Night by Elie Wiesel Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Immediately after the Jews were unloaded from the train, what do the German officers do?

They separate the men, children, and women.

What did Dr. Josef Mengele do when the men marched before him?

Mengele asked their age, health, and profession to sort out the young, weak, and useless.

What did another prisoner say would happen to Elie's group?

They would be burned.

What did the older people counsel the younger men who wanted to rush the guards?

Don't give up hope. Signup and view all the answers

What did Elie witness while standing in line?

Babies thrown into the flames. Signup and view all the answers

What was Elie's reaction to what he saw?

Disbelief, numbness. Signup and view all the answers

How is the artistry achieved when Wiesel and his father approach the inferno?

The chanting of Raddish, counted steps. Signup and view all the answers

What did Elie revolt against?

His God. Signup and view all the answers

What phrase does Elie use to emphasize his point?

Never shall I forget..... Signup and view all the answers

List the things that Wiesel says he shall never forget.

First night, smoke, children, faces, flames. Signup and view all the answers

What images are used frequently throughout 'Night'?

Night, flames, darkness, Germans, sun, despair. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Elie and his father after they were spared from the flames?

Stripped, shaved, gave prisoners clothing. Signup and view all the answers

What natural sign marked the beginning of the next day after Elie's first night at Auschwitz?

Morning star. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Elie berate himself so severely?

He was mad at himself for not doing anything. He didn't react. Signup and view all the answers

Where was Elie and his father marched to?

They marched to Auschwitz. Signup and view all the answers

What was Elie's first impression of Auschwitz?

It was better than Birkenau, with 2 story cement buildings and gardens. Signup and view all the answers

What was unusual about the prisoner in charge of their barracks?

Optimistic and somewhat human. Nice, treated them with respect. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the prisoners during a last step in their admission process?

They were tattooed with numbers and stripped of their identity. Signup and view all the answers

Who did Elie meet after several days at the camp?

He met his relative Stein, his mother's cousin's husband from Antwerp. Signup and view all the answers

What did Stein want?

Stein wanted to see how his family was. Signup and view all the answers

How did Elie respond to Stein's request for information?

He told them they were fine, which was a lie because he hadn't heard from them. Signup and view all the answers

How did Elie and his father avoid being transported?

They never signed up as skilled workers. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the prisoner in charge of their block replaced?

He was too kind. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Stein disappear?

He found out the truth about his family. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Jews see their religion and how did Elie feel about God?

They said their God worked in mysterious ways. Elie ceased to pray. He doubted God's justice. Signup and view all the answers

Finally, where were Elie and his father moved?

Buna. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Arrival at Auschwitz

Upon arrival, German officers separated men, women, and children.
Men marched before Dr. Josef Mengele, who assessed them based on age, health, and profession to determine who was deemed "useless."

Immediate Threats

A prisoner warned Elie's group that they would be burned.
Older prisoners advised against rushing the guards, encouraging them to hold onto hope.

Traumatic Experiences

Elie witnessed horrific acts, including babies being thrown into flames, leading to feelings of disbelief and numbness.

Emotional Impact

Elie's struggle with his faith intensified, culminating in a revolt against God.
The phrase "Never shall I forget…" was frequently repeated to emphasize key traumatic memories.
Elie listed what he would never forget: the first night, smoke, children, faces, and flames.

Imagery and Symbolism

Consistent imagery throughout "Night" includes themes of night, flames, darkness, and despair, contrasting with the sun.

Processing at Auschwitz

Elie and his father were stripped, shaved, and given prisoners’ clothing, marking their loss of identity.
The natural sign of the morning star signified the beginning of a new day, as Elie felt he was no longer a child.

Regret and Self-Reflection

Elie expressed self-reproach for his inaction during the initial chaos of arrival and processing.

Life in the Camp

Elie’s first impression of Auschwitz was that it seemed better than Birkenau, featuring two-story cement buildings and gardens.
The prisoner in charge of their barracks was unusually optimistic and treated the inmates with respect.

Identity Stripped Away

Prisoners underwent a final admission step, being tattooed with numbers, signifying the complete loss of personal identity.

Connections and Lies

Elie encountered Stein, his relative, and lied about the well-being of his family due to incomplete knowledge.
To avoid being transported, Elie and his father did not sign up as skilled workers.

Shifts in Leadership

The prisoner in charge of their block was replaced for being too kind, reflecting a system that viewed humanity as a liability.

The Despair of Information

Stein disappeared after learning the truth about his family's fate, highlighting the pervasive despair among the prisoners.

Crisis of Faith

The Jewish prisoners grappled with their faith, claiming their God worked in mysterious ways, while Elie ceased to pray and questioned divine justice.

Final Movement

Elie and his father were ultimately moved to Buna, continuing their harrowing journey through the Holocaust.

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Description

This quiz focuses on key events and characters from the book 'Night' by Elie Wiesel. Test your understanding of the harrowing experiences faced by the Jews during the Holocaust, particularly during their arrival at concentration camps. Answer questions about the actions of German officers and the fate of Elie's group.