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Elie Wiesel's Night

Decent Essays

Reflection Paper on Night by Elie Wiesel In this essay, I will analyze the book Night by Elie Wiesel, a memoir about his experiences during the Holocaust. Night is a firsthand account of Wiesel's heartbreaking journey through multiple Nazi forced labor camps, where he struggled to maintain his faith, preserve his humanity, and stay connected to his father. Firstly, Wiesel chose to write Night for several compelling reasons. Firstly, he felt a profound responsibility to give meaning to his survival, recognizing himself as one of the few who had the privilege to survive. (viii) Additionally, he aimed to ensure that the tragedies of the Holocaust would not be forgotten, understanding that forgetting would grant a final victory to those who inflicted unimaginable suffering. (viii) Finally, Wiesel believed that only a firsthand account could convey the full …show more content…

ix. Now, I’ll dive into the four main themes of Night: dehumanization/brutality, compassion/kindness, hope/faith, and darkness/night. Dehumanization and brutality are substantial themes throughout the memoir, illustrated when the Jews are crammed into cattle cars for transport, stripped of their dignity and dehumanized. (6) While scenes of compassion and kindness are rare in such a sad book, one example is the doctor's act of generosity in providing Elie with extra food while in the hospital. (78-80) The themes of hope and faith are largely intertwined, with prisoners clinging to the belief that God will help them even in the face of unspeakable horrors, such as witnessing the execution of the pipel who was a symbol of hope for them. (63-65) Finally, night and darkness symbolize not only the physical night but also the sense of despair and hopelessness that the prisoners feel, particularly as they witness the hangings of their fellow inmates. 61-65. Lastly, I will explore the transformation of Elie Wiesel throughout the memoir. Like many who went through similar

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