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How Does Elie Wiesel Use Metaphors In Night

Decent Essays

Writing Task One In the memoir Night by Elie Wiesel uses metaphors to demonstrate that dehumanization ultimately causes emotional, mental and physical traumas. In chapter four, Elie uses metaphors to demonstrate emotional detachment from others by using connotative and figurative language. For example, when seeing someone being hanged the witnesses acted emotionally detached: “These withered bodies had long forgotten the bitter taste of tears” (Wiesel, 63). This quotation demonstrates, that the “withered bodies” represent what they are morally and physically. They make decisions that are selfish and only benefiting themselves; they are missing the necessities of sustaining life: shelter, food, and water; In addition, they have have lost their faith in a better future or for someone to save them. The “bitter taste” could be because of what they eat having no appealing qualities; “forgotten the bitter taste” could be referring to their emotional state being static, without good or bad …show more content…

For example, how the dehumanization has turned them into animals when they are starved: “Men were hurling themselves against each other, trampling, tearing at and mauling each other. Beast of prey unleashed, animal hate in their eyes. An extraordinary vitality possessed them, sharpening their teeth and nails”(Wiesel, 101). This quotation demonstrates, the lengths they will go to get food, which is often related to triviality in modern society. The way they have no care for others safety shows their lose of human interactions and their relationships with others. The use of phrases like “mauling” and “animal hate” is often used in relation to dehumanization of someone by associating them to animal like behaviors they become animal-like. In conclusion, the victims of dehumanization have lost their mental stability, relationships with others, and have become

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