Night Chapters 1-9 Study Guide

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Questions and Answers

Who is Moishe the Beadle?

He was poor and lived in utter penury. He was awkward and shy. He had wide, dreamy eyes. He teaches Eliezer about Jewish mysticism.

How old is Elie when the story begins?

12, almost 13.

What connection do Moishe the Beadle and Elie have?

Moishe was like a mentor to Elie, interested in religious teachings and encouraged Elie to ask questions about religion.

When all the foreign Jews were expelled from Sighet, what was the initial reaction?

They say, 'What do you expect? That's war...' They were fed propaganda that the people who were removed were happy and treated well. Signup and view all the answers

When Moishe the Beadle returns, what story does he relate? How do people react?

Moishe tells them about how babies are used for target practice and how they had to dig the graves they were to be buried in. No one believes him and tells him that he's crazy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Jews' initial reaction to the German soldiers?

They think that they're polite. Signup and view all the answers

What edicts did the Germans place upon the Jewish community?

Unable to leave their residences for three days, unable to own gold, jewelry, or any valuables, forced to wear a yellow star of David, unable to go to restaurants, travel by train, attend synagogue, and being out after 6pm. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Ghettos.

It was similar to a town aside from the barbed wire that encircles them. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the expulsion from the ghettos.

The smaller ghetto is expelled first, and Elie compares the emptied houses to open tombs. Within a few days, the rest of the Jews, including Elie's family, are deported. Signup and view all the answers

What does Maria, the former maid, offer to the Wiesel family? Do they accept?

She offered to hide them, but the Wiesel family refused to hide. Signup and view all the answers

What were the conditions in the cattle car like?

The cattle cars were jam-packed, there was very little air, and it was extremely hot. Everyone was very thirsty. Signup and view all the answers

What does the quote mean: 'Our eyes opened. Too late.'?

They realized that they should have listened to those who warned them about escaping. Now it was too late. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Mrs. Schachter. What does she keep seeing/screaming?

Madame Schachter saw fire and flames in her vision. Signup and view all the answers

What do the other passengers do with this information?

They initially think she is mad, attempt to calm her down, but eventually resort to violence against her. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think they react this way?

It reveals that human nature can resort to violence when faced with fear or uncertainty. Signup and view all the answers

When the train arrives in __________ what do the passengers see?

Birkenau Signup and view all the answers

Mrs. Schachter's screaming from before can now be viewed as what literary element?

Foreshadowing. Signup and view all the answers

How do Elie and his father save their lives at the initial selection?

They lie about their ages. Signup and view all the answers

Why do the young men with knives decide not to revolt?

The older men beg them not to be foolish and tell them to rely on the wisdom of earlier sages. Signup and view all the answers

What horrific sight does Elie encounter being thrown in the burning ditch?

Babies being thrown into the burning ditch. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Moishe the Beadle and Eliezer

Moishe the Beadle is portrayed as poor, awkward, and shy, with wide, dreamy eyes; he becomes a mentor to Eliezer.
Moishe introduces Eliezer to Jewish mysticism, prompting him to explore deeper religious questions.

Elie's Age and Initial Reactions

Eliezer is 12, almost 13, when the narrative begins.
When foreign Jews are expelled from Sighet, the community responds dismissively, believing them to be safe and content due to propaganda.

Moishe's Return and Warnings

Moishe recounts horrific experiences of atrocities committed against Jews, including babies being used for target practice, but the people in Sighet dismiss him as crazy.

Perceptions of German Soldiers

The Jewish community initially views German soldiers as polite and kind.

German Edicts Against Jews

Germans impose strict measures: Jews cannot leave homes for three days, own valuables, or use public facilities.
Jews must wear a yellow Star of David and are restricted from being out after 6 PM.

Life in the Ghettos

Ghettos resemble neighborhoods but are surrounded by barbed wire, highlighting the confinement of Jews.

Expulsion and Deportation

The removal from ghettos is described as systematic; the smaller ghetto is cleared first, leaving houses similar to open tombs.
Elie's family experiences the final deportation in cramped cattle wagons, packed with eighty people each.

Refusal to Hide

Maria, the former maid, offers to hide the Wiesel family, but they decline her help, demonstrating misplaced trust in their situation.

Conditions During Deportation

Cattle cars are overcrowded, allowing little space for movement and scarce air, with intense heat and thirst plaguing the passengers.

Realization of Danger

The phrase "Our eyes opened. Too late." reflects their regret for not heeding warnings and now facing their grim fate.

Madame Schachter's Visions

Mrs. Schachter frequently screams about fire, indicating a presence of danger.

Passenger Reactions to Schachter

Initially dismissed as mad, the other passengers resort to violence when they fail to calm her, demonstrating a disturbing aspect of human nature under stress.

Arrival at Birkenau

Upon arrival at Birkenau, Jews witness chimneys and furnaces, accompanied by the horrific smell of burning flesh, indicating the reality of their dire situation.

Literary Foreshadowing

Madame Schachter's screams foreshadow the imminent horrors that await the passengers.

Survival at Selection

Eliezer and his father manage to survive the initial selection process by lying about their ages.

Restraint Against Revolt

Young men with knives refrain from revolt against their captors after being persuaded by older men to heed wisdom rather than act impulsively.

Encounter with Atrocities

Elie witnesses horrific scenes, such as babies being thrown into burning ditches, illustrating unimaginable cruelty.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the first nine chapters of 'Night' by Elie Wiesel, exploring key characters and themes. Test your understanding of the text with questions about crucial figures and relationships in the story. Perfect for study preparation and deeper comprehension of Holocaust literature.