Themes and Characters in Night Chapters 6-9

Questions and Answers

Why does Wiesel describe the daybreak light as grayish instead of yellow or golden?

This is because Wiesel was looking at death and all the light had vanished.

How is the German worker who throws the first piece of bread similar to the French woman who throws coins to the 'natives' in Aden?

Their motives were cruel because they were willing to have innocents who have been starved to kill each other for their own entertainment.

Explain how the father and son killed in the cattle car next to Wiesel died.

The father died in the cattle car after his own son beat him up for a piece of bread that a German soldier threw in.

What is the first name of Elie Wiesel's father?

Shlomo Signup and view all the answers

Find and write two lines from this chapter that would be useful in an analysis of the book's title, Night.

'On the third night of our journey', and 'That same night we reached our destination'. Signup and view all the answers

What three adjectives does Wiesel use when he describes 'childlike' behavior?

Weak, frightened, and vulnerable. Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happens that makes Wiesel feel ashamed of himself forever.

He thinks about how it would be so much easier if his father would die, one less responsibility and burden. Signup and view all the answers

What test does Wiesel believe he has failed?

He has lost the desire to fully protect and support his father. Signup and view all the answers

What does Shlomo Wiesel try to tell his son while dying?

He tries to tell his son where he has hidden the family's gold and money. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Blockälteste's advice to Wiesel in regards to his father?

To stop caring for his father and focus on his own survival. Signup and view all the answers

What was Shlomo Wiesel's final word?

Eliezer. Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Wiesel weep when he realized his father had died?

He felt as if he was out of tears and felt that he was free, as it meant his father was free from suffering. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the gates open for evacuation at Buchenwald?

The sirens at the camp suddenly went off, postponing the evacuation. Signup and view all the answers

How long did the battle for control of Buchenwald take?

Less than two hours. Signup and view all the answers

What ironic event occurs after Wiesel and the other freed men gorge themselves with food?

He ends up getting food poisoning. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the final sentence of the chapter?

'The look in his eyes as he gazed at me has never left me.' Signup and view all the answers

List three times when Wiesel or the guards use animal imagery to describe the men.

Beaten dogs, on all fours, frog. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence exists early in this chapter that the emaciated prisoners are actually stronger than their guards?

The prisoners are forced to run 42 miles while some guards were replaced for not being strong enough. Signup and view all the answers

What similarities and differences exist between Akiba Drummer and Wiesel?

Both lost their faith, but unlike Wiesel, Akiba was sent to the Crematorium. Signup and view all the answers

What significant realization does Wiesel have about his faith?

Eliezer prays for strength never to act in the same way as Rabbi Eliahu's son did. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about Juliek playing a Beethoven concerto as he died?

It signifies an act of rebellion as Jews weren't allowed to play German music. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 6-9 Themes and Characters

The "night" symbolizes despair and hopelessness, while the "grayish light" suggests a loss of innocence and impending death.
Actions of the German worker and the French woman illustrate cruelty; both incite violence among the starving by tossing food and coins for entertainment.
The tragic death of a father at the hands of his son during a struggle for food highlights the extreme desperation for survival, even among family.
Shlomo is the first name of Elie Wiesel’s father, revealed through dialogue in the narrative, emphasizing familial connections.

Symbolism and Imagery

Textual examples connected to the title "Night" reflect the endless suffering experienced, with nights blurring into days and hope dwindling.
Wiesel's description of children reveals a shift in perception due to trauma; he uses terms like weak and frightened versus positive adjectives for children in a normal context.
The mix of animal imagery emphasizes the dehumanization of prisoners, comparing them to "beaten dogs" and observing behaviors that strip away humanity.

Moral Dilemmas and Relationships

Wiesel’s internal conflict about his father's burden exposes the harsh reality of survival where individual needs overshadow familial bonds.
The Blockälteste's pragmatic advice to abandon his father for self-preservation highlights the brutal mentality developed in concentration camps.
Rabbi Eliahu's son serves as a parallel to Wiesel, both embodying the struggle between familial loyalty and the desire for self-preservation.

Key Events and Character Development

Shlomo Wiesel's final words, focusing on the family's hidden wealth, underscore parental responsibilities and the tragic context of familial importance being overshadowed by survival instincts.
Wiesel’s lack of tears at his father's death reflects both emotional numbness and a complex sense of freedom for his father from suffering.
The impending liberation of the camp adds tension; sirens prevent evacuation, hinting at chaos even amidst hopeful changes.

Resilience and Survival

The battle for control at Buchenwald takes less than two hours, portraying the prisoners' unexpected strength against their oppressors.
Wiesel’s experience of food poisoning after gorging on food upon liberation reveals the fragility of human health after enduring starvation.
Juliek's defiant performance of Beethoven's music amidst death symbolizes rebellion and the persistence of beauty in horror, despite doubts about the reality of the performance.

Reflection on Faith

Wiesel’s fluctuating relationship with God illustrates a deep and conflicted spirituality; he still prays, showing remnants of faith amidst despair.
The juxtaposition of Wiesel’s anger towards God with moments of prayer suggests complexity in his beliefs about morality and human suffering in dire circumstances.

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Description

Explore the profound themes and characters presented in chapters 6 to 9 of Elie Wiesel's 'Night'. This quiz delves into the symbolism of night, the effects of trauma, and familial bonds during extreme adversity. Test your understanding of the complex imagery and character dynamics that capture the harrowing experiences of survival.