Questions and Answers
Describe Elie's encounter with the dentist.
Elie initially thought the dentist was looking for decaying teeth but discovered he was actually after gold teeth. The dentist had his own rotten teeth and later attempted to take Elie's gold crown, which led Elie to pretend to be sick.
What does Elie Wiesel do when Idek hits his father? What is he thinking?
Elie keeps silent and thinks about stealing to avoid suffering blows himself. He feels anger, but not towards Idek, rather towards his father.
Who takes Elie's gold tooth? Why does Elie give it up?
Franek, the foreman, takes Elie's gold tooth because Elie's father cannot handle the blows.
What are the only things in which Elie takes an interest?
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How does Elie describe the men (prisoners) after the raid?
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What happens to the young man from Warsaw? Why?
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What events lead to the two hangings Elie describes? How does Elie feel about his evening meal after each hanging?
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What do the men do on the eve of Rosh Hashanah?
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How does Elie feel while the others were praying?
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What is Elie's decision about fasting on Yom Kippur? Why does he make that decision?
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What is Elie's 'inheritance' from his father? Why is his father giving this to him?
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Do the men remember to say the Kaddish for Akiba Drumer?
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What does Elie dream of when he dreams of a better world?
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What happens to the patients who stay in the hospital instead of evacuating?
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What is the last thing the head of the block orders the men to do before they evacuate? Why?
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What is the weather like during the evacuation?
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As he is getting ready to leave, why does Elie make a point of not eating the bread he has, even though he is starving?
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Study Notes
Elie's Encounter with the Dentist
- Elie's initial visit to the dentist was to check for decaying teeth, but the dentist was actually looking for valuable gold teeth.
- During his second visit, the dentist had his own rotten teeth and was attempting to extract Elie's gold crown.
- Elie feigned illness to avoid having his crown removed, and the dentist was later executed for trading the inmates' gold teeth for personal gain.
Elie's Thoughts on Idek's Abuse
- Elie remained silent as Idek struck his father, feeling conflicted between anger and guilt.
- He considered stealing to escape physical punishment, reflecting a struggle with survival instincts and loyalty to his father.
Franek's Extraction of Elie's Gold Tooth
- Franek, the foreman, forcibly took Elie's gold tooth, exploiting the situation to assert dominance.
- Elie reluctantly surrendered the tooth to protect his father, who was unable to withstand further brutality from the guards.
Elie's Basic Needs
- Elie likened his existence to that of a mere physical body, emphasizing his primary focus on survival and the need for food.
- Time was measured only by his hunger, indicating a decline in his emotional and spiritual state.
Prisoners’ Response to Bombing Raids
- The prisoners displayed indifference to the threat of death during air raids, even expressing joy when bombs fell nearby.
- The lack of fear reflects their desensitization to violence and loss of hope.
Fate of the Young Man from Warsaw
- A young man was sentenced to death for stealing food during an air raid, illustrating the extreme desperation for survival in the camps.
Impact of Executions on Elie's Perceptions
- After witnessing a hanging, Elie found the soup to taste surprisingly good, revealing a momentary disconnection from moral suffering.
- Following a second hanging, his enjoyment turned to revulsion, symbolizing a shift towards a more profound existential despair.
Rosh Hashanah Observations
- On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, tension permeated the camp as the prisoners sensed the gravity of their situation.
- Participation in mass highlights the juxtaposition between faith and the dire reality of imprisonment.
Elie's Spiritual Crisis
- While others prayed, Elie wrestled with profound doubt, questioning God's existence and justice amidst their suffering.
Elie's Decision on Yom Kippur Fasting
- Elie chose not to fast for Yom Kippur, believing it would hasten his death and motivated by his loss of faith.
- His decision aimed to preserve his strength for survival and to honor his father's wishes.
Inheritance from His Father
- Elie's father bequeathed a knife and spoon to him, foreseeing the grim possibility of their imminent deaths.
- This act signifies a father's care in the face of impending loss, emphasizing survival instincts.
Memory of Akiba Drumer
- Reflection on the collective forgetting of the Kaddish prayer for Akiba Drumer underscores the emotional toll taken by their experiences.
- Days of hardship led to diminished regard for personal rituals and remembrance.
Desire for a Better World
- Elie's dream of a better world is characterized by the absence of oppressive signs, such as bells, which symbolize control over their existence.
Fate of Infirmary Patients
- Patients who chose to remain in the infirmary were liberated by advancing Russian troops shortly after the main camp evacuation.
Final Orders Before Evacuation
- The head of the block commanded that the barracks be cleaned for the liberating forces, establishing an ironic sense of dignity amidst despair.
Weather During Evacuation
- The evacuation occurred under heavy snowfall, setting a bleak scene for the prisoners' forced departure.
Elie's Rationing of Food
- Despite overwhelming hunger, Elie avoided consuming his bread to save it for a critical moment, demonstrating a survival tactic rooted in pragmatism.
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Description
Explore key concepts from Chapters 4 to 9 of 'Night' by Elie Wiesel with these flashcards. Engage with important themes, character insights, and pivotal moments that define this powerful memoir of survival and suffering.