I should probably stop being so wasteful of the food I eat, understanding not being able to eat for 6 days is a little on the extreme, I'll be more careful next time.
U: Nothing to use from this.
R: Elie remains in Buchenwald, On April 5, the American army approached, and the Nazis decide to annihilate all the Jews left in the camp. Daily, thousands of Jews are murdered. On April 10, with about 20,000 people remaining in the camp, the Nazis decide to evacuate and kill everyone left in the camp. On April 11, the American army arrives at Buchenwald. Now free, the prisoners think only of feeding themselves. Elie is struck with food poisoning and spends weeks in the hospital, deathly ill. When he finally raises himself and looks in the mirror he has not seen himself in a mirror since leaving Sighet he is shocked:
I: I imaging a sad before/after picture when Elie is describing himself in front of the mirror. Sad.
C: Why did they wait to evacuate the prisoners?
T: I should probably stop being so wasteful of the food I eat, understanding not being able to eat for 6 days is a little on the extreme, I'll be more careful next time.
U: Nothing to use from this.
R: Elie remains in Buchenwald, On April 5, the American army approached, and the Nazis decide to annihilate all the Jews left in the camp. Daily, thousands of Jews are murdered. On April 10, with about 20,000 people remaining in the camp, the Nazis decide to evacuate and kill everyone left in the camp. On April 11, the American army arrives at Buchenwald. Now free, the prisoners think only of feeding themselves. Elie is struck with food poisoning and spends weeks in the hospital, deathly ill. When he finally raises himself and looks in the mirror he has not seen himself in a mirror since leaving Sighet he is shocked: