Night Study Guide Chapters 3-5

Questions and Answers

What are the prisoners made to do as they entered the barracks?

The prisoners had to take off all their clothes and to hold on to only their belt and shoes.

Who are the Kapos?

They are prisoners that were in the concentration camps that were in charge of other prisoners.

What change does Elie state has taken place within him?

He lost his faith.

Why was it lucky that Elie's shoes were covered with mud?

Because the kapos would have taken his shoes if they were new, and he had mud on them so they didn't notice. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Kapo do to Elie's father?

The Kapo slapped his father because he asked where the bathrooms were. Signup and view all the answers

What is Elie's first impression of Auschwitz?

That it was better than Birkenau. Signup and view all the answers

What is the compulsory formality at all of the concentration camps?

The compulsory formality at all camps was a hot shower when you arrived. Signup and view all the answers

What sort of identification was used on the prisoners?

They tattooed numbers on their left arm. Signup and view all the answers

What were the prisoners' rations at each meal?

In the mornings they got black coffee. At midday they had soup. At 6 o'clock they had roll call followed by bread with something. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Elie lie to Stein about his family?

He lied to him because they hadn't heard from Stein's family and to give him hope. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the prisoner in charge of Elie's block removed from this position?

He was removed because he was too humane or too nice. Signup and view all the answers

Where are Elie and his father taken after leaving Auschwitz?

They were taken to a new camp called Buna. Signup and view all the answers

What were the objectives of the medical examinations?

They were looking for gold teeth and to see if you were in good health. Signup and view all the answers

Why were the Jewish musicians not allowed to play music by Beethoven?

Because he was a German musician. Signup and view all the answers

Whom did Elie meet years later on the Paris Metro?

A French girl who he got beaten in front of. Signup and view all the answers

What happened when Elie refused to give his crown to Franek? What was the end result?

Franek beat his dad. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Elie beaten by Idek the Kapo? How many lashes did he receive?

He was beaten because he saw Idek and a Polish girl, half naked, on a straw mat and he laughed. So Elie received 25 lashes. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the scene with the soup cauldrons.

A guy was trying to take the soup and when he looked into it they shot him. Signup and view all the answers

During one hanging, Elie and the other prisoners cried. What made this hanging different from others?

It was different because the person being hanged was too small for the rope to tighten enough for him to die. So he remained for more than half an hour lingering between life and death. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Elie fast on Yom Kippur? Give two reasons.

His father forbade him to fast, and there was no longer any reason for him to fast because Elie no longer accepted God's silence. Also, he was already starving. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the selection process Elie and his father go through at this time.

They had to undress completely and then they had to go, one by one, in front of the SS doctors. Signup and view all the answers

What advice was Elie given to pass the selection process?

Elie was told before he went to the selection to try and move his limbs to give himself some color. Then run as fast as he could and don't look at the SS; run straight in front of you, and don't be afraid. Signup and view all the answers

How did Elie's father respond when he learned his name had been written down? What did he give Elie?

His father felt that time was running out. Also, he was speaking rapidly because he wanted to tell Elie so many things. He gave Elie a knife and a spoon. Signup and view all the answers

What has begun to happen to the faith of some of the Jews?

They began to think that it's over and God is no longer with them. Signup and view all the answers

What did Akiba Drumer ask the others to do for him? Did they do it?

He asked them to say Kaddish for him but they forgot. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Elie placed in the hospital?

His right foot began to swell. Signup and view all the answers

What is Elie's reoccurring thought, the same thought he mentions in Chapter 3?

Don't get... Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prisoner Experience in Concentration Camps

Upon arrival, prisoners had to undress completely, keeping only their belts and shoes.
Kapos were prisoners appointed as supervisors over other inmates in the concentration camps.
Eliezer's faith diminished significantly due to the traumatic experiences reported.

Housing and Conditions

Elie's initial impression of Auschwitz was that it was preferable to Birkenau.
The standard procedure in camps included taking a hot shower upon arrival.
Prisoners were permanently marked with identification numbers tattooed on their left arms.

Rations and Survival

Daily rations consisted of black coffee in the morning, soup at noon, and bread during roll call at night.
To provide comfort, Elie lied to fellow inmate Stein about his family's fate, offering him hope for their survival.

Camp Dynamics and Authority

A prisoner who showed kindness was removed from his position of authority over Elie's block.
After Auschwitz, Elie and his father were transferred to a camp named Buna.

Medical Examinations and Cultural Restrictions

Medical checks aimed to confiscate gold teeth and assess health status.
Jewish musicians were prohibited from playing Beethoven’s music due to his German heritage.

Personal Encounters and Events

Years later, Elie encountered a French girl he had known during the camp years on the Paris Metro.
Elie faced consequences when he refused to surrender his crown to Franek, resulting in his father's beating.

Violence and Desperation

Idek the Kapo beat Elie for witnessing a private moment, inflicting 25 lashes.
A vivid scene depicted a man shot while attempting to steal soup, highlighting the brutality.

Emotional Responses to Execution

During a hanging, the victim was too small for the noose to be effective, prolonging his suffering for over half an hour, eliciting cries from the prisoners.

Religious Dilemmas

Elie chose not to fast on Yom Kippur due to his father's prohibition, his rejection of divine silence, and his starvation.
Selection processes were harrowing, requiring prisoners to undress and run before SS doctors.

Survival Strategies

Elie was advised to appear healthy and to run quickly during selections, avoiding eye contact with the guards.
His father's anxiety intensified when he learned his name was on a list; he hurriedly gave Elie a knife and spoon for survival.

The Erosion of Faith

Many prisoners began to lose faith in God, feeling abandoned amid their suffering.
Akiba Drumer requested Kaddish to be recited for him, but the others forgot his request.

Health Challenges

Elie was hospitalized due to swelling in his right foot, emphasizing the toll of camp life on physical well-being.

Reoccurring Thoughts

Elie frequently reflected on survival, contemplating his precarious situation and fears.

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Review the key concepts and terms from chapters 3 to 5 of Elie Wiesel's 'Night'. This flashcard set helps reinforce your understanding of the text's themes, characters, and significant events as the story unfolds in the concentration camps.