Emi+Motew

//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?

Now a day I believe this will not happen to me. I feel that the U.S.A is one of the safest countries to live in. We have a strong army and I feel we are stable enough that I can count on our country.

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

My first reaction to this would be I couldn’t believe this is happening to me, I don’t understand. I would be confused and hurt and it would be difficult for me to understand the reasoning behind this.

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

If someone were trying to hurt me or take me I would lie, cheat, and even steal. I would do anything to save my family and myself.

4. Do you think it would be better to give up and die or try to survive?  I think that even though it would be easier to just give up and die, I would fight to survive because it is what I think everyone should do. I would try my heart out to survive for what is right.

5. Inhumanity means being inhumanly cruel and brutal. Do you think the world could ever allow this kind of inhumanity to happen again?  I think that in some countries it can happen again because of their economics and/or army may not be as strong as some. That makes it easier for bad people to take them over and make them do whatever they want. However, the stronger countries I feel can help and fight for the rights of people who sometimes don’t really have a choice. We need to stop these inhuman acts.

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

Personally I feel that the leader should be put to death. I understand how harsh that is except for the fact that what they have done is horrid. How do we not know that the people who believe in him will continue to follow his actions while he is in jail? Also, what happens if his followers help him even escape from jail. That is why I think he should be put to death.

7. Do you think this kind of inhumanity could exist in our day and age?  t Not only do I think it can exist, it does exist in some of the poorer countries. In the U.S.A though I do not think it will exist.

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 doesn't exactly know why he prays, it's just something natural for him. Like breathing and even living. He cries when he prays because something inside him feels the need to cry.

2. Why don’t people believe Moche’s stores?

People don't believe Moche's stories because the people are in denial. It is hard to believe that one man, Hitler, can do such a crime.

3. Site examples of how the Jews gradually lose their freedom.

One way they gradually lose their freedom is when the Jews are being taken to ghettos. Soon after soldiers take away their gold and nice possessions. The Nazis also take away their freedom to go out and freedom to be free. __Chapter 2, pages 23-28__ 4. What does Madam Shachter’s nightmares about a fire foreshadow?

Madam Shachter's nightmares about the fire foreshadow the horrid events that the Jews are all heading for. I feel like she could see what was going to happen, like how animals can feel an earthquake. It also foreshadows the way the mass extermination is going to work and how it is not a pleasant way to go.

5. Where does the train finally stop?

The train finally stops at Birkenau, known as the death camp.

__Chapter 3, pages 29-46__ 6. When questioned by the SS officer, why does Elie lie about his occupation and age?  Elie lies because a man had told him to for Elie's own good. It helps him because the way he was pointed was a group who was going to last longer in the camps because of their working ability.

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

Elie disbelieves what his own eyes show him because the sight is too hard to see what he has. When you see something as horrid as what Elie has it is hard to believe that you actually saw it.  8. Why is Elie now reluctant to pray?

Elie is reluctant to pray because he thought God was supposed to protect him, not just stand by. Elie thought God would help them through this horrible experiance.

__Chapter 4, pages 47-65__ 9. Why is Elie summoned to the dentist?

Elie is summoned to the dentist because he has a gold crown on one of his teeth. The Nazis want the gold for their own wealth.

10. How does Elie react to his father’s beating?

Elie reacts to his father's beating from Idek by clenching his teeth and staying quiet. He was upset that his father didn't avoid Idek's rage. Elie reacts to the beating from the man who Elie would not give his gold crown to by trying to help his father with marching to lower his chance of getting beat.

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 the be one of the most profoundly moving events in the novel because the SS officers killed a child. Not only did they kill a child by hanging him in front of the whole camp but the child was still hanging there alive for half an hour.

__Chapter 5, pages 66-84__ 12. What is selection?

Selection is when Dr. Mengele had a "check-up" on every prisoner in the camp. He wrote down their numbers if he thought they weren't strong enough for the camps to do the work needed. Then he had them called from work and had another selection to decide if they will die or live.

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

Elie couldn't allow himself to die because Elie felt that he was his fathers sole support in staying alive. He did not want to give up and die because he didn't want his dad to give up either.

14. Why does Juliek play the violin?

Juliek plays the violin to respect the dead and to also keep his faith alive through this hardship.

15. Compare how the other boys treat their fathers with Eliezer’s treatment of his own father.

The other boys did not shed a tear when their fathers died from the harshness of condition. The boys would and could easily drop down and die without feeling the need to be there for their fathers support, but Elie did not want to give up on his father. He cared for his father and did not want to be separated from him. Elie stayed alive for his father and supported him on not giving up.

__Chapter 7-9 pages 98-115__ 16. Why can’t Elizer weep at his father’s death?

Elie can not weep at his father's death because he said he had no more tears left. Elie was pained he could not weep but he had already shed so many tears.

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?

He can never forget the look in the eyes of the corpse that gazes back at him because he had never seen himself like that. All of those years of limited food and horrid conditions had changed him. His eyes no longer held any emotion or feeling, he did not recognize himself and to see yourself like that, how could you ever forget? He will never be able to forget the look in his eyes after everything they had seen.

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 treacherous nights he had lived in for so long. Elie had wished that the nights would have gone by so that it would be closer to the end of the camp. I think he selected it to engage readers in his experiance of living in the nights of the Holocaust.

2. What fires does he speak of that consumed his faith forever? Why do these fires consume his faith?

The fires he speaks of are the cremetoria not only taking away the bodies of Jews but his faith in God to help them. They consume his faith in the way that the Almighty was supposed to protect them and Elie feels like God is not helping them survive, but letting Hitler take the Jews away.

3. Do you find it difficult to believe that a boy so devout in his faith could lose his faith? Why?

I do not find it difficult to believe because of the harsh conditions he has seen so far in this book. Elie has seen situations no human being should ever have in his mind. Faith is hard to have when you see something so inhumane.

4. Why does he lose his desire to live?

Elie loses his desire to live because he does not want to see or go through any of this. Elie thinks at that time that it is easier for him to just die and give up instead of fight and try. The truth is it is easier to give up, but is it the right choice? I think that you should never give up on yourself because in the end you will succeed.

5. Elie spoke these words as an adolescent. Do you think that as an adult his feelings have changed? Why?

No I do not think that as an adult these feelings have changed. I am sure he is glad he never gave up, but the horrendous sights he saw and the feelings he felt with always stay with him.

6. Why do you suppose Elie wrote this novel?

I suppose Elie wrote this novel because he wanted to inform the world of the true stories of a survivor of the Holocaust. He wanted people to know this did happen and the events are true and horrible, but they did happen and they should not be ignored.

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: Elie and his father support their relative they meet by telling him his family is O.K. and by listening to his problems and worries.

What I think: I think that Elie and his father wanted to help this relative feel like they have something to live for because they are also going through the same thing.

I would’ve done: I would have done the same thing that Elie and his father did because it means helping and supporting someone who needs it more then you at that time.

2. Page 49-50

Relationship shown: Elie wants to stay and work with his father. Elie does not want to be separated.

What I think: I think that the care Elie shows for his father and not being parted is inspiring. Elie cares for his father because they are all each other has and no matter what Elie would do anything to stay with him.

I would’ve done: I would've done exactly what Elie did. Staying close to my family and supporting them through this unbelievable journey would be the most important thing for me. Even if it meant death I would stay by my families side.

3. Page 55-56

Relationship shown: Elie's father takes blows for Elie because Elie did not give his gold crown to Franek.

What I think: I think Elie's father would do anything to protect and put his child's best interest forward. It is admirable to see how much suffering one man will go through for his child.

I would’ve done: I would've done the same thing they both did. I think that Elie and his father always have each other's backs and I would have done the same thing for my chile because no matter what you always need to be there for your family because they are always there for you.

4. Page 90-91

Relationship shown: Rabbi Elianu was looking for his son who he had lost while running to the new camp. His son was running next to Elie and his son gave up and died.

What I think: I think that the Rabbi's son did not care for his father or how his father would feel if he were not there anymore. It is hard to understand that feeling of not caring for your parents or how they would feel, I can not imagine the situations young children had to go through.

I would’ve done: If I was the Rabbi's son i would have not given up. I care too much about my parents that I would want to make sure they survive before I do. I would want to help them with not giving up and continuing on in this horrible journey, because it would have to end someday, and it did.

5. Page 101

Relationship shown: A father on the train had gotten bread for himself and his son. When men found out about this some man attacked him and started to beat him and eventually kill him. The man who did that was his son. This man's son hadn't cared that he was killing his father for bread, he just cared for the bread he had gotten, even though the son was killed too.

What I think: I think that this is horrible. I can't even imagine a son killing his father over bread. It is so hard to imagine what trama must have happened in order for a son to be able to commit this kind of horrific act.

I would’ve done: I would've ignored the piece of bread. I would have tried to keep my life instead of killing myself by men beating on me to get bread. Although I do not understand how much you needed bread, I would hope I would never do that.

6. Page 112

Relationship shown: The relationship shown on this page was how Elie reacted when his father died. He did not cry because he had no tears left. But after his father died Elie walked around depressed and not wanting to do anything.

What I think: I think that loosing a parent is so hard. Especially when Elie cared so much for his father in the concentration camps and pushed him to go on. It must have been so hard for Elie to wake up and find his dad gone without even saying goodbye.

I would’ve done: I feel that there wasn't anything that could be done. I think though that Elie did everything he could have done and not only that but he stuck by his dad's side no matter what. I would've done exactly what Elie did because I feel that is all there is someone can do.

__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) This is ironic because there is a sign saying "Work is liberty" yet how can work be liberty when you are forced and captured to do it with barbed wire surrounding your freedom. 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 ironic because even thought the physical yellow star did not kill you, it showed you were a Jew and eventually being a Jew did kill you.

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) This is ironic because not only is the fence a danger of death but the camp itself has death in every square inch.

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 ironic because Hitler kept his promise of EXTERMINATING the Jewish race, and that is not a good promise even though he kept it.

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) I feel that this excerpt means that the world is in such a depression that they have blindfolds on so they can not see the problems going on in the rest off the world but only their own. This is inhumanity because even though each part of the world has their own problems they ignored the need from countries who could not defend themselves.

2. “Work makes you free.” (page 40) This excerpt is an example inhumanity because the Nazis are making Jews work in labor camps and die in death camps but they have a sign at the entrance of a death camp saying "Work makes you free." The Jews don't have a choice to whether they work or they die and either way it ends up in death. It is inhumanity to have a sign saying that work will make you free when it doesn't.

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) I feel this is an example of inhumanity because the Nazis threatened the Jews lives so many times that a bomb could no longer scare the Jewish people. Every bomb. if it killed prisoners or not, made them happy because they knew that another country was fighting to free them.

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 is inhumanity because the Nazis hung people who not only didn't deserve to die even though they broke the rules, but who were so used to the harsh punishments they did not cry when it was their time. This means that Nazis were so harsh that no one was scared of anything else.