Jeremy+Wise

** //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!

// ** I think that something like this could happen to me. I think this is because there are many peo ple on this Earth that do not like or care about people who are different. People who feel this way could commit a Holocaust repeat! It is very unlikely tough, but it still could happen. 2. What would be your first reaction to this horrifying experience? My first reaction would be shock! I would be asking myself. Why? Why me? I would also be thinking. Wow! I cannot believe this is actually happening to me. I would be in total shock! 3. What means might you use to deal with what is happening (example: would you lie, cheat, steal)? If someone was going to kill me, I would kill them before they had the chance to kill me. Then I would escape to a safer destination. 4. Do you think it would be better to give up and die or try to survive? I think it would be much better to try and survive. Maybe, at the end of the tragedy, you might be able to get back to a somewhat normal lifestyle. 5. Inhumanity means being inhumanly cruel and brutal. Do you think the world could ever allow this kind of inhumanity to happen again? I do not think this will happen again. I feel that with the leaders and security in the world today, this would not happen again. 6. What kind of punishment do you feel would be suitable for this kind of inhumanity? I think that the death sentence fits this crime perfectly! If they kill tons and tons of people, then they deserve to be killed as well. 7. Do you think this kind of inhumanity could exist in our day and age? // **
 * //1. Do you think something like this could ever happen to you? Why or why not?
 * //This type of inhumanity could exist in our day and time but most likely never again!

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 prays because he wants to be closer to God. He cries when he prays because he thinks he's supposed to. 2. Why don’t people believe Moche’s stores? People do not believe Moche's stories because they think it is too horrible to actually happen, and because he is a vagrant. 3. Site examples of how the Jews gradually lose their freedom. // **
 * //The Jews gradually loss their freedom by being taken out of their homes and into ghettos. Then they were taken from the ghettos into cattle cars. Then they were finally taken from cattle cars to Birkenau.

Chapter 2, pages 23-28 4. What does Madam Shachter’s nightmares about a fire foreshadow? Madam Shachter's nightmares about a fire foreshadow the innocent Jews getting burned in the crematoria. 5. Where does the train finally stop? The train finally stops in Birkenau. // ** 6. When questioned by the SS officer, why does Elie lie about his occupation and age? When, questioned by the officer Elie lies because he does not want to get killed and because the inmate told him to lie. 7. Why does Elie disbelieve what his own eyes show him? Eli disbelieves what his own eyes show him because he cannot believe actual little babies are being burned for no apparent reason. 8. Why is Elie now reluctant to pray? Elie is reluctant to pray because he does not think he should thank God for doing this to the poor and innocent Jews. // **
 * //Chapter 3, pages 29-46

** //Chapter 4, pages 47-65 9. Why is Elie summoned to the dentist? Elie was summoned to the dentist so that they could remove his gold crown in his mouth. 10. How does Elie react to his father’s beating? Elie reacts to his fathers beating by standing still like nothing has happened. 11. Why is the hanging of the “sad eyed angel” said to be one of the most profoundly moving events in the novel? The hanging of the sad eyed angel is said to be one of the most profoundly moving events in the novel because, now the Jews can see what will be done to them if they do not follow orders perfectly. They had to watch the poor Jews die and get hung from ropes. One boy was hanging there still alive, with very sad eyes. // **

** //Chapter 5, pages 66-84 12. What is selection? Selection is when you line up and the SS officers check you to see if you die or continue to work. // **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">** //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Chapter 6, pages 85-97 13. Why couldn’t Elie allow himself to die? Elie would not allow himself to die because then his father would have no one to take care of him! 14. Why does Juliek play the violin? I think Juliek plays the violin because he loves music and it helps him relax and take out stress!

15. Compare how the other boys treat their fathers with Eliezer’s treatment of his own father. The other boys care more about themselves. Eliezer cares way more about his father! // **

16. Why can’t Elizer weep at his father’s death? Eliezer cannot weep at his father's death because the rule at the camps is, you cry, you die!
 * //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Chapter 7-9 pages 98-115

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? Eliezer will never forget the corpse that gazed back at him because he has never looked that awful and have not seen himself for two whole years. In the Holocaust the prisoners looked dead but were alive! // ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">** //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Literary Analysis Characterization/Author’s Purpose After page: 34

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? Night symbolizes the first night in Auschwitz and the last night he saw his Mother and Sisters. It was the last night his whole family would be together forever. 2. What fires does he speak of that consumed his faith forever? Why do these fires consume his faith? The fire he speaks of that consumed his faith forever is the crematoria that burned the babies. He thinks that why should he pray for and thank God if this is what he is letting happen on this earth! 3. Do you find it difficult to believe that a boy so devout in his faith could lose his faith? Why? I find it very difficult to believe that a boy so devout in his faith could lose his faith forever. He was so into his religious studies and into praying to God. One terrible thing happened and his faith was gone forever. 4. Why does he lose his desire to live? He loses his desire to live because he has nothing in life to really look forward to and he does not have any faith in his heart any longer. He was probably going to die anyways! 5. Elie spoke these words as an adolescent. Do you think that as an adult his feelings have changed? Why? I do not think that as an adult his feelings have changed. He is probably still really, really sad, hurt, and upset about all the horrible things that occurred to him, his family, and his religion. 6. Why do you suppose Elie wrote this novel? I suppose Elie wrote this novel to inform people of this terrible tragedy in history that took place. // ** Literary Analysis: Characterization // ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">** //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 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.
 * //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">

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: Stein is very curious about where his wife and two little boys are and if they are still alive!

What I think: Stein obviously cares about his boys and hopes they are alive and loves them with all his heart.

I would’ve done: I would have been asking all the same questions to Eliezer because I would like to know what my children are up to and if they survived.

2. Page 49-50

Relationship shown: Elie is telling is telling the sir he will only go to a commando with his father.

What I think: Elie cares for his father and will not leave him for anything, he truly loves him deeply.

I would’ve done: I would have done he same thing because I love my dad so much, I would do anything for him. I would never leave his side.

3. Page 55-56

Relationship shown: Elie is teaching his father how to march!

What I think: I think this is sweet and sad. Elie is being sweet by helping his father. It is very sad that he forgot how to march and is getting old.

I would’ve done: I would have helped my father for sure! I love my father so, so much!

4. Page 90-91

Relationship shown: Rabbi Eliahou's son has gone missing.

What I think: I think this is so terrible. The Rabbi needs to find his beloved son. It is all he has!

I would’ve done: I would have continued to search just as he had!

5. Page 101

Relationship shown: The son killed his father just for an extra ration of bread!

What I think: This is terrible! Why would a child kill his father for only a piece of bread! I

I would’ve done: I would have asked him nicely for some bread and I'm sure he would give me some.

6. Page 112

Relationship shown: Elies father has died! Elie is miserable!

What I think: I think this is very sad how he cannot cry for his father who he has tried so hard to keep alive!

I would’ve done: I would have had to cry! I could not hold it back! I would be miserable and have so much tears! // **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">** //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Night Irony

Read each passage below. Explain what is // ** ** //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">ironic // **** //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 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) This is irony because at the camps if you work you are not always liberated and set free, mostly you are shot, beaten, or killed even for doing really, really hard work.

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) This is so ironic because Jews are the ones who had to wear the yellow star to keep track of them and to identify them. Jews were also the ones who died because they were Jewish!

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.’ ” This is so ironic because it is obviously not a warning at all. All the people that have been taken to the concentration camps, know that they could die. They know that already!

(page 40)

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) This is total irony because hitler did not keep any promises to Jews what so ever. Hitler killed tons of them with out feeling any sorrow at all! // **

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">** //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Inhumanity // ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">** //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Night // **** //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 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) This is total inhumane. The Jews never know what is going to happen to them and their family. They could get killed, they could get beaten, or possibly they could be free at last and survive the tough work that the Germans force them to do. That my friend, is I-N-H-U-M-A-N-I-T-Y! 2. “Work makes you free.” (page 40) That is so inhumane! The Germans are making you work because your Jewish and when your done you are not usually free, you are usually dead! 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) The Germans are doing things that are really and terribly bad and wrong! They are forcing them to do such hard jobs, they don't even really want to live. They feel that if bombs dropping on their cam is a good thing, even though many Jews could get killed. They do not want to work under the mean German! 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) They are hanging innocent children and adults for no reason, and they are making the poor and suffering Jews look at them just hanging there. This is the most inhumane thing I have ever heard about that took place on this Earth! // ** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">

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