Night Chapter 5-9 Flashcards

Yom Kippur Debate

• Prisoners debated whether to observe Yom Kippur by fasting, despite enduring constant hunger.

New Year "Gift"

• The Germans planned a selection process, targeting weakened prisoners for deportation to crematoria.

Head of the Block's Advice

• To enhance their chances against selection, prisoners were advised to appear healthier, move quickly, avoid the S.S., and not show fear.

Friend's Joke

• When Elie was not selected, a friend joked he was too fast for the S.S. to notice his number.

Assurance Post-Selection

• The block leader falsely assured that nothing would happen to anyone, attempting to calm the prisoners after selections.

Prisoners Remaining in Camp

• A group of prisoners was told to remain in camp, consisting of those whose numbers were chosen during the selection.

Fate of Selected Men

• Selected prisoners were to undergo a second round of selection.

Elie's Inheritance

• Elie received his father’s knife and spoon, which he referred to ironically as his inheritance.

Elie’s Father's Situation

• Elie's father managed to demonstrate his usefulness, allowing him to escape the second selection.

Akiba Drumer's Selection

• Akiba Drumer was chosen for selection due to his loss of faith in God, which diminished his will to survive.

Kaddish Request

• Akiba asked fellow prisoners to recite Kaddish for him three days after his passing, following Jewish customs.

Elie's Health During Winter

• Elie's foot swelled painfully in the cold, necessitating a doctor's examination.

Doctor's Diagnosis

• The doctor recommended an operation to prevent potential amputation of Elie's toes or leg.

Outcome of Elie's Operation

• The surgery was successful, involving only the drainage of an infection without amputating any part of his foot.

Rumors of Liberation

• Two days post-operation, rumors spread that the Red Army was advancing on Buna, instilling hope among the prisoners.

Significance of Rumors

• The prospect of liberation by the Russian Army generated hope for the prisoners, unlike previous false alarms.

Hospital Neighbor's Skepticism

• Elie's neighbor believed that all Jews would perish before any liberation occurred, refusing to indulge in false hopes.

Evacuation Announcement

• The prisoners learned they would be evacuated to an undisclosed location within Germany, leading to distress.

Decision on Evacuation

• Elie and his father opted to evacuate with the other prisoners instead of remaining in the hospital.

Fate of Those in the Hospital

• After the war, Elie discovered that those who stayed in the hospital were liberated by the Russians two days later.

S.S. Guards Orders

• S.S. guards were instructed to shoot anyone who could not maintain the pace during the night run.

Use of Personification

• Elie’s expression "Death wrapped itself around me" exemplifies personification, attributing human qualities to the concept of death.