Night Test Chapters 4-9 Flashcards

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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?

Elie is only interested in food, describing himself as 'nothing but a body' and that 'the stomach alone was measuring time.' Signup and view all the answers

How does Elie describe the men (prisoners) after the raid?

The prisoners were not afraid; they seemed filled with joy despite the danger of death. They behaved as if a bomb falling would not deter them. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the young man from Warsaw? Why?

He was condemned to death for stealing food during an air raid. Signup and view all the answers

What events lead to the two hangings Elie describes? How does Elie feel about his evening meal after each hanging?

A search resulted in finding a large quantity of weapons. After the first hanging, Elie felt the soup tasted better than ever, but after the second hanging, it tasted of corpses. Signup and view all the answers

What do the men do on the eve of Rosh Hashanah?

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the camp was tense and agitated; the men felt the weight of the occasion and also went to mass. Signup and view all the answers

How does Elie feel while the others were praying?

While the prisoners prayed, Elie questioned why God allowed them to suffer. Signup and view all the answers

What is Elie's decision about fasting on Yom Kippur? Why does he make that decision?

Elie decides not to fast to please his father and because he no longer believes in God, feeling that fasting would lead to a faster death. Signup and view all the answers

What is Elie's 'inheritance' from his father? Why is his father giving this to him?

Elie's father gives him a knife and a spoon because they both fear he might be killed. Signup and view all the answers

Do the men remember to say the Kaddish for Akiba Drumer?

Three days later, they forgot to say the Kaddish for Akiba Drumer. Signup and view all the answers

What does Elie dream of when he dreams of a better world?

Elie dreams of a world without the bell, which regulates everything, signifying his desire for freedom. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the patients who stay in the hospital instead of evacuating?

Those who stayed in the infirmary were liberated by the Russians two days after evacuation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the last thing the head of the block orders the men to do before they evacuate? Why?

The head of the block orders the men to clean the block for the liberating army. Signup and view all the answers

What is the weather like during the evacuation?

During the evacuation, it was snowing. Signup and view all the answers

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?

Elie likely wanted to save his bread for when he needed it the most. Signup and view all the answers

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.