Historical context and comedic elements often are perceived to be terms that do not usually go hand in hand when it comes to literary works. However, authors like Jonathan Safran Foer have attempted to seamlessly piece these concepts together through works like Everything is Illuminated, which combines the story of a young man who travels back to Ukraine in search of his ancestors with the history of the Holocaust. Writers who attempt to address or incorporate the Holocaust into their stories are faced with a divide between “the relatively comfortable Jewish American present” and “the dark European past” (Belham 56). Although some might criticize Foer for his usage of slapstick and comedy with such tragic events, the stark contrast of his dark …show more content…
Alex’s introduction of himself is exemplifies all of the above and then some by asserting “My legal name is Alexander Perchov” but my friends call me Alex because “that is a more flaccid-to utter version” (Foer 1). From the very beginning of the novel, Alex finds it difficult to see why a Jew would pay money to his dad’s business to travel from wonderful countries like “America to the Ukraine” and thinks that Jews had “shit between their brains” for doing so ( Foer 3). His choice of vocabulary and juxtaposition of words are key factors behind his comic in the novel. For instance, his substitution of the word bored with boring or his usage of the word “bitch” instead of dog. However his lack of exposure to different cultures and people is what truly brings out his blunt personality and allows readers to switch from gut wrenching humor to heart breaking sadness. A prime example of his naivety would be when Grandfather and Alex discover that Jonathan does not eat “meat” and considers him to be crazy rather than believe that he is a “vegetarian’ (Foer 65). While this is seemingly a hilarious conversation between the three, readers begin to see a strain in the relationship between Jonathan, Alex, and Grandfather. Especially when the waitress asks to see Jonathan’s horns after she finds out that he is Jewish from Alex, who calls Jonathan out for being Non-American because of his own personal egotistical problems. This exposes a divide between the Ukrainians and the Jews and their claims of superiority to one another which is still existent today in modern times. Jonathan’s interactions with those around him in Ukraine, just like the waitress, reveals the aftermath of Holocaust in regards to labeling Jews with titles and specific traits. These small actions create a bigger picture that can reflect the tension between other European countries
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is a novel filled with despair, death, aspirations, fear, and fearlessness. It revolves around WWII, in Nazi Germany, the concentration young camps for boy soldiers, and two teenagers who struggle throughout their period of life as well as the people around them. The main lynchpins of this book are Marie-Laure, and Werner, they go in and out of trials and tribulations as well as happiness. Terror is one of the most important things to a human because they are fearful. The citizens of Nazi Germany were in a constant state of unknowing, that’s the affect the War had, the fear of not knowing if their young boy is going to get sent to a concentration camp with Hitler. The citizens of Nazi Germany has been petrified when Hitler made his grand appearance, then the citizens warmed up to him.
The historical background of Elie Wiesel, the author of Night, is very significant. The author is an Auschwitz survivor. Night reflects the society and beliefs of its time. There are controversies about his work, that people should forget the holocaust. But, the novel is very important in the time it was written, because it was a time people when people did not believe in the holocaust. Elie Wiesel’s background is very critical, because it deals with not forgetting the Nazi’s genocide.
Often, the theme of a novel extends into a deeper significance than what is first apparent on the surface. In the novel Night by Elie Wiesel, the theme of night and darkness is prevalent throughout the story and is used as a primary tool to convey symbolism, foreshadowing, and the hopeless defeat felt by prisoners of Holocaust concentration camps. Religion, the various occurring crucial nights, and the many instances of foreshadowing and symbolism clearly demonstrate how the reoccurring theme of night permeates throughout the novel.
“The Holocaust was not only a Jewish tragedy but also a human tragedy,” (Wiesenthal). The Holocaust was all-around a dark patch in history. It was something that although it took a toll on lots of people throughout the world, and the Holocaust had the biggest impact for those being Jewish and living in Europe. There have been many films, movies, and books depicting life during the Holocaust. Night is a memoir written by Elie Wiesel, who was a victim of the Holocaust growing up as a Jewish boy and has as a result gone to numerous concentration camps. In Night, he describes a time period of his life which revolved around the Holocaust. Where his family, identity, and innocence were lost in a very cruel way. Elie Wiesel through his use of tone
In the book “night” written by Elie Wiesel, the reader is able to catch a glimpse of the holocaust and how it dangerously impacted not only the Jewish, but the whole world. Written for everyone and anyone, “Night” is an emotionally draining book designed to help the reader understand just how devastating the holocaust was.
Throughout human history, there has been many horrible and tragic moments involving famine, death and war. In that long line of history, there is however one moment that can’t be challenged to none other and that is World War 2: The rise of Nazi power and the slaughtering of many Jews. Many Jewish people suffered during those times and not many survived. Few of the people who did survive however, managed to write about their experiences and morals they had during World War 2, sharing their ideas to the world. A survivor and author of one of these books, Elie Wiesel, inscribed many of his morals and ideas in his writing using many literary terms such as tone, mood, characterization, diction, and even dialogue to portray them as themes in his
The chaos and destruction that the Nazi’s are causing are not changing the lives of only Jews, but also the lives of citizens in other countries. Between Night by Elie Wiesel and The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, comradeship, faith, strength, and people of visions are crucial to the survival of principle characters. Ironically, in both stories there is a foreseen future, that both seemed to be ignored.
Sherman Alexie illustrates a subtle sarcasm that is very consistent among his stories. He conveys many of the current social issues that seem to be constant among those of Indian heritage. His main characters all have very similar characteristics: very laid back and socially conscious. An important characteristic that his characters share is a sense of wit and cynicism which helps convey Alexie's ideals in many regards.
In Night, by Elie Wiesel, people face the Holocaust, this tragic time can be related to nighttime through the never ending time, darkness, and hope.
The Holocaust was a time of endless suffering, death, and despair. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, recalls his own journey during the most dreadful and devastating time of the century. Through this massive tragedy, Elie learns that humanity isn’t as beautiful as it seems. In his tragic memoir, Night, author Elie Wiesel demonstrates that no matter how hard we work for something it sometimes doesn’t pay off.
The holocaust was a very horrible experience for everyone that got discriminated against, especially the jews. A jew that survived the holocaust named Elie Wiesel wrote a book named “Night” about his life and time in the concentration camps. Throughout the story, he shows many character traits. Elie shows strong determination, loyalty and very religious. He changes drastically throughout the book.
“Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live,” from the thoughts of Eli Wiesel after his first night at camp (Wiesel 34). The Holocaust, lasting over ten years, not only did it seize the lives of millions, it disfigured the souls of corpses who survived. Gratefully some of these outlasts shared their stories to protect society’s future. In Night, Eli Wiesel uses foreshadowing, imagery and figurative language to illustrate the brutality aspect of humanity.
Holocaust survivor and author to the book “Night,” Elie Wiesel uses irony, metaphors and short syntax to show the readers the gloomy tone of how the Germans dehumanized the Jews and the torturing effect it had on them.
The Holocaust becomes the center of this. Whether it be at his Hebrew school, where Jewish history shaped not only the curriculum they learn. But, also as a collective identity shared by a new and contemporary Jewish generation. While still being connected to the past. This is a struggle for Mark, who does not even identify himself as Jewish for most of the story, He is continuously challenged with where to place himself in this new world, as a second-generation immigrant to Toronto. For Mark, being a young Latvian Jew is not easy.
However, youth like Alex cannot be caught in the expected rubric of life and hence, they retaliate. Nevertheless, one cannot justify Alex’s actions worth applauding but Burgess seems to favour their actions as the only possible outlet for suppressed angst. In the first act, fourth chapter, Alex says,