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//NIGHT// PREREADING ACTIVITY

Imagine yourself in the following situation: You and your family have been driven from your home. Now separated from them, you are suddenly alone. Shoved into a train like cattle, you are surrounded by screaming women, weeping children, silent old men, and ruthless soldiers. There is no food, no water, horror, and madness everywhere. Having arrived at your destination, you smell the stench of burning flesh: babies, children like yourself. Men and boys are hanged daily. There is only soup and perhaps a few morsels of stale bread to eat. You work until exhausted and are beaten for not marching in step. The gold in your teeth is extracted without anesthesia. Frozen and broken bodies surround you. Weekly you must run like a madman to escape being selected to die in the gas chambers or to burn in the crematory. You can’t even wonder if it will end, and you know that God has deserted you. You try to survive each day and lie through each night!

1. Do you believe something like this could ever happen to you? Why or why not?

2. What would be your first reaction to this horrifying experience?

3. What means might you use to deal with what is happening (example: would you lie, cheat, steal)?

4. Do you think it would be better to give up and die or try to survive?

5. Inhumanity means being inhumanly cruel and brutal. Do you think the world could ever allow this kind of inhumanity to happen again?

6. What kind of punishment do you feel would be suitable for this kind of inhumanity?

7. Do you think this kind of inhumanity could exist in our day and age?

Reading Guide

The following questions are thought questions that relate to various themes and ideas in the reading. Use these questions to guide your reading and better understanding of the novel. Be prepared to share your responses in class discussion or in a writing assignment. Please answer all questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES.

__Chapter 1, pages 1-22__ 1. Why does Eliezer pray and why does he cry when he prays?
 * Eliezer does not know why he cries while he prays. Whenever Elie prays, he cries even tough he doesn’t know why I think it is because he is having a close connection with God and wants to show that. He cries because he wants God to answer the questions he has to have answered. The reason that Elie prays is that he is Jewish, and everyone around him prays, his parents and his friends. He feels the need to pray when he is supposed to.**

2. Why don’t people believe Moche’s stores? 3. Site examples of how the Jews gradually lose their freedom. **There are many examples of how the Jews gradually lose their freedom. One example is that when the Hungarian Police took away all of the Foreign Jews and the Gestapo went on by making them dig their graves and shooting at them. Another example is when the Jews were forced to live in Ghetto’s that made them in a few houses so they could be monitored easily. One more example is when the Jews were forced into cattle cars and brought away. In all of these examples, the Jews of Sighet gradually lose their freedom**. __Chapter 2, pages 23-28__ 4. What does Madam Shachter’s nightmares about a fire foreshadow? Madame Shachter’s nightmares about the fire foreshadow the Jews arriving in Autchiwitz. The fire though represents the crematorium and how the Germans took the dead bodies and burned them. When the Jews got there, they could smell the burning bodies and they could see the smoke and the fires raging from the crematorium. 5. Where does the train finally stop? The train finally stops and arrives at Auchiwitz. The part of it they arrived at was Birkeneau, Birkeneau is the death camp at Auchiwitz. This site is where millions of Jews were killed and Auchivitz has three main camps. Auchiwitz 1, Buna, and the death camp Birkeneau. __Chapter 3, pages 29-46__ 6. When questioned by the SS officer, why does Elie lie about his occupation and age?
 * People don’t believe Moshe’s ‘stories’ because he is a foreigner and people don’t look at him as the brightest person. The people of Sighet think that Moshe the Beadle is just a crazy person that is telling them stories. If they had listened to him, then they would have a better idea of what was to come.**

just worthless. I think that Elie made a great decision to lie because if he didn't only the worst would happen.**
 * When questioned by the SS officer Elie lies about his age and occupation so he would not be killed. If he said that he was 15 and that he was a student, then they would declare that he is too young and he is

7. Why does Elie disbelieve what his own eyes show him?


 * Elie disbelieves what his eyes show him because what he sees is so evil that he thinks that it is impossible to happen. Because Elie is so religious to God he is in denial about this happening. When he saw the babies and children thrown into pits, he was disgusted at what he saw. If I was was in this situation I would be in disbelief.**

8. Why is Elie now reluctant to pray?

angel of death. Elie was thinking about killing himself and he didn't want to pray to a God that would let this madness occur.** __Chapter 4, pages 47-65__ 9. Why is Elie summoned to the dentist?
 * Elie is now reluctant to pray because he thought that God was not protecting him. When they were walking toward the pit, Elie thought he was facing the

10. How does Elie react to his father’s beating?
 * Elie is summoned to the dentist because he has a gold crown. The Nazis did not let the Jews carry any valuable items or they would take them away, if the Jew refused they would be killed. This is why Elie is summoned to the dentist.**

11. Why is the hanging of the “sad eyed angel” said to be one of the most profoundly moving events in the novel?
 * When Elie's father is being beaten by Idek the Kapo, Elie did not react and stood still. There are two parts to me if I was in this situation. One is saying to help him and attack the Kapo because I love him. The other side is saying to not do anything because I don't want to be killed. Elie didn't do anything because he was in shock.**

__Chapter 5, pages 66-84__ 12. What is selection?
 * The hanging of the sad eyed angel is a moving event in this novel because the sad eyed angel is a kid. The fact that he is a kid is such a big deal that the //Lagerkapo who does the hangings refused to do it. Elie and all of the Jews felt very bad for the young boy.//**
 * Selection is when all of the prisoners are taken outside and examined by SS officers or, for Elie, Dr. Mengele. The people that are chose would then go to Birkeneau and are killed in the crematorium. In Night, ten prisoners in Elie's block are taken away in tears and killed in Birkeneau. In Night, Elie's Father, Shlomo is not selected, but his number is called out loud to stay in camp and not work. Shlomo then in the second selection, is chosen to stay in camp and live.**

__Chapter 6, pages 85-97__ 13. Why couldn’t Elie allow himself to die?

14. Why does Juliek play the violin?
 * Elie couldn't allow himself to die because he couldn't leave his Father. Elie's Father is very important to Elie and he wouldn't leave him for the world. This is why Elie wouldn't allow himself to die.**

15. Compare how the other boys treat their fathers with Eliezer’s treatment of his own father.
 * Juliek plays the violin to cope with all of the death and struggle going on. While Juliek was playing, he was also slowly dying. After the long journey, many people were dying and Juliek wanted to play.**

__Chapter 7-9 pages 98-115__ 16. Why can’t Elizer weep at his father’s death?
 * The way most boys at the various camps treat their Fathers is not very good. What they do is abandon them if they are old or sick and steal from them. The way Elie treats his Father is with respect and looking out for him when he is old. Elie is very good to his Father.**

17. When he is finally free, Elie wishes to see himself in the mirror. Why can’t he ever forget the look in the eyes of the corpse that gazes back at him?
 * Elizer cannot weep at his Father's death because he has no tears left. They had been through so, so much together and Elie has no tears left to cry at this death. Elie had too much to cry at already on his long, horrible journey. He was in to much shock. That is why he cannot weep at his Father's death.**

Literary Analysis Characterization/Author’s Purpose After page: 34
 * He can't ever forget the look in the eyes of the corpse because the look was so awful. Since physically and emotionally, Elie had been through a lot, the look of the corpse was so terrible that Elie can never forget the look the corpse gave him.**

Elie is a Jewish child who is extremely strong in his faith. He often spent nights in the synagogue weeping and praying. He was preparing himself to be initiating into “eternity.” Then came night.

Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky. Never shall I forget those flames, which consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments, which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never.

Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. What does “night’ symbolize to Elie? Why do you think he selected it as the title of his memoir?

2. What fires does he speak of that consumed his faith forever? Why do these fires consume his faith?
 * Night used to symbolize studying Kabalah to Elie, but now it means suffering. Night is the first night at Birkeneau, which was torture and disgust to Elie. I think that Elie named this book Night because night meant bad things for him and he wanted to symbolize that.**

3. Do you find it difficult to believe that a boy so devout in his faith could lose his faith? Why?
 * The fires that Elie speaks of that consumed his faith forever are the fires that were burning innocent bodies. These fires consume his faith because he is starting to think that God is bad and responsible for this. This is why the fires consumed his faith for God**.

4. Why does he lose his desire to live?
 * No, I don't find it difficult to find that Elie could lose his faith. This is so because what was happening to the Jews was evil and he was mad at God for letting all of this happen to them. If I was in this situation, I would be the same because what was happening was just so evil**.

5. Elie spoke these words as an adolescent. Do you think that as an adult his feelings have changed? Why?
 * Elie loses all his desire to live because he doesn't want to die slowly in the flames, he wants to end the misery and run into the electronic fence that would kill him. He thought that the Nazis were going to put them into he pit and kill him. I would not want this to happen to me either.**

I **think that Elie's feelings have changed now because he is older, more mature, and understands what was happening. If Elie was in that situation now he would have been different and thought positive that it would be okay and he would not die.** 6. Why do you suppose Elie wrote this novel?


 * I suppose that Elie wrote this novel to share his sad, scary story through hard times with people so they could understand. Elie wants people to understand his story and what he went through. It must have been hard to write this story, I give him credit for that courage.**

Literary Analysis: Characterization

Elie explicitly recounts events that describe his relationship with his father during imprisonment in the camps. He also describes events in the relationships of other fathers and sons in the camps.

In your book there are many examples of father-son relationships. Give examples, including the page number of a father son relationship and tell what you think about that relationship, tell why you might or might not have acted in a similar way. This does not have to be done on Elie and his father. There are many other examples of father-son relationships as well. An example has been done for you.

Example: Page 39:

Relationship shown: Elie’s father is struck, but Elie does not move to help him. His father whispers that the blow does not hurt. Although Elie does not move, he feels remorse and hatred toward the gypsy. He is angry and unforgiving.

What I think: Elie is a child and probably fears that if he helps his father, he too will be beaten. His father does not blame him and does not want to see him beaten or do something he might regret; thus, he tells Elie that the blow des not hurt.

I would’ve done: This seems to be a relationship where the father is protective of the son who is young and frightened. I would have acted in the same way if I were the father, thinking that I need to protect my child.

1. Page 43-44

Relationship shown: and he lies about Stein's family being okay so he doesn't embarrass his Dad.**
 * Elie's Father does not recognize Stein, their relative. Elie does recognize him

What I think: he was wrong by lying to Stein who was sad to find out the real news.**
 * I think that Elie was good my not embarrassing his Father, but at the same time

I would’ve done: lie to Stein and break his heart later on.** 2. Page 49-50
 * If I was in this situation I would speak up to not embarrass my Dad but not

Relationship shown: next to his Father and luckily Franek agrees.**
 * Franek shows Elie where he is going to work and Elie asks if he could work

What I think: to work next to him so he could be with his Dad.**
 * I think that Elie is scared of being separated from his Dad in Buna and wants

I would’ve done: to be separated from by Father at a work camp.**
 * I would've done the same exact thing that Elie did because I would not want

3. Page 55-56

Relationship shown: in step, so Elie had to try to teach him how to do it.**
 * Elie's Father had never been in the Military, so he did not know how to march

What I think: was laughing and it was very kind of Elie to do that.**
 * I think that Elie was courageous by doing this and helping his Father because everyone

I would’ve done: in step, the Nazis were so strict, that they would have killed him.**
 * I would've done the same thing that Elie did because if his Father did not march

4. Page 90-91

Relationship shown: running in the snow his son abandoned him.** What I think: that he will die if he stays with him, which is very selfish.** I would’ve done: but also think about my Father.** 5. Page 101
 * Rabbi Eliahu is very close with his son and is very old, but when the Jews were
 * I think that Rabbi Eliahu's son was thinking that his Father is getting to old and
 * I would've stayed with my Father on the run and not just think about myself,

Relationship shown: and killed his Father for it, then the son was killed for the bread.** What I think: and forgot that he had to care for his Father, not attack him.** I would’ve done: for it, and because I am his son he would probably give it to me.** 6. Page 112
 * An old man was hiding scraps of bread in his shirt and his son, Meir attacked him
 * I think that the son was to caught up in the every man for himself here
 * If I was on the train and wanted bread from my Father, I would ask him

Relationship shown: the death because he went through so much.** What I think: anymore, so he couldn't cry. Also, in the camps if you cry, you die.**
 * Elie's Dad died and Elie did not have enough tears left to weep at
 * I think that Elie was in to much shock that he didn't have his Father

I would’ve done: I would also be in to much shock of this, that I could not cry.**
 * If I was in this situation I would do the same as Elie by not crying at this.

__Night__ Irony

Read each passage below. Explain what is //ironic// about the meaning of the passage.

1. “but we had been marching for only a few moments when we saw the barbed wire of another camp. An iron door with this inscription on it: ‘Work is liberty!’ “ (page 40)
 * The ironic thing about this passage is that the camp is saying that work is liberty when they are working against their will and that is definitely NOT liberty.**

2. “Some of the prominent members of the community came…to ask him what he thought of the situation. My father did not consider it so grim…’The yellow star? Oh well, what of it? You don’t die of it…’ ” (page 11)

3. “On we went between the electric wires. At each step, a white placard with a death’s head on it stared us in the face. A caption: ‘Warning, Danger of Death.’ ” (page 40)
 * The ironic thing about this passage is that Father is saying that the fact that you are wearing the star won't kill you, but actually you will be killed if you are Jewish.**

4. I’ve got more faith in Hitler than anyone else. He’s the only one who’s kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people.” (page 51)
 * The ironic thing about this passage is that in the concentration camp there is death everywhere and when it says danger of death that is ironic that there is a HUGE danger of death in these camps. That is like if it said on a restaurant that there is a danger of eating. That is why this is irony.**
 * The ironic thing about this passage is that Hitler's "promises" to the Jews were to get every single one of them killed, the person saying this is saying that he kept his horrible promises. Most people, when they are happy about someone keeping a promise, it is a good promise, not a horrible one like Hitler's promise.**

Inhumanity

//Night// is filled with thoughts and comments that reflect inhumanity of World War II. Explain what each of the following excerpts from the novel mean.

1. “The world? The world is not concerned with us. Today anything is allowed. Anything is possible, even these crematories.” (page 33)

2. “Work makes you free.” (page 40)
 * What the excerpt here means is that if the world could allow the Holocaust to happen then the world is not concerned with us because it allowed this to happen.**

3. “we were not afraid. And yet, if a bomb had fallen on the blocks, it alone would have claimed hundreds of victims on the spot. But we were not longer afraid of death; at any rate, not of that death. Every bomb that exploded filled us with joy and gave us new confidence in life.” (page 60)
 * This is inhumanity because it means that if you are working without reward, then you are free. The Jews are treated with cruelty and the Nazis are saying that they are free if they are working.**

4. “I witnessed other hangings. I never saw a single one of the victims weep. For a long time those dried up bodies had forgotten the bitter taste of tears.” (page 63)
 * This means that at this point in the camps the Jews were not afraid of dying from a bomb raid, but they were just focused on not dying in the gas chambers which means that they were very scared.**


 * This means that when victims were chosen to be hung, they did not weep because they are too afraid and also they are in to much shock of what was happening. This is inhumane to make a human not cry when they know they are going to die soon.**