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In Night, what is the connection between the young pipel and Elie?
Quick answer:
There is no direct connection between Elie and the young pipel. The pipel served the Oberkapo in Elie's camp and was admired for his angelic appearance. Unlike other pipels who exploited their positions, this boy was beloved. After the Oberkapo was arrested for hiding weapons, the pipel was tortured but remained silent. His execution was particularly horrifying for Elie and other prisoners, as his light body did not die immediately, leaving a haunting impression.
There was no direct connection between the pipel and Elie.
The Oberkapo, the person in charge of the area of the prison camp were Elie was at the time, had a pipel, a young Jewish prisoner, as a "servant." Probably the boy was used for sexual enjoyment, as "this one had a delicate and beautiful face-an incredible sight in this camp." Unlike some pipels, who would use their position of favor with the Oberkapo to obtain favors for themselves, the pipel in Elie's camp "was beloved by all. His was the face of an angel in distress."
When the Oberkapo is arrested for hiding weapons and is removed from the camp, the pipel is questioned and tortured, but refuses to divulge any information he may have had. When he is hung, his body is too light for the noose to immediately break his neck and kill him. Elie, as all the other prisoners, is horrified by the sight of "his tongue...still red, his eyes not yet extinguished."
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