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?
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When Moishe the Beadle returns, what story does he relate? How do people react?
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What is the Jews' initial reaction to the German soldiers?
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What edicts did the Germans place upon the Jewish community?
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Describe the Ghettos.
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Describe the expulsion from the ghettos.
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What does Maria, the former maid, offer to the Wiesel family? Do they accept?
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What were the conditions in the cattle car like?
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What does the quote mean: 'Our eyes opened. Too late.'?
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Describe Mrs. Schachter. What does she keep seeing/screaming?
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What do the other passengers do with this information?
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Why do you think they react this way?
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When the train arrives in __________ what do the passengers see?
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Mrs. Schachter's screaming from before can now be viewed as what literary element?
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How do Elie and his father save their lives at the initial selection?
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Why do the young men with knives decide not to revolt?
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What horrific sight does Elie encounter being thrown in the burning ditch?
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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.