English Literature

Night is a book inspired by the real experience of Elie Wiesel during World War II. It is the first part of the three books (Night, Dawn and Day) where it reflects the psychological impacts during and after the Holocaust to the author. The word Night is a progression from darkness to light where it is based on the Jewish tradition of starting the new day by night.

    The story is strongly influenced by the characters that are associated with the narrator (Elie Wiesel). Mosche the beadle, his friend and spiritual guide who told him Man raises himself toward God by the questions he asks Him. Rabbi Eliahou, a person that spoke the words that enlightened his connection with his father during the death march always near each other, for suffering, for blows, for the ration of bread, for prayer. The French girl who always helps him, she always reminds him to put away his anger. Meir Katz, the person who helped Elie during the night when he is choked.

    The place where Elie and his father suffered the most is at Buchenwald because it is the place where they became separated. Elie also felt a very deep anger to himself where he could not even lift a finger to help his father who called out for his name. His conscience engulfed him and at the same time, the suffering of his father hurt him the most.

    In the camp, lessons were taught in a very cruel way. For example the hanging of the boy, it teaches them that stealing will cost their life. The author included this in his book to show that even a little boy is not exempted in death.

    The French girl in the story is a worker next to the warehouse where Elie works at Buna. After a year, Elie met again this girl in Paris where they reminisced what they have experienced in the past.

    On January 25, 1945, Elies father passed away. He found about this when he saw another man situated in his fathers place. Elie felt a deep pain for the lost because his name was the last word he heard of him. Although suffering from the death of his father, he also felt a bit of freedom.

    Elie described himself after the war like a body half dead by starvation. He knew this by the appearance of his body, skin and bones.