Night Comprehension Questions
Answer the following questions based on the text “Night” by Elie Wiesel noting page numbers and citing textual evidence to support your answers.
Comprehension Questions are due Thursday, April 17th - NO LATE WORK FOR "NIGHT" WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER OR AFTER SPRING BREAK!
PREFACE to the NEW TRANSLATION:
1.) Read the preface by Elie Wiesel. Why do you suppose Wiesel imposed a ten-tear vow of silence?
- Wiesel imposed a ten-year vow of silence because he was still in shock, and he was trying to sort his emotions, feelings, as well as in memory for all the people that passed away.
2.) Why did he have trouble finding a publisher?
- He had trouble finding a publisher because it wasn't a popular topic, and it was too sensitive a topic in the 50s and 60s.
3.) What is the “devastation that will never end”?
- The "devastation that will never end" was the memories, experiences, and reflections that he can't forget and not see, reminding him of what happened.
4.) What is Wiesel saying about how we can make sure that something this horrible is never repeated?
- Wiesel says that they can make sure something like the Holocaust never happens again by informing everyone about what happened, hopefully causing people to steer away from the event like the Holocaust in the future.
FOREWARD:
5.) Read the Foreword by Francois Mauriac. Why is Mauriac so moved by Wiesel’s book – of all the Holocaust literature he had seen?
- Mauriac is moved by Wiesel's book because this book is an autobiography/memoir that comes from the point of view of a child, which makes him think it is more genuine. He also thinks that the graphic material included is an authentic representation and memory of what happened during the Holocaust.
6.) How do you explain the “inconceivable passivity” with which the Jews of Sighet yield themselves to the Nazis?
- The Jews had "inconceivable passivity" because they weren't aggressive people, they had hear in their hearts that something bad will happen if they react at all, and they hoped that things would always get better without knowing the actual reality of the Nazis.
7.) What aspects of Wiesel’s experience does Mauriac find most disturbing?
- The experiences that Mauriac found most disturbing are those where Wiesel's mother and sister were being burned to death in a furnace, children and people being hung and transported in cattle cars, as well as the absence of God, who he believes God let something like the Holocaust follow through and happen, which makes him doubt his faith.
NIGHT:
8.) When and where does Elie Wiesel grow up? (city, country and time period) How old is he?
- Ellie grew up in Transylvania, Sighet in the 1900s. He is twelve, almost thirteen years old.
9.) Try to picture Elie’s childhood. How is his childhood like yours and how is it different?
- Ellie is religious, he studies and goes to school. The difference is how Ellie is more religious than I am, and that he grew up in Transylvania, whereas I was born in California.
10.) Who is “Moshe the Beadle” and why does Wiesel begin the story with him?
Moshe the Beadle is Wiesel's religious education mentor and the clown of the town, which makes him not respected. He begins the story with him because it tells how into religion Wiesel is
11.) What do Eliezer’s parents and the other in the community think of Moshe?
- The parents and the community think that Moshe was the clown of the town and don't think much of Moshe at all.
12.) Why does Elie spend so much time with Moshe?
- Ellie spends a lot of time with Moshe because they can talk to other about religion comfortably and because they have a friendly relationship.
13.) What is Elie’s father’s profession?
- Ellie's father is a store owner.
14.) Is Elie’s father highly respected in the Jewish community?
- Ellie's father is well respected in the Jewish community and a lot of people sought him for advice and help.
15.) What has happened to Moshe that caused a great change in him?
- Moshe is forcibly taken out of town to kill him, and somehow he escapes, but he has already watched people dig their own graves and are shot into the holes they buried, as well as babies that are used for targeting practice.
16.) How does this experience change Moshe?
- The experience changes Moshe because he loses faith in God, and he becomes depressed and loses the joy in his eyes.
17.) How does the rest of the community react when he tells them what has happened to him?
- The community reacts by not believing him and thinking that he is lying, delusional, because he wants pity, or because he is going insane or crazy because they don't respect Moshe.
18.) The Jews of Sighet are optimistic because of the news they hear on the radio in late 1942 and 1943. What is the news and why are they so optimistic?
- The news of the daily bombings of Germany and Stalingrad, and the preparation of the Second Front cause them to be optimistic because they thought that people were going to help the Jews and that the war was not going to be a war.
19.) With an ironic tone, Wiesel says, “Besides, people were interested in everything – in strategy, in diplomacy, in politics, in Zionism – but not their own fate.” What does he mean?
- Wiesel means that it was ironic that they had so much do to with the strategy and diplomacy and such with Hitler, but still think that they are exempt from the events and don't believe they are next.
20.) Berkovitz brings news from Budapest that anti-Semitism (hostility or discrimination against Jews) war is rampant. Why then, is “optimism soon revived”?
- They were still optimistic of the situation because they thought that Hitler would stay in Budapest and still think that they are exempt from the events and from Hitler.
21.) Why do “the optimists rejoiced” even three days after the German soldiers appear in Sighet?
- The optimists are jubilant because the Germans are being polite and speaking kindly and thinking that the Germans are befriending the Jews in Sighet.
22.) Why is celebrating Passover like playing a “comedy”?
- Celebrating the Passover is like a comedy because their hearts aren't in the Passover because there are other things going on in the town.
23.) What does the following mean? “On the seventh day of Passover the curtain rose.”
- The quote, "On the seventh day of Passover the curtain rose," means that the Germans arrested the Jewish leaders of the town and suddenly the happiness is gone in the town. Then they enforce three decrees for the Jewish citizens.
24.) Name the decrees (laws) the Germans put into place.
- The first edict was that the Jews were supposed to stay inside their houses for three days, otherwise they will die.
- The second edict was that they had to give away all the money and valuables that they had or they would die.
- The third edict was that all the Jews had to wear a yellow star to signify that they were Jewish.
25.) Describe the ghettos.
- There are two ghettos in Sighet, which are protected by barbed wire, and the Jews are able to govern themselves, rather than the Nazis governing them.
26.) How do the Jews of Sighet generally feel about the ghettos?
- The Jews think that the ghettos are good things because they are living together and they don't have to look at the Nazis anymore, so they feel excluded from the hostile environment, so they enjoy that.
27.) Why do the Jews of Sighet think they are being deported and why is their destination kept secret from them?
- The Jews think they are too close to the fronts, and think they are being protected, so they are being transported to Hungary to work in brick factories.
28.) How could the Jews of Sighet have possibly escaped from the Germans?
- The Jews of Sighet could have possibly escape earlier without the notice of the Germans out of the city.
29.) How do they prepare for deportation?
- They had to prepare their personal belongings, like having one backpack, some food and water, and something small that they felt was important to them,
30.) Why is there “joy” when the signal finally comes for them to leave?
- The Jews think that anything is better than being stranded in the streets under the sun sweating among other people, so they felt joy when they could leave.
31.) How does Elie feel as he watches the procession or deportees?
- Elie feels as he watches the procession distressed that he could see all these people that once shared memories with him, so he felt somewhat nostalgic but mostly distressed.
32.) Who offers Elie and his family safe refuge?
- Maria the maid offers their family safe refuge to her village
33.) Why doesn’t Elie’s father accept the offer?
- Elie's father doesn't accept the offer because he doesn't want to abandon his Jewish community because they look up to him and he is an elder to them, so he feels he also has to share the experiences with them.
34.) On what day of the week is the family expelled and why is this ironic?
- They are being expelled on Saturday, which is ironic because one the day they are supposed to be resting, they are being forcibly removed by the Germans to a new community.
35.) They spend 24 hours in a synagogue. What are the conditions like? Give examples.
- The conditions in the synagogue were messy and horrendous. The german soldiers destroyed the synagogue, like the altar that was shattered and the wall coverings shredded. They were also separated by gender, the men being downstairs, and the woman upstairs
36.) How are the Jews moved out of Sighet?
- The Jews were compacted into cattle cars, and a cattle car would have eighty people in one car.
37.) Why do you suppose no one tries to escape?
- No one tries to escape because they are scared to get shot and die.
38.) Why does the Hungarian lieutenant move among the prisoners with a basket?
- The Hungarian lieutenant was trying to take any valuables, like gold and silver, that the Jews had left.
39.) What actions do “those who no longer wished to taste the bitterness of terror” take?
- The actions that the Jews take were that they tried to calm her down and defend her. They were being compliant and obediant to protect Madame Schachter.
40.) Who is Madame Schachter and why is she so upset?
- She was a Jewish lady that lost her mind and was upset because she was accidenty separated from her husband and two other sons, though she did have one son with her.
41.) How do the others treat her and why?
- The others, after she continued to scream and would not calm down, tied her up and gagged her so they can't hear her scream anymore. They treat her like this because she was screaming and terrifying everyone in the cattle car
42.) What is the first thing the prisoners see when they got to Birkenau?
- The see the chimney, with the smoke and fire rising from the chimney when they see the Birkenau
43.) What do they smell?
- They smell burning flesh, which means that they are burning bodies.
44.) Who are the SS men?
- The SS men are soldiers of the German Army at the internment camps.
45.) How do Elie and his father get separated from Mother and Tzipora?
- They get separated because the lines were formed and separated by gender.
46.) What is Elie’s last memory of them?
- Elie's last memory of them is when his mother strokes Tzipora's hair, as if to protect her and calm her down.
47.) Why do some of the younger men want to attempt an escape?
- They do not want to go to the crematorium and be burned. They feel like they should not be treated like this and don't want to die this way.
48.) Why don’t they go through with it?
- Their elders persuade them not to be foolish and cause a revolt, and rather be optimistic.
49.) What lies do Elie and his father tell to Dr. Mengale and why?
- Elie and his father like to Dr. Mengale by lying about their age and occupation so he won't know their true identity.
50.) Why does Elie’s father wish Elie has gone with his mother and why is this ironic?
- Elie's father wishes Elie would go to his mom because so he would be safe with his mom, and that he didn't want to see his only son die. It is ironic because he didn't take the chance to save his family when Maria offered refuge, but not he wants to save his son.
51.) What do you suppose Elie would say to those who claim that innocent children were not murdered during the Holocaust?
- Elie would say that children were being murdered, because he himself saw children and babies being thrown into the fire and people and families being killed, just like his mother and his sister.
52.) What is the Kaddish and why doesn’t’ Elie join his father in reciting it?
- The Kaddish is a prayer to respect the dead, and Elie doesn't join his father in reciting it because he doesn't want to believe that they are going to die, so he decides not to say it because he still has the hope that he will survive.
53.) How do the prisoners who are already in the barracks treat the newcomers?
- The prisoners who are already in the barracks are mean and unwelcoming to the newcomers, already striking them with sticks and telling them to strip.
54.) What are Elie and the others ordered to do?
- Elie and the others were ordered to strip their clothes and hold on to their belts and shoes, and then were ordered to go to the barber to be shaved.
55.) How does Elie change by the end of the first night? (physically, emotionally, and spirirtually)
- Elie changes because he thinks that he lost his soul, gave up hope, and gave up on God and faith and wondering why God is letting everything happen.
56.) How does Elie keep his his shoes from the “Kapos” at first?
- He hides his shoes because his shoes were already in the mud, so the mud makes the shoes look dirty and makes it look older.
57.) According to the SS officer, what is the only way to avoid the furnaces?
- The only way to avoid the furnaces, according to the SS officer, was to either work or you would go to the furnace.
58.) Why does the gypsy strike Elie’s father and how does Elie react?
- He strikes him because Elie's father asks to go to the bathroom. Elie reacts by standing there silently because he's scared and petrified at what might happen. He is also desensitized in his feelings, so he doesn't react at all.
59.) To what new camp are the prisoners taken?
- The prisoners are taken to a concentration camp in Auschwitz.
60.) Who is in charge of the block and what is his advice?
- A young Polish man is in charge of the block, and he gives the advice to help each other to survive the camps.
61.) How does Elie become “A-7713”?
- Elie becomes that number so they can role call, and not use their names because it would refer to the Jews as people.
62.) Describe “roll call”.
- In role call, an orchestra comes out and play music in the role call. There area tens of thousands of inmates in ranks that are being checked to make sure no one is missing.
63.) Who is Stein and why does Elie lie to him?
- Stein is a relative of Elie's father, and Elie lies to Stein to make him feel better and give him hope, rather than destroy him by saying that his wife and kids are dead.
64.) Why does Stein stop coming to see Elie?
- Steins stops coming to see Elie because he realized the real news, and that Elie lied to them, so he was in despair and lost hope, so he doesn't go to see Elie and his father anymore.
65.) Akiba Drumer believes that God is testing the Jews and that this punishment they are enduring is actually a sign of love. What does Elie think of this theory?
- Elie thinks of the theory that it was wrong and doesn't believe it, and ceased to pray, denying His absolute justice, but not denying His existence.
66.) How could Elie have bribed the assistant to arrange for him to go with his father to a “good unit”?
- Elie could have given the assistant his shoes so he could go with his father to a "good unit"
67.) Why doesn’t he try the bribe?
- He doesn't bribe because the shoes are the only things he has left, and he questions the assistant whether the guy could actually do what he offers.
68.) Where is music played in the camp?
- The music is played in the entrance of the camp, the "first block."
69.) Why can’t the musicians play Beethoven?
- The musicians couldn't play Beethoven because he was a German composer, and the Jews were not allowed to play any German music.
70.) Why is Elie sent to the dentist?
- Elie is sent to the dentist because they want to take his gold teeth.
71.) Why is he so desperate to keep his tooth and why doesn’t he succeed in keeping it?
- Elie is desparate to keep his tooth because he feels like it might be able to help him in the future to buy something, and it is the last of his worldly possessions.
72.) Who beats Elie in front of the French girl and why?
- Idek beats Elie in front of the French girl because Elie was just there. Elie did not do anything wrong, just that he was there made Idek beat him up
73.) Why is she afraid to speak to him?
- She is afraid to speak to him because she was paralyzed with fear, not wanting herself or Elie to be in more trouble and get beat up also
74.) What advice does she give to Elie and what does this show about her?
- The French girl tells Elie to hold his anger and rage, and wait it out for another day when he can release it.
75.) Why does Idek beat Elie’s father?
- Idek beats Elie's father because Idek lost control, and he didn't think that Elie's father was not working hard enough.
76.) Why is Elie angry at his father for getting beaten?
- Elie is angry at his father because his father wasn't trying to keep up and wasn't trying to avoid Idek's wrath.
77.) Why does Elie give his father “marching lessons”?
- Elie gives his father "marching lessons" because his father doesn't know how to march in place and Franek keeps beating Elie's father to get revenge at Elie for not giving Franek his gold crown.
78.) Why does Elie laugh at Idek and what is the result?
- Elie laughs at Idek because he saw Idek send the whole kommando away just to take advantage of a young polish girl who has no choice but to relent it. The result was that Idek marched up to Elie, grabbed his throat, and threaten him.
79.) What do the air raid sirens signify?
- The air raid sirens signify that there would be a bombing and an air raid at the camp at Buna.
80.) Why is this a particularly dangerous time for prisoners?
- This is particularly dangerous time for prisoners because if the bomb goes off, tons of prisoners would die, while the SS officers would be alive because they are underground.
81.) How is “terror stronger than hunger”?
- The fear is greater than hunger because they do not want to commit suicide or get punished just over some soup, which he might not even achieve, especially since he was just whipped 25 times.
82.) How does the death of that one man affect Elie and how does he react when the air raid is over?
- The death of that one man doesn't affect Elie at all, as he has no reaction over the death, and he reacts like the entire intermission, the "air raid," was just a daily break in his life.
83.) Who are some of the people who die on the gallows?
- A person who died on the gallows was the young boy, who was put to death because he stole during the air raid. Another person was the pipel, who was condemned for stealing weapons and arms.
84.) What phrase so many repeat before their deaths?
- The phrase was "Long live Liberty."
85.) Why are people hanged rather than being shot or killed some other way?
- People are hanged because it is painful and haunting for the prisoners to see, and fear even more because of how they can see the life and breath taken out from the victims.
86.) Whose death affects Elie the most and why?
- The death of the pipel affects Elie the most because he is a younger innocent child, and it also makes Elie doubt his faith and ask where is God.
87.) Why does Elie find the soup “excellent” after one execution, but tasting of “corpses” after another?
- Elie says the first soup tastes excellent because it was usual and was thankful that Elie didn't die, but the second time, he felt it tasted like corpses because he realizes that Elie could have been hanged too, and that the soldiers and the army had no limitations to who they would kill.
88.) What is Rosh Hashanah?
- Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year.
89.) Why do you suppose even “Kapos, functionaries of death” come to the Rosh Hashanah service?
- The Kapos might have attended the Rosh Hashanah to supervise the Jews, and to participate in the service and be faithful in their own way, even though they don't believe in the faith.
90.) What is going through Elie’s mind?
- In Elie's mind, he was losing faith during the service. He believed that he was alone now, that he was defeated, and now he was just a body of ashes walking around.
91.) Is Elie in the minority when he “rebelled” inwardly and why does he call the place where the Jews meet to pray a “mirage”?
- The Jews think they see hope, but Elie doesn't. Elie instead rebels against his faith inwardly, and is in the minority when he does so.
92.) What does Elie mean when he says of his father, “We had never understood each other so clearly”?
- Elie means that they understood that they are thankful that they still have each other and love each other, as well as both of them are afraid of what might happen and what could have happened.
93.) What is Yom Kippur?
- Yom Kippur is a day atonement when Jews fast.
94.) Why doesn’t Elie fast?
- Elie doesn't fast because he is already starving, and because it is a rebellious protest against God, asking God where he is and why he is allowing everything to happen.
95.) What is the “fine New Year’s gift” the SS gives the prisoners?
- The SS gives the prisoners, as a New Year's gift, the selection.
96.) What advice does Elie get from the head of the block about avoiding selection?
- Elie gets the advice to run as fast as he can, to run forward, and give yourself some color so that you look healthy and not pale and frail.
97.) What does Wiesel mean when he says, as the prisoners stand naked, “This must show how one stands at the last judgment”?
- Wiesel means that he thinks that the selection is similar to what the last judgement, going to heaven or hell, would be like.
98.) What is Dr. Mengele’s attitude during the “selection”?
- Dr. Mengele's attitude during the selection was like it was all a game. He forces the inmates to do silly tricks, and grins and smiles every once and a while.
99.) What are Elie’s thoughts as he goes through the “race”?
- Elie's head is spinning and thinks about how he is too skinny or too weak, and repeats these thoughts and continues running, hoping that he could pass the selection.
100.) What sorts of “presents” and “inheritance” gifts does Wiesel’s father give Elie and why?
- Wiesel's father gives Elie a half ration of bread to eat and a piece of rubber that could be used to repair a shoe. He also gave Elie a knife that he doesn't use anyway, and a spoon as inheritance.
101.) Why does Elie return them to his father?
- Elie returns the inheritance because his father is still alive and proved that he was still able to work, so he returns his inheritance because it shows that his father is still alive and did not pass away.
102.) What does this show about how life changes when mere survival is a struggle?
- This shows about how life changes when survival is a struggle because those kind of survival tools are a major gift because they realize that it could mean life or death as well.
103.) What happens to many of the prisoners when they lose faith?
- When the prisoners lose faith, they also lose hope and strength to fight and work. When they lose faith, they succumb to defeat, and usually die to selection afterwards.
104.) Why does Wiesel tell the story of Akiba Dumer – and how everyone forgets to say the Kaddish for him?
- Wiesel tells the story of Akiba Dumer because it was a perfect example of what happened when someone lost their faith. They were losing their selves, their community, and their brotherhood, like when they forgot to say the Kaddish for Akiba.
105.) How does Wiesel end up in the hospital?
- Wiesel's right food began to swell from the cold or from infection. So they decide to operate on it.
106.) What decision is Wiesel faced with while he is in the hospital?
- Wisel is faced with the decision that if he should leave the hospital, or wait it out and stay and fully recover.
107.) What is Elie’s choice and why does he choose this option?
- Elie chooses to stay and fully recover because he doesn't trust the neighbor, and he likes it at the hospital. He's getting rest, food, water, no bells, and no work.
108.) Why is the camp being evacuated?
- The camp is being evacuated because the Red Army was coming towards the concentration camps, and the battle front was getting too close.
109.) Why do the prisoners want the Russians to arrive first?
- The prisoners want the Russians to arrive first because they believe that they will rescue and liberate the Jews from the concentrations camps and from Hitler, since they will be dead anyway or be forced to fight.
110.) What is meant by the question the prisoners ask: “were they (SS) going to let the Jews hear the twelfth stroke sound?”
-The question the prisoners asked meant if the patients in the infirmary would be executed and thrown into the furnace at midnight, or if they were going to be allowed to stay alive.
111.) How does the “face of the camp” change on the morning of the evacuation?
- The mood of the camp chances on the morning of the evacuation when they get more food, more clothing, and it basically turns into a free-for-all for survival.
112.) Why does the head of the block order the prisoners to clean the floor, and how do you think the prisoners feel about this task?
- The head of the block orders the prisoners to clean the floor because they want the Russian army, when they arrive, to know that men lived in the area, not pigs, and the prisoners guess that now they are considered men, even if they are treated like pigs.
113.) Reread the description of the evacuation at the end of the chapter. Why does the author choose to use a series of short sentences in this passage? What is the effect?
- The authors uses a series of short sentences in the passage so the reader can relate and feel what the characters are going through, because in the moment, everything was happening so fast.
114.) What does Wiesel mean by the observations of the SS men “Their fingers on the triggers, they did not deprive themselves of this pleasure”?
- Wiesel means by the observations of the SS men that they would shoot anyone that could not keep up the pace, and the SS officers are still in charge even though they are evacuating when Wiesel sees that their fingers are on the triggers constantly.
115.) What is sadism and where do you see evidence of it in the novel?
- Sadism means of having the pleasure to inflict pain or sadness towards others or oneself, and it is seen when:
- the SS officers do not show mercy towards the running prisoners during the night, and their fingers always on the trigger, "they did not deprive themselves of this pleasure."
- not feeding the sick people
- Idek, when he just randomly beats up people
- the doctor that doesn't help at all Elie's dying father.
116.) What happens to Zalman?
- Zalman has stomach pains, and he takes his pants off probably to relieve the pain, but then falls over on the ground and dies just because of being trampled over by the thousands of people that are marching forward.
117.) In what way are Wiesel and the other Jews who keep rushing onward “masters of nature” -then in the morning “without strength, without illusions”?
- Wiesel and the other Jews were "masters of nature" because they have gone through so much and are so desensitized that they become strong against abuse and the harsh environment. Then in the morning, they were without strength because they were running all night and became exhausted after the harsh run.
118.) How do Wiesel and his father help each other stay alive?
- Wiesel and his father help each other stay alive by looking out for each other and keeping each other awake so they both don't go to sleep.
119.) Why does Wiesel tell the story of Rabbi Eliahou?
- Wiesel tells the story of Rabbi Eliahou because the story shows what would happen if Wiesel and his father would be separated.
120.) Why is he glad that the rabbi “should continue to look for his beloved son”?
- Wiesel is glad that the rabbi continues to look for his beloved son because since it mirrors Wiesel's relationship with his father, it gives him the peace of mind that his father would search for him if Wiesel would be separated or lost.
121.) Why do you think that “sons abandoned their fathers’ remains without a tear”?
- I think that the sons abandoned their fathers' like that because they might feel that their fathers are holding them back, or they are used to it, or because they can't do anything about it.
122.) How does Wiesel avoid suffocation?
- Wiesel avoids suffocation when he separates the bodies above him and makes himself an air hole to breathe through.
123.) Why does Wiesel think he is hallucinating?
- Wiesel thinks he is hallucinating because he hears the music and the violin in a terrible situation, so he assumes immediately he is hallucinating.
124.) Why is Juliek playing his violin in this terrible situation?
- Juliek is playing the violin in this terrible situation because he plays it for the dead, and for himself because he knows that either the violin is either going to be taken away, or he dies, so he would rather die happy.
125.) What happens to Juliek
- Juliek ends up dead on the floor next to his trampled violin.
126.) How does Wiesel’s father avoid being “selected” at Gleiwitz and why does Wiesel run after him to the left?
- Wiesel's father avoids being "selected" by being taken by Wiesel and crossed over to the right side, where all the healthy people were, during the confusion. Wiesel runs off after his father to the left so he won't be separated by him and so he can save him.
127.) How does Wiesel convey a sense of hopelessness in this final section of the book?
- Wiesel conveys a sense of hopelessness in the section of the book because he gives the impression that everyone is waiting to die because there is nothing to live for.
128.) Why do the two men try to throw Wiesel’s father from the carriage?
- The two men tried to through Wiesel's father out the carriage because he looked dead and was barely breathing.
129.) Why do the living “rejoice” when the order comes to throw out the corpses?
- The living rejoice because they would have more room because the corpses would not take unneeded space.
130.) What is the author trying to say about the prisoners at this point?
- The author tries to say about the prisoners that they act like animals, only caring for themselves, and taking whatever they can get.
131.) How do the prisoners in the wagon act like animals?
- They only care for themselves and act selfishly against each other, not helping each other out, basically making the prisoners playing a free-for-all in survival.
132.) Why do the German workmen take a “lively interest in this spectacle” when they have merely stopped and stared at marching prisoners before?
- The German workmen take an interest now because it is their way of making fun of the hungry Jews. The German workmen don't sympathize or empathize with the Jews, so they make fun of them.
133.) Why doesn’t Wiesel join in this scramble for food?
- Wiesel doesn't join to scramble for food because he knows he is not strong enough to fight for some bread.
134.) How are Meir and his son similar to other fathers and sons Wiesel describes?
- Meir and his son are similar to other fathers and sons because those relationships only have the fathers providing the love and support, while the sons become selfish and don't return the love to their fathers.
135.) What is the author saying about how the concentration camp affects the bonds between loved ones?
- The family bonds change by becoming closer to help each other to survive, or grow father because some decide to survive on their own without their family.
136.) How does Meir Katz save Elie Wiesel’s life?
- Meir Kats pries and stops Elie's attacker when the attacker tries to suffocate Elie.
137.) What advice does Wiesel’s father give Katz in an attempt to save him?
- Wiesel's father tells Katz to not give up. He told him to continue to resist and not to lose faith in himself.
139.) Why is it that Wiesel “could have wept with rage” when his father begs for rest upon arrival at Buchenwald?
- Wiesel is upset with rage because he believes his father is slowly giving in to not surviving, and is slowly giving up on living and on Wiesel, that it is upsetting Wiesel because of all the suffering they endured for nothing.
140.) Why does Elie feel that he is arguing “with death itself”?
- Elie feels that he is arguing with death because it seems that his father can't go on anymore and just wants to die while Elie argues with him to keep living.
141.) Why does Wiesel leave his father when the sirens wail, and how does he feel about this later?
- Wiesel leaves his father because he wants to save himself, and he feels guilty later on because he abandoned him to take care of himself, and he feels the same as Rabbi Eliahu's son.
142.) Is his father angry at Elie for deserting him?
- The father is not angry at Elie for deserting him because Elie's father already accepted death, and just wants his son to survive.
143.) What emotions does Wiesel experience that last week as he watches his father die?
- Wiesel experiences as he watches his father die fear, because his father is dying, guilty, because he couldn't do more to save his father, embarrassed, because his father can't relieve himself and his bunk mates are complaining, ashamed, because he couldn't do more to take care of his father, sad, because his father is dying, and angry, that he is forced to accept his father's death.
144.) Why does Wiesel decide to be an “invalid”?
- Wiesel decides to be an invalid because he knows that his father is in his last moments of his life, and he wants to be with his dad while he slowly passes away.
145.) Why doesn’t he see his father die and why doesn’t he cry?
- He doesn't see his father because his body was taken to the crematorium, and he couldn't cry because he said he was already out of tears.
146.) What are Wiesel’s thoughts during the months after his father’s death?
- Wiesel, after his father's death, didn't care about anything except food and survival for himself, and was completely desensitized.
147.) What would have happened if the children had gone to the assembly place, as ordered?
- The children would have been killed, by instead they were told to go back to the blocks, and hid there.
148.) Why do the SS men flee the camp?
- The underground resistance battled with the SS men and took control of the concentration camp.
149.) What is Wiesel finally freed?
- Wiesel is finally freed when the American tank shows up at the gates.
150.) Why is Wiesel sent to a hospital after his liberation?
- Wiesel is sent to a hospital after his liberation because he had some type of poisoning that left him between life and death.
151.) The book ends with a haunting sense of hollowness. Why do you think the author ends with this tone?
- The author leaves the book with that tone as a way to say that he will never forget what he saw, what he experienced, heard, suffered, and lost in those four years of when he was in the Holocaust.
Comprehension Questions are due Thursday, April 17th - NO LATE WORK FOR "NIGHT" WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER OR AFTER SPRING BREAK!
PREFACE to the NEW TRANSLATION:
1.) Read the preface by Elie Wiesel. Why do you suppose Wiesel imposed a ten-tear vow of silence?
- Wiesel imposed a ten-year vow of silence because he was still in shock, and he was trying to sort his emotions, feelings, as well as in memory for all the people that passed away.
2.) Why did he have trouble finding a publisher?
- He had trouble finding a publisher because it wasn't a popular topic, and it was too sensitive a topic in the 50s and 60s.
3.) What is the “devastation that will never end”?
- The "devastation that will never end" was the memories, experiences, and reflections that he can't forget and not see, reminding him of what happened.
4.) What is Wiesel saying about how we can make sure that something this horrible is never repeated?
- Wiesel says that they can make sure something like the Holocaust never happens again by informing everyone about what happened, hopefully causing people to steer away from the event like the Holocaust in the future.
FOREWARD:
5.) Read the Foreword by Francois Mauriac. Why is Mauriac so moved by Wiesel’s book – of all the Holocaust literature he had seen?
- Mauriac is moved by Wiesel's book because this book is an autobiography/memoir that comes from the point of view of a child, which makes him think it is more genuine. He also thinks that the graphic material included is an authentic representation and memory of what happened during the Holocaust.
6.) How do you explain the “inconceivable passivity” with which the Jews of Sighet yield themselves to the Nazis?
- The Jews had "inconceivable passivity" because they weren't aggressive people, they had hear in their hearts that something bad will happen if they react at all, and they hoped that things would always get better without knowing the actual reality of the Nazis.
7.) What aspects of Wiesel’s experience does Mauriac find most disturbing?
- The experiences that Mauriac found most disturbing are those where Wiesel's mother and sister were being burned to death in a furnace, children and people being hung and transported in cattle cars, as well as the absence of God, who he believes God let something like the Holocaust follow through and happen, which makes him doubt his faith.
NIGHT:
8.) When and where does Elie Wiesel grow up? (city, country and time period) How old is he?
- Ellie grew up in Transylvania, Sighet in the 1900s. He is twelve, almost thirteen years old.
9.) Try to picture Elie’s childhood. How is his childhood like yours and how is it different?
- Ellie is religious, he studies and goes to school. The difference is how Ellie is more religious than I am, and that he grew up in Transylvania, whereas I was born in California.
10.) Who is “Moshe the Beadle” and why does Wiesel begin the story with him?
Moshe the Beadle is Wiesel's religious education mentor and the clown of the town, which makes him not respected. He begins the story with him because it tells how into religion Wiesel is
11.) What do Eliezer’s parents and the other in the community think of Moshe?
- The parents and the community think that Moshe was the clown of the town and don't think much of Moshe at all.
12.) Why does Elie spend so much time with Moshe?
- Ellie spends a lot of time with Moshe because they can talk to other about religion comfortably and because they have a friendly relationship.
13.) What is Elie’s father’s profession?
- Ellie's father is a store owner.
14.) Is Elie’s father highly respected in the Jewish community?
- Ellie's father is well respected in the Jewish community and a lot of people sought him for advice and help.
15.) What has happened to Moshe that caused a great change in him?
- Moshe is forcibly taken out of town to kill him, and somehow he escapes, but he has already watched people dig their own graves and are shot into the holes they buried, as well as babies that are used for targeting practice.
16.) How does this experience change Moshe?
- The experience changes Moshe because he loses faith in God, and he becomes depressed and loses the joy in his eyes.
17.) How does the rest of the community react when he tells them what has happened to him?
- The community reacts by not believing him and thinking that he is lying, delusional, because he wants pity, or because he is going insane or crazy because they don't respect Moshe.
18.) The Jews of Sighet are optimistic because of the news they hear on the radio in late 1942 and 1943. What is the news and why are they so optimistic?
- The news of the daily bombings of Germany and Stalingrad, and the preparation of the Second Front cause them to be optimistic because they thought that people were going to help the Jews and that the war was not going to be a war.
19.) With an ironic tone, Wiesel says, “Besides, people were interested in everything – in strategy, in diplomacy, in politics, in Zionism – but not their own fate.” What does he mean?
- Wiesel means that it was ironic that they had so much do to with the strategy and diplomacy and such with Hitler, but still think that they are exempt from the events and don't believe they are next.
20.) Berkovitz brings news from Budapest that anti-Semitism (hostility or discrimination against Jews) war is rampant. Why then, is “optimism soon revived”?
- They were still optimistic of the situation because they thought that Hitler would stay in Budapest and still think that they are exempt from the events and from Hitler.
21.) Why do “the optimists rejoiced” even three days after the German soldiers appear in Sighet?
- The optimists are jubilant because the Germans are being polite and speaking kindly and thinking that the Germans are befriending the Jews in Sighet.
22.) Why is celebrating Passover like playing a “comedy”?
- Celebrating the Passover is like a comedy because their hearts aren't in the Passover because there are other things going on in the town.
23.) What does the following mean? “On the seventh day of Passover the curtain rose.”
- The quote, "On the seventh day of Passover the curtain rose," means that the Germans arrested the Jewish leaders of the town and suddenly the happiness is gone in the town. Then they enforce three decrees for the Jewish citizens.
24.) Name the decrees (laws) the Germans put into place.
- The first edict was that the Jews were supposed to stay inside their houses for three days, otherwise they will die.
- The second edict was that they had to give away all the money and valuables that they had or they would die.
- The third edict was that all the Jews had to wear a yellow star to signify that they were Jewish.
25.) Describe the ghettos.
- There are two ghettos in Sighet, which are protected by barbed wire, and the Jews are able to govern themselves, rather than the Nazis governing them.
26.) How do the Jews of Sighet generally feel about the ghettos?
- The Jews think that the ghettos are good things because they are living together and they don't have to look at the Nazis anymore, so they feel excluded from the hostile environment, so they enjoy that.
27.) Why do the Jews of Sighet think they are being deported and why is their destination kept secret from them?
- The Jews think they are too close to the fronts, and think they are being protected, so they are being transported to Hungary to work in brick factories.
28.) How could the Jews of Sighet have possibly escaped from the Germans?
- The Jews of Sighet could have possibly escape earlier without the notice of the Germans out of the city.
29.) How do they prepare for deportation?
- They had to prepare their personal belongings, like having one backpack, some food and water, and something small that they felt was important to them,
30.) Why is there “joy” when the signal finally comes for them to leave?
- The Jews think that anything is better than being stranded in the streets under the sun sweating among other people, so they felt joy when they could leave.
31.) How does Elie feel as he watches the procession or deportees?
- Elie feels as he watches the procession distressed that he could see all these people that once shared memories with him, so he felt somewhat nostalgic but mostly distressed.
32.) Who offers Elie and his family safe refuge?
- Maria the maid offers their family safe refuge to her village
33.) Why doesn’t Elie’s father accept the offer?
- Elie's father doesn't accept the offer because he doesn't want to abandon his Jewish community because they look up to him and he is an elder to them, so he feels he also has to share the experiences with them.
34.) On what day of the week is the family expelled and why is this ironic?
- They are being expelled on Saturday, which is ironic because one the day they are supposed to be resting, they are being forcibly removed by the Germans to a new community.
35.) They spend 24 hours in a synagogue. What are the conditions like? Give examples.
- The conditions in the synagogue were messy and horrendous. The german soldiers destroyed the synagogue, like the altar that was shattered and the wall coverings shredded. They were also separated by gender, the men being downstairs, and the woman upstairs
36.) How are the Jews moved out of Sighet?
- The Jews were compacted into cattle cars, and a cattle car would have eighty people in one car.
37.) Why do you suppose no one tries to escape?
- No one tries to escape because they are scared to get shot and die.
38.) Why does the Hungarian lieutenant move among the prisoners with a basket?
- The Hungarian lieutenant was trying to take any valuables, like gold and silver, that the Jews had left.
39.) What actions do “those who no longer wished to taste the bitterness of terror” take?
- The actions that the Jews take were that they tried to calm her down and defend her. They were being compliant and obediant to protect Madame Schachter.
40.) Who is Madame Schachter and why is she so upset?
- She was a Jewish lady that lost her mind and was upset because she was accidenty separated from her husband and two other sons, though she did have one son with her.
41.) How do the others treat her and why?
- The others, after she continued to scream and would not calm down, tied her up and gagged her so they can't hear her scream anymore. They treat her like this because she was screaming and terrifying everyone in the cattle car
42.) What is the first thing the prisoners see when they got to Birkenau?
- The see the chimney, with the smoke and fire rising from the chimney when they see the Birkenau
43.) What do they smell?
- They smell burning flesh, which means that they are burning bodies.
44.) Who are the SS men?
- The SS men are soldiers of the German Army at the internment camps.
45.) How do Elie and his father get separated from Mother and Tzipora?
- They get separated because the lines were formed and separated by gender.
46.) What is Elie’s last memory of them?
- Elie's last memory of them is when his mother strokes Tzipora's hair, as if to protect her and calm her down.
47.) Why do some of the younger men want to attempt an escape?
- They do not want to go to the crematorium and be burned. They feel like they should not be treated like this and don't want to die this way.
48.) Why don’t they go through with it?
- Their elders persuade them not to be foolish and cause a revolt, and rather be optimistic.
49.) What lies do Elie and his father tell to Dr. Mengale and why?
- Elie and his father like to Dr. Mengale by lying about their age and occupation so he won't know their true identity.
50.) Why does Elie’s father wish Elie has gone with his mother and why is this ironic?
- Elie's father wishes Elie would go to his mom because so he would be safe with his mom, and that he didn't want to see his only son die. It is ironic because he didn't take the chance to save his family when Maria offered refuge, but not he wants to save his son.
51.) What do you suppose Elie would say to those who claim that innocent children were not murdered during the Holocaust?
- Elie would say that children were being murdered, because he himself saw children and babies being thrown into the fire and people and families being killed, just like his mother and his sister.
52.) What is the Kaddish and why doesn’t’ Elie join his father in reciting it?
- The Kaddish is a prayer to respect the dead, and Elie doesn't join his father in reciting it because he doesn't want to believe that they are going to die, so he decides not to say it because he still has the hope that he will survive.
53.) How do the prisoners who are already in the barracks treat the newcomers?
- The prisoners who are already in the barracks are mean and unwelcoming to the newcomers, already striking them with sticks and telling them to strip.
54.) What are Elie and the others ordered to do?
- Elie and the others were ordered to strip their clothes and hold on to their belts and shoes, and then were ordered to go to the barber to be shaved.
55.) How does Elie change by the end of the first night? (physically, emotionally, and spirirtually)
- Elie changes because he thinks that he lost his soul, gave up hope, and gave up on God and faith and wondering why God is letting everything happen.
56.) How does Elie keep his his shoes from the “Kapos” at first?
- He hides his shoes because his shoes were already in the mud, so the mud makes the shoes look dirty and makes it look older.
57.) According to the SS officer, what is the only way to avoid the furnaces?
- The only way to avoid the furnaces, according to the SS officer, was to either work or you would go to the furnace.
58.) Why does the gypsy strike Elie’s father and how does Elie react?
- He strikes him because Elie's father asks to go to the bathroom. Elie reacts by standing there silently because he's scared and petrified at what might happen. He is also desensitized in his feelings, so he doesn't react at all.
59.) To what new camp are the prisoners taken?
- The prisoners are taken to a concentration camp in Auschwitz.
60.) Who is in charge of the block and what is his advice?
- A young Polish man is in charge of the block, and he gives the advice to help each other to survive the camps.
61.) How does Elie become “A-7713”?
- Elie becomes that number so they can role call, and not use their names because it would refer to the Jews as people.
62.) Describe “roll call”.
- In role call, an orchestra comes out and play music in the role call. There area tens of thousands of inmates in ranks that are being checked to make sure no one is missing.
63.) Who is Stein and why does Elie lie to him?
- Stein is a relative of Elie's father, and Elie lies to Stein to make him feel better and give him hope, rather than destroy him by saying that his wife and kids are dead.
64.) Why does Stein stop coming to see Elie?
- Steins stops coming to see Elie because he realized the real news, and that Elie lied to them, so he was in despair and lost hope, so he doesn't go to see Elie and his father anymore.
65.) Akiba Drumer believes that God is testing the Jews and that this punishment they are enduring is actually a sign of love. What does Elie think of this theory?
- Elie thinks of the theory that it was wrong and doesn't believe it, and ceased to pray, denying His absolute justice, but not denying His existence.
66.) How could Elie have bribed the assistant to arrange for him to go with his father to a “good unit”?
- Elie could have given the assistant his shoes so he could go with his father to a "good unit"
67.) Why doesn’t he try the bribe?
- He doesn't bribe because the shoes are the only things he has left, and he questions the assistant whether the guy could actually do what he offers.
68.) Where is music played in the camp?
- The music is played in the entrance of the camp, the "first block."
69.) Why can’t the musicians play Beethoven?
- The musicians couldn't play Beethoven because he was a German composer, and the Jews were not allowed to play any German music.
70.) Why is Elie sent to the dentist?
- Elie is sent to the dentist because they want to take his gold teeth.
71.) Why is he so desperate to keep his tooth and why doesn’t he succeed in keeping it?
- Elie is desparate to keep his tooth because he feels like it might be able to help him in the future to buy something, and it is the last of his worldly possessions.
72.) Who beats Elie in front of the French girl and why?
- Idek beats Elie in front of the French girl because Elie was just there. Elie did not do anything wrong, just that he was there made Idek beat him up
73.) Why is she afraid to speak to him?
- She is afraid to speak to him because she was paralyzed with fear, not wanting herself or Elie to be in more trouble and get beat up also
74.) What advice does she give to Elie and what does this show about her?
- The French girl tells Elie to hold his anger and rage, and wait it out for another day when he can release it.
75.) Why does Idek beat Elie’s father?
- Idek beats Elie's father because Idek lost control, and he didn't think that Elie's father was not working hard enough.
76.) Why is Elie angry at his father for getting beaten?
- Elie is angry at his father because his father wasn't trying to keep up and wasn't trying to avoid Idek's wrath.
77.) Why does Elie give his father “marching lessons”?
- Elie gives his father "marching lessons" because his father doesn't know how to march in place and Franek keeps beating Elie's father to get revenge at Elie for not giving Franek his gold crown.
78.) Why does Elie laugh at Idek and what is the result?
- Elie laughs at Idek because he saw Idek send the whole kommando away just to take advantage of a young polish girl who has no choice but to relent it. The result was that Idek marched up to Elie, grabbed his throat, and threaten him.
79.) What do the air raid sirens signify?
- The air raid sirens signify that there would be a bombing and an air raid at the camp at Buna.
80.) Why is this a particularly dangerous time for prisoners?
- This is particularly dangerous time for prisoners because if the bomb goes off, tons of prisoners would die, while the SS officers would be alive because they are underground.
81.) How is “terror stronger than hunger”?
- The fear is greater than hunger because they do not want to commit suicide or get punished just over some soup, which he might not even achieve, especially since he was just whipped 25 times.
82.) How does the death of that one man affect Elie and how does he react when the air raid is over?
- The death of that one man doesn't affect Elie at all, as he has no reaction over the death, and he reacts like the entire intermission, the "air raid," was just a daily break in his life.
83.) Who are some of the people who die on the gallows?
- A person who died on the gallows was the young boy, who was put to death because he stole during the air raid. Another person was the pipel, who was condemned for stealing weapons and arms.
84.) What phrase so many repeat before their deaths?
- The phrase was "Long live Liberty."
85.) Why are people hanged rather than being shot or killed some other way?
- People are hanged because it is painful and haunting for the prisoners to see, and fear even more because of how they can see the life and breath taken out from the victims.
86.) Whose death affects Elie the most and why?
- The death of the pipel affects Elie the most because he is a younger innocent child, and it also makes Elie doubt his faith and ask where is God.
87.) Why does Elie find the soup “excellent” after one execution, but tasting of “corpses” after another?
- Elie says the first soup tastes excellent because it was usual and was thankful that Elie didn't die, but the second time, he felt it tasted like corpses because he realizes that Elie could have been hanged too, and that the soldiers and the army had no limitations to who they would kill.
88.) What is Rosh Hashanah?
- Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year.
89.) Why do you suppose even “Kapos, functionaries of death” come to the Rosh Hashanah service?
- The Kapos might have attended the Rosh Hashanah to supervise the Jews, and to participate in the service and be faithful in their own way, even though they don't believe in the faith.
90.) What is going through Elie’s mind?
- In Elie's mind, he was losing faith during the service. He believed that he was alone now, that he was defeated, and now he was just a body of ashes walking around.
91.) Is Elie in the minority when he “rebelled” inwardly and why does he call the place where the Jews meet to pray a “mirage”?
- The Jews think they see hope, but Elie doesn't. Elie instead rebels against his faith inwardly, and is in the minority when he does so.
92.) What does Elie mean when he says of his father, “We had never understood each other so clearly”?
- Elie means that they understood that they are thankful that they still have each other and love each other, as well as both of them are afraid of what might happen and what could have happened.
93.) What is Yom Kippur?
- Yom Kippur is a day atonement when Jews fast.
94.) Why doesn’t Elie fast?
- Elie doesn't fast because he is already starving, and because it is a rebellious protest against God, asking God where he is and why he is allowing everything to happen.
95.) What is the “fine New Year’s gift” the SS gives the prisoners?
- The SS gives the prisoners, as a New Year's gift, the selection.
96.) What advice does Elie get from the head of the block about avoiding selection?
- Elie gets the advice to run as fast as he can, to run forward, and give yourself some color so that you look healthy and not pale and frail.
97.) What does Wiesel mean when he says, as the prisoners stand naked, “This must show how one stands at the last judgment”?
- Wiesel means that he thinks that the selection is similar to what the last judgement, going to heaven or hell, would be like.
98.) What is Dr. Mengele’s attitude during the “selection”?
- Dr. Mengele's attitude during the selection was like it was all a game. He forces the inmates to do silly tricks, and grins and smiles every once and a while.
99.) What are Elie’s thoughts as he goes through the “race”?
- Elie's head is spinning and thinks about how he is too skinny or too weak, and repeats these thoughts and continues running, hoping that he could pass the selection.
100.) What sorts of “presents” and “inheritance” gifts does Wiesel’s father give Elie and why?
- Wiesel's father gives Elie a half ration of bread to eat and a piece of rubber that could be used to repair a shoe. He also gave Elie a knife that he doesn't use anyway, and a spoon as inheritance.
101.) Why does Elie return them to his father?
- Elie returns the inheritance because his father is still alive and proved that he was still able to work, so he returns his inheritance because it shows that his father is still alive and did not pass away.
102.) What does this show about how life changes when mere survival is a struggle?
- This shows about how life changes when survival is a struggle because those kind of survival tools are a major gift because they realize that it could mean life or death as well.
103.) What happens to many of the prisoners when they lose faith?
- When the prisoners lose faith, they also lose hope and strength to fight and work. When they lose faith, they succumb to defeat, and usually die to selection afterwards.
104.) Why does Wiesel tell the story of Akiba Dumer – and how everyone forgets to say the Kaddish for him?
- Wiesel tells the story of Akiba Dumer because it was a perfect example of what happened when someone lost their faith. They were losing their selves, their community, and their brotherhood, like when they forgot to say the Kaddish for Akiba.
105.) How does Wiesel end up in the hospital?
- Wiesel's right food began to swell from the cold or from infection. So they decide to operate on it.
106.) What decision is Wiesel faced with while he is in the hospital?
- Wisel is faced with the decision that if he should leave the hospital, or wait it out and stay and fully recover.
107.) What is Elie’s choice and why does he choose this option?
- Elie chooses to stay and fully recover because he doesn't trust the neighbor, and he likes it at the hospital. He's getting rest, food, water, no bells, and no work.
108.) Why is the camp being evacuated?
- The camp is being evacuated because the Red Army was coming towards the concentration camps, and the battle front was getting too close.
109.) Why do the prisoners want the Russians to arrive first?
- The prisoners want the Russians to arrive first because they believe that they will rescue and liberate the Jews from the concentrations camps and from Hitler, since they will be dead anyway or be forced to fight.
110.) What is meant by the question the prisoners ask: “were they (SS) going to let the Jews hear the twelfth stroke sound?”
-The question the prisoners asked meant if the patients in the infirmary would be executed and thrown into the furnace at midnight, or if they were going to be allowed to stay alive.
111.) How does the “face of the camp” change on the morning of the evacuation?
- The mood of the camp chances on the morning of the evacuation when they get more food, more clothing, and it basically turns into a free-for-all for survival.
112.) Why does the head of the block order the prisoners to clean the floor, and how do you think the prisoners feel about this task?
- The head of the block orders the prisoners to clean the floor because they want the Russian army, when they arrive, to know that men lived in the area, not pigs, and the prisoners guess that now they are considered men, even if they are treated like pigs.
113.) Reread the description of the evacuation at the end of the chapter. Why does the author choose to use a series of short sentences in this passage? What is the effect?
- The authors uses a series of short sentences in the passage so the reader can relate and feel what the characters are going through, because in the moment, everything was happening so fast.
114.) What does Wiesel mean by the observations of the SS men “Their fingers on the triggers, they did not deprive themselves of this pleasure”?
- Wiesel means by the observations of the SS men that they would shoot anyone that could not keep up the pace, and the SS officers are still in charge even though they are evacuating when Wiesel sees that their fingers are on the triggers constantly.
115.) What is sadism and where do you see evidence of it in the novel?
- Sadism means of having the pleasure to inflict pain or sadness towards others or oneself, and it is seen when:
- the SS officers do not show mercy towards the running prisoners during the night, and their fingers always on the trigger, "they did not deprive themselves of this pleasure."
- not feeding the sick people
- Idek, when he just randomly beats up people
- the doctor that doesn't help at all Elie's dying father.
116.) What happens to Zalman?
- Zalman has stomach pains, and he takes his pants off probably to relieve the pain, but then falls over on the ground and dies just because of being trampled over by the thousands of people that are marching forward.
117.) In what way are Wiesel and the other Jews who keep rushing onward “masters of nature” -then in the morning “without strength, without illusions”?
- Wiesel and the other Jews were "masters of nature" because they have gone through so much and are so desensitized that they become strong against abuse and the harsh environment. Then in the morning, they were without strength because they were running all night and became exhausted after the harsh run.
118.) How do Wiesel and his father help each other stay alive?
- Wiesel and his father help each other stay alive by looking out for each other and keeping each other awake so they both don't go to sleep.
119.) Why does Wiesel tell the story of Rabbi Eliahou?
- Wiesel tells the story of Rabbi Eliahou because the story shows what would happen if Wiesel and his father would be separated.
120.) Why is he glad that the rabbi “should continue to look for his beloved son”?
- Wiesel is glad that the rabbi continues to look for his beloved son because since it mirrors Wiesel's relationship with his father, it gives him the peace of mind that his father would search for him if Wiesel would be separated or lost.
121.) Why do you think that “sons abandoned their fathers’ remains without a tear”?
- I think that the sons abandoned their fathers' like that because they might feel that their fathers are holding them back, or they are used to it, or because they can't do anything about it.
122.) How does Wiesel avoid suffocation?
- Wiesel avoids suffocation when he separates the bodies above him and makes himself an air hole to breathe through.
123.) Why does Wiesel think he is hallucinating?
- Wiesel thinks he is hallucinating because he hears the music and the violin in a terrible situation, so he assumes immediately he is hallucinating.
124.) Why is Juliek playing his violin in this terrible situation?
- Juliek is playing the violin in this terrible situation because he plays it for the dead, and for himself because he knows that either the violin is either going to be taken away, or he dies, so he would rather die happy.
125.) What happens to Juliek
- Juliek ends up dead on the floor next to his trampled violin.
126.) How does Wiesel’s father avoid being “selected” at Gleiwitz and why does Wiesel run after him to the left?
- Wiesel's father avoids being "selected" by being taken by Wiesel and crossed over to the right side, where all the healthy people were, during the confusion. Wiesel runs off after his father to the left so he won't be separated by him and so he can save him.
127.) How does Wiesel convey a sense of hopelessness in this final section of the book?
- Wiesel conveys a sense of hopelessness in the section of the book because he gives the impression that everyone is waiting to die because there is nothing to live for.
128.) Why do the two men try to throw Wiesel’s father from the carriage?
- The two men tried to through Wiesel's father out the carriage because he looked dead and was barely breathing.
129.) Why do the living “rejoice” when the order comes to throw out the corpses?
- The living rejoice because they would have more room because the corpses would not take unneeded space.
130.) What is the author trying to say about the prisoners at this point?
- The author tries to say about the prisoners that they act like animals, only caring for themselves, and taking whatever they can get.
131.) How do the prisoners in the wagon act like animals?
- They only care for themselves and act selfishly against each other, not helping each other out, basically making the prisoners playing a free-for-all in survival.
132.) Why do the German workmen take a “lively interest in this spectacle” when they have merely stopped and stared at marching prisoners before?
- The German workmen take an interest now because it is their way of making fun of the hungry Jews. The German workmen don't sympathize or empathize with the Jews, so they make fun of them.
133.) Why doesn’t Wiesel join in this scramble for food?
- Wiesel doesn't join to scramble for food because he knows he is not strong enough to fight for some bread.
134.) How are Meir and his son similar to other fathers and sons Wiesel describes?
- Meir and his son are similar to other fathers and sons because those relationships only have the fathers providing the love and support, while the sons become selfish and don't return the love to their fathers.
135.) What is the author saying about how the concentration camp affects the bonds between loved ones?
- The family bonds change by becoming closer to help each other to survive, or grow father because some decide to survive on their own without their family.
136.) How does Meir Katz save Elie Wiesel’s life?
- Meir Kats pries and stops Elie's attacker when the attacker tries to suffocate Elie.
137.) What advice does Wiesel’s father give Katz in an attempt to save him?
- Wiesel's father tells Katz to not give up. He told him to continue to resist and not to lose faith in himself.
139.) Why is it that Wiesel “could have wept with rage” when his father begs for rest upon arrival at Buchenwald?
- Wiesel is upset with rage because he believes his father is slowly giving in to not surviving, and is slowly giving up on living and on Wiesel, that it is upsetting Wiesel because of all the suffering they endured for nothing.
140.) Why does Elie feel that he is arguing “with death itself”?
- Elie feels that he is arguing with death because it seems that his father can't go on anymore and just wants to die while Elie argues with him to keep living.
141.) Why does Wiesel leave his father when the sirens wail, and how does he feel about this later?
- Wiesel leaves his father because he wants to save himself, and he feels guilty later on because he abandoned him to take care of himself, and he feels the same as Rabbi Eliahu's son.
142.) Is his father angry at Elie for deserting him?
- The father is not angry at Elie for deserting him because Elie's father already accepted death, and just wants his son to survive.
143.) What emotions does Wiesel experience that last week as he watches his father die?
- Wiesel experiences as he watches his father die fear, because his father is dying, guilty, because he couldn't do more to save his father, embarrassed, because his father can't relieve himself and his bunk mates are complaining, ashamed, because he couldn't do more to take care of his father, sad, because his father is dying, and angry, that he is forced to accept his father's death.
144.) Why does Wiesel decide to be an “invalid”?
- Wiesel decides to be an invalid because he knows that his father is in his last moments of his life, and he wants to be with his dad while he slowly passes away.
145.) Why doesn’t he see his father die and why doesn’t he cry?
- He doesn't see his father because his body was taken to the crematorium, and he couldn't cry because he said he was already out of tears.
146.) What are Wiesel’s thoughts during the months after his father’s death?
- Wiesel, after his father's death, didn't care about anything except food and survival for himself, and was completely desensitized.
147.) What would have happened if the children had gone to the assembly place, as ordered?
- The children would have been killed, by instead they were told to go back to the blocks, and hid there.
148.) Why do the SS men flee the camp?
- The underground resistance battled with the SS men and took control of the concentration camp.
149.) What is Wiesel finally freed?
- Wiesel is finally freed when the American tank shows up at the gates.
150.) Why is Wiesel sent to a hospital after his liberation?
- Wiesel is sent to a hospital after his liberation because he had some type of poisoning that left him between life and death.
151.) The book ends with a haunting sense of hollowness. Why do you think the author ends with this tone?
- The author leaves the book with that tone as a way to say that he will never forget what he saw, what he experienced, heard, suffered, and lost in those four years of when he was in the Holocaust.