Themes: The Strength of Family
After he is separated from his mother and sisters, Eliezer commits himself to being a dependable and steadfast son to his father. The two work together, sharing their meager food rations when one of them is particularly weak and finding ways to remain together when so many families are separated. When Eliezer witnesses other sons abandoning their fathers to improve their own circumstances, he becomes resolute in his desire to remain faithful. He fervently prays for God to give him the strength to never do what those sons have done.
During one excruciatingly difficult march, Eliezer wants to give up and just “slide to the side of the road” where he can die; when he looks at his exhausted father forging resolutely on, Eliezer finds the determination to continue marching, believing that he has “no right to let himself die” and leave his already-weak father alone. When his father feels that he simply “can’t go on” because he is getting too weak, Eliezer remains by his father’s side, trying to navigate his medical care as best as possible with limited resources.
Unable to locate medical treatment, Eliezer attempts to relieve his father’s extreme thirst by locating water; he is tormented by his father’s desperation for relief, which conflicts with the medical reality that water will only create further physical discomfort. Together, Eliezer and his father face unfathomable challenges and endure relentless abuse; however, the bond they share and their commitment to helping each other survive bring glimpses of humanity and tenderness into their bleak existence. Their devotion to each other offers a sense of hope and encourages them in their efforts to survive multiple rounds of selection, abuse, and mental anguish.
Expert Q&A
Describe the father-son scene Elie witnesses in chapter 7 of Night.
In chapter 7 of Night, Elie is in a crowded cattle car full of Jewish prisoners when the train stops in a German town. Several bystanders throw pieces of bread into the cattle car, and Elie witnesses the prisoners maul each other for the bread. Elie then watches an old man hide bread before he is attacked and killed by his own son. The son kills his father for the bread before several prisoners attack and kill him.
How did Elie Wiesel's father help him survive in the camps in Night?
Elie Wiesel's father plays a crucial role in helping him survive the Holocaust in the book "Night". He offers Elie invaluable advice, shares his food rations, and motivates him to persevere through their horrific circumstances. Notably, he prevents Elie from falling asleep in the snow, which would have led to certain death. Elie's father's presence provides a sense of purpose that enables Elie to withstand exhaustion and starvation, ultimately contributing to his survival.
Why did the Wisel family refuse the safe refuge offered by former servant Martha?
The Wisel family refused Martha's offer of refuge because they underestimated the impending horror and were in denial about the severity of the situation. Like many Jews in Sighet, they could not believe things would be as bad as reported, similar to how they dismissed Moshe the Beadle's warnings.
How do interactions with his father, Juliek, the French girl, Rabbi Eliahou, his son, and the Nazis impact Wiesel's hope and will to live?
Elie Wiesel's interactions with various individuals in the concentration camps influence his hope and will to survive. His father's presence provides a primary source of motivation, as Wiesel feels a responsibility to stay alive for him. Juliek's violin performance offers a poignant, yet fleeting, moment of beauty amidst despair. The French girl's kindness leaves a lasting impression of humanity. Encounters with Rabbi Eliahou and Nazis further reinforce Wiesel's determination to maintain his humanity and not succumb to despair.
What inheritance does Elie receive from his father in Night?
In "Night," Elie receives a symbolic inheritance from his father: a faith in God that endures despite the horrors of the Holocaust. Initially deeply religious, Elie's faith is tested in the concentration camps where he struggles to reconcile his beliefs with the suffering he witnesses. Though he distances himself from God during these trials, his faith remains a core part of him, later resurfacing in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.
In Night, how did the Holocaust change father-son relationships?
The Holocaust profoundly altered father-son relationships, as depicted in "Night." Initially, Eliezer's father is a figure of authority and strength, but the brutal realities of Auschwitz shatter this dynamic. As his father's resolve weakens, Eliezer experiences detachment and even resentment, eventually assuming a caretaker role. This shift reflects the dehumanizing effects of the Holocaust, which eroded familial bonds, turning survival into the primary focus, often at the expense of emotional connections.
What major event in Night shows Elie's father's resistance to save their lives, and was it successful?
In "Night," Elie's father shows resistance by protecting Elie during their time in the death camps. For example, when someone tries to strangle Elie, his father calls for help and saves him. However, earlier, his father's refusal to escape Hungary when possible shows a lack of foresight. Despite this, his father's actions in the camp, such as giving Elie his food and encouragement, significantly contribute to Elie's survival, though not all attempts were successful.
Parent-child relationships and trust in Elie Wiesel's Night
In Night, Elie Wiesel explores the theme of parent-child relationships and trust through his bond with his father. The harrowing experiences in concentration camps test their trust and dependence on each other, revealing both the strength and fragility of familial ties amidst extreme suffering and dehumanization.
The respect and reputation of Eliezer's father in Sighet's Jewish community in Night
In Night, Eliezer's father is highly respected and well-regarded within Sighet's Jewish community. His position as a community leader and his ability to provide guidance and support to others contribute to his esteemed reputation.
Father-Son Dynamics in Night
In Elie Wiesel's Night, father-son dynamics illustrate the dehumanizing effects of the Holocaust. Wiesel portrays the erosion of familial bonds under extreme conditions, such as when Eliezer witnesses a son kill his father for bread. Despite maintaining a close relationship with his father, Eliezer is haunted by moments of inaction, highlighting the struggle for survival that often led to neglect or betrayal. The memoir underscores how the Holocaust severed even the deepest familial ties.
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