Madame Schächter Quiz and Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are the conditions like inside the cattle wagons?

The conditions are horrible, cramped, and nervous. There is no room to sit, it's very hot and stinky.

Describe Madame Schachter's situation.

Madame Schachter was having dreams and visions of the future in concentration camps. She had been separated from her husband before the car.

What is it that Madame Schachter thinks she sees?

She thinks she saw a giant fire, smoke, and a furnace.

What is the effect of Madame Schachter's screams on the passengers in the cattle wagon?

The people in the car with her got annoyed and began to beat her when she wouldn't shut up. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think the reaction of Madame Schachter's son upset Elie so much?

Elie had never seen an adult so upset that she wouldn't listen to her own son, and it scared him. Signup and view all the answers

What is the final destination of the cattle wagons?

The cattle wagons arrive at Birkenau. Signup and view all the answers

What does Wiesel mean when he writes, 'Our eyes were open, but too late'?

It means they realized too late that this horrible situation was taking place. They were being relocated from Czechoslovakia into Hungary. Signup and view all the answers

Describe what is happening to Mrs. Schachter.

She is going hysterical because she lost her husband and two sons, is hungry and thirsty, and is having hallucinations of fire. Signup and view all the answers

How do some of the people try to keep Mrs. Schachter quiet? Why do you think they treat her this way?

They tie her up and beat her to try and quiet her. They fear that if she doesn’t stop screaming, someone could come and hurt them all. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the place at which they arrive?

Birkenau. Signup and view all the answers

How do Mrs. Schachter's visions become a reality?

They arrive at Birkenau where fires were coming out of a chimney smelling like burning flesh. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Conditions in the Cattle Wagons

Cramped environment, leaving no space to sit.
Extremely hot and unpleasant, filled with odors.

Madame Schachter's Experience

She is separated from her husband, causing distress.
Experiences visions of a grim future in concentration camps.

Visions of Fire

Madame Schachter reacts to perceived sights of a large fire and smoke, prompting her to scream.

Impact of Her Screams

Passengers react with annoyance; some physically assault her to silence her.

Elie's Reaction

Elie is disturbed by Madame Schachter's son's despair, highlighting the profound effect of adult helplessness.

Arrival at Birkenau

The cattle wagons reach Birkenau, marking a significant location in their ordeal.

Realization of Circumstances

"Our eyes were open, but too late" signifies the late understanding of their dire predicament as they are transported from Czechoslovakia to Hungary.

Mrs. Schachter's Breakdown

Hysteria arises from profound loss; she is disoriented, hallucinating about fire, and suffers from basic needs being unmet.

Treatment of Mrs. Schachter

Passengers resort to binding and beating her to quiet her, driven by fear that her outbursts might lead to danger for them all.

Name of Arrival Spot

The group arrives at Birkenau, a critical site in their journey.

Fulfillment of Mrs. Schachter's Visions

Her foreseen horrors manifest upon arrival; the sight and smell of smoke and burning flesh confirm her ominous predictions.

Description

Test your understanding of Chapter 2 from Elie Wiesel's 'Night' with these flashcard questions. Explore the dire conditions faced by the Jews during their transport and the harrowing experiences of characters like Madame Schachter. This quiz will help reinforce key themes and details from the chapter.