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?
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.
Signup and view all the answers
What three adjectives does Wiesel use when he describes 'childlike' behavior?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe what happens that makes Wiesel feel ashamed of himself forever.
Signup and view all the answers
What test does Wiesel believe he has failed?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Shlomo Wiesel try to tell his son while dying?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Blockälteste's advice to Wiesel in regards to his father?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Shlomo Wiesel's final word?
Signup and view all the answers
Why didn't Wiesel weep when he realized his father had died?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens when the gates open for evacuation at Buchenwald?
Signup and view all the answers
How long did the battle for control of Buchenwald take?
Signup and view all the answers
What ironic event occurs after Wiesel and the other freed men gorge themselves with food?
Signup and view all the answers
What is significant about the final sentence of the chapter?
Signup and view all the answers
List three times when Wiesel or the guards use animal imagery to describe the men.
Signup and view all the answers
What evidence exists early in this chapter that the emaciated prisoners are actually stronger than their guards?
Signup and view all the answers
What similarities and differences exist between Akiba Drummer and Wiesel?
Signup and view all the answers
What significant realization does Wiesel have about his faith?
Signup and view all the answers
What is significant about Juliek playing a Beethoven concerto as he died?
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.