Night Characters Flashcards

Study Notes

Key Characters in "Night" by Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel: The main character and narrator, a Jewish teenager from Romania whose experiences during the Holocaust are chronicled in the book.
Shlomo Wiesel: Elie's father, a respected and religious man who is imprisoned with Elie and ultimately dies in a concentration camp.
Moishe the Beadle: A poor, solitary religious man who warns the Jews of Sighet about the horrors of the concentration camps; his warnings go unheeded.
Mrs. Wiesel: Elie's mother, full of love and courage, devoted to her family.
Hilda: Elie's oldest sister, who works in the family grocery store and survives the concentration camps.
Bea: Elie's second sister, who also survives the concentration camps.
Tzipora: Elie's younger sister whose innocence and stoicism are evident; she does not survive.

Additional Important Figures

Batya Reich: A relative living with the Wiesels in the Sighet ghetto; first to hear the knock signaling danger.
Stein of Antwerp: Elie's relative at Auschwitz worried about his family; Elie comforts him with lies about his wife.
Madame Kahn: A neighbor who provides accommodation to a German officer.
Hungarian Police Officer: A kind officer who keeps Elie's father informed about impending dangers.
Maria: The Wiesel's maidservant who offers shelter, but is turned down by Mr. Wiesel.

Survivors and Other Imprisoned Individuals

Madame Schachter: A deportee who experiences hallucinations of fire during a train journey.
Bela Katz: Forced to work in the crematory and ultimately places his father's body in the oven.
Yechiel: A rabbi's brother who weeps for Elie and his father upon their arrival at Birkenau.
Akiba Drumer: A passionate singer who loses faith in God and dies unremembered by prayers.
Juliek: A Polish violinist who offers a final performance before his death.

Prison Life and Suffering

Franek: A former student who extorts Elie for his gold tooth by torturing his father.
Yossi and Tibi: Czech brothers who become friends with Elie after suffering the loss of their parents.
Alphonse: A compassionate overseer who provides extra rations to the weak and young.
Pipel: A young boy executed before the prisoners, illustrating the brutality of their reality.

Themes of Betrayal and Loss

Rabbi Eliahu: An old rabbi searching for his son who abandoned him in hopes of survival.
Meir: A boy who kills his father for food, succumbing to the desperation of survival.
Meir Katz: A strong man who helps Elie during an attack but is overcome by the loss of his family.

Violence and Cruelty

Idek: A violent Kapo who punishes Elie out of jealousy and rage.
The Dentist: A corrupt individual seeking to profit from the prisoners' gold teeth; he uses unethical methods for extraction.

Symbolic and Historical Figures

Dr. Mengele: The notorious Nazi doctor who plays a key role in the selection of victims for the camps.

Overall Impact

The characters in "Night" reflect the horrors faced during the Holocaust, showcasing acts of kindness, betrayal, despair, and the struggle for survival in life-threatening conditions.

Description

Explore key characters from Elie Wiesel's memoir 'Night' through these flashcards. Each card highlights the pivotal roles of characters like Elie and Shlomo Wiesel during their harrowing experiences in World War II. Perfect for studying and understanding the narrative's emotional depth.