Night Questions

What simile does Elie Wiesel use to describe Moishe the Beadle? Given the information that Moishe tries to share with the people of Sighet later in the chapter, what is interesting about this simile choice?

Elie Wiesel uses the simile "Physically, he was as awkward as a clown" (3). Given the information that Moishe tries to share with the people of Sighet later in the chapter, this simile choice is interesting because he is the complete opposite of shy. This is ironic because he tries his hardest to tell everyone the terrible news about what is going to happen to them, but no one listens. It is interesting because Moishe tries to warn everyone and help them, but everyone thought of him as a clown. They did not take him seriously.

A fellow inmate quickly tells Elie Wiesel and his father to lie about their ages. How old is each and what new age do they give to Dr. Mengele, one of the Nazi leaders of Auschwitz? Why, do you suppose, they need to lie about their ages?

Elie is 15 years old and his father is 50 years old. The new ages that they give to Dr. Mengele, one of the Nazi leaders of Auschwitz are 18 years old (Elie) and 40 years old (his father). They need to lie about their ages, so they will have a better chance of not being put into the selection. They needed to tell Dr. Mengele that they were younger, so they would work instead of being put into the crematorium.

Find and write a line from this chapter that supports the claim that Wiesel and his father were treated more like animals than humans.

"I no longer felt anything except the lashes of the whip" (57).

Write two lines from this chapter where it's clear that the prisoners set aside their own values in order to survive

"I shall never know. All I can say is that I prevailed. I succeeded in digging a hole in that wall of dead and dying people, a small hole through which I could drink a little air" (94). "Snow was falling heavily. We were forbidden to sit down or to move. A thick layer of snow was accumulating on our blankets. We were given bread, the usual ration. We threw ourselves on it. Someone had the idea of quenching his thirst by eating snow. Soon, we were all imitating him. As we were not permitted to bend down, we took out our spoons and ate the snow off our neighbors' backs" (96).

Wiesel uses numerous similes in this first chapter as he works to help the reader visualize the events as they unfold. Find and write down four similes from the chapter. Be sure to include the page number of each simile.

"Physically, he was as awkward as a clown" (3). " . . . he whispered, and tears, like drops of wax, flowed from his eyes" (7). "The barbed wire circled us like a wall did not fill us with real fear" (11). "The courtyard turned into something like an antechamber to an operating room" (13).

What does Juliek, one of the musicians, say that shows the callousness that life in the concentration camp is creating?

"This ceremony, will it be over soon? I'm hungry . . ." whispered Juliek" (63). It is showing how desperate and insensitive the Nazis have made them. Because in life before the concentration camps, people would have been emotional and upset, when one died, but know it is the opposite. The prisoners start to not care about others, and just begin to care about only themselves. Death is happening all around them constantly.

In chapter 2, Wiesel used numerous similes to help the reader visualize the cattle car scene. In chapter 3, he limits this technique and, instead, provides one stark metaphor. Find and write down the metaphor. Then, explain why this metaphor is an especially effective choice, given the trials Wiesel and his people are facing.

"We were withered trees in the heart of the desert" (37). This metaphor is an especially effective choice because it shows how brutally the Jews are taking advantage of and how skinny they are. The Jews are also demanded to do hard labor work, and if not, then they get punished. They feel like there is no hope, in the middle of nowhere, but they are still alive maybe because of the tiny bit of inner hope or energy. They feel very trapped and have no escape, They are dehydrated and starving, but there is still something keeping them going somehow.

In the gut-wrenching final scene of this chapter, a pale young boy is hanged for refusing to give information to the Gestapo. Give two pieces of evidence from the text that a reader could use to argue this is the moment where Wiesel's faith in God is broken.

"Where is merciful God, where is He?" someone behind me was asking" (64). Wiesel is mad at God because he needs Him now, but he is not there. Where He is? This is where--hanging here from this gallows . . ." (65). "His was the face of an angel in distress)" (63). It is breaking his faith in God because it is almost as if the little boy who is being hanged is the angel, and God is not doing anything to help him.

When the men begin to recite Kaddish, the prayer for the dead, why does Wiesel grow angry?

Because Elie thought that he should not be thanking God, when He chose instead to remain silent and not help them. He cannot believe that God would allow this horror to occur and keep going.

In what way does the treatment of Mrs. Schachter serve as a parallel to the treatment of all of the people in the cattle car?

Because Mrs. Schachter and all of the people in the cattle car are both beaten, mistreated, and even killed if they do something against the rules.

Why, do you suppose, Wiesel directs more of his anger toward God than the Nazis?

Because the concentration camps and Nazis have changed his beliefs towards things and his opinions. The Nazis are making Wiesel think that they are the victims and God is the criminal. He cannot believe God is just watching all of these innocent people die. Weisel was extremely religious and faithful and so he cannot understand why God would turn his back on people that are faithful of Him and pray for Him.

Toward the middle of the chapter, Wiesel says, "That was what life in a concentration camp had made of me..." To what is he referring here?

He is referring that he was more mad at his father for upsetting the Kapo, then his anger towards Idek himself. In life before, Wiesel would have set all of his anger on Kapo, instead of being upset with his father because he upset Idek. The concentration camps have changed Wiesel and how he looks at things. His reaction seemed more like he was used to his father being beaten. His father did not do anything to deserve to get beaten. It made him get angry at the victim, rather than the person that was doing the crime.

Before the Wiesel family members are taken, Maria, their former maid, offers to hide them in a safe shelter. What does Mr. Wiesel say about this offer? What does the family decide? Although it's impossible to place ourselves in such a situation, what do you think your family would decide in such a situation?

He offers for Wiesel and his older sisters to go hide with Maria, while he, his wife, and the little one go to be sent off. The family decides to all go with the Hungarian police. Even though it's impossible to place ourselves in such a situation, my family would decide to stay together.

At first, staying in the infirmary seems good, as Wiesel is given white sheets, better food, and time away from his usual grueling work. Why, though, should he not want to stay too long in the infirmary?

He should not want to stay in the infirmary too long because there is a limited number of men, so you might get sent to the selection. His chances of getting chosen for the selection are a lot higher.

In your own life, does hope create more harm or good? Explain.

Hope for me normally creates harm because I feel like even being positive about things, while dealing with a hard situation, normally leads to something bad. It could honestly go both ways though.

When Wiesel runs to awaken his father's friend, the "man with a gray beard and the gaze of a dreamer," we're told about a moment where the man "went over to the bed where his wife lay sleeping and with infinite tenderness touched her forehead." What can you infer about the smile that crossed the wife's lips as she awoke?

I can infer about the smile that crossed the wife's lips as she awoke was that she was most likely holding on to hope and wishing that the Gestapo's would take them somewhere good. She doesn't know what is going on. It emphasizes that everything can change in an instant. She is smiling at one point and then the next she is being taken on a train to her death.

On their last day in Sighet, the Hungarian police crammed Wiesel and the other remaining Jews into the synagogue, where they were held for 24 hours. Symbolically, what is particularly upsetting about the treatment of this holy building?

It is particularly upsetting about the treatment of this holy building because synagogues are very sacred to the Jews, but the Hungarians are treating them terribly here. The synagogues are good places for the Jews. Everything has been destroyed here. It is very insulting and impersonating especially because of where this is all happening.

What is significant about Juliek playing a Beethoven concerto as he died? Do you think Juliek actually played the music for the mass of people in the pile, or do you think the music was a hallucination created by Wiesel's mind? Explain your answer.

It is significant because Juliek still grasped that little bit of hope and ended up dying happily. Juliek was playing his life out. No, I do not think Juliek actually played the music for the mass of people in the pile. I think Wiesel was just hallucinating. He seemed to have looked up to Juliek and his eye for music. Wiesel must have remembered how big of a musician Juleik was and could have blocked out his actual death, since he was hallucinating so much. Since Wiesel was so weak, he started to think certain things were real when they really were not, only because he was so weak. It is significant because he is not allowed to play Beethoven because it is German music. Maybe Juliek was trying to bring hope to the other inmates to keep on going.

In the beginning of this chapter, Wiesel says that the "night was growing longer, never-ending" and that finally "a grayish light" appeared on the horizon. Why, do you suppose, he describes the daybreak light as grayish instead of yellow or golden?

Maybe because grey represents darker times and sadness, which is what they are going through right now, so that is what he sees. And if he was happier, he would see the daybreak light as grayish instead of yellow or golden. Because everyone is cold, tired, and sad. Light in general represents something good and Wiesel does not feel that right now. He is feeling grey, so he thinks nothing is getting better.

In what ways is Mrs. Schachter similar to Moishe the Beadle?

Mrs. Schactcher is similar to Moishe the Beadle because she is trying to warn everyone that something bad is about to happen, just like Moishe the Beadle did. She is foreshadowing something that is about to happen. She completely changes after she lost her husband. She has not seen anything happen, but she has a profit to what is about to happen, while Moishe has.

Of the 100 inmates who were loaded onto the cattle car, how many survived the trip and were able to walk off the train?

Of the 100 inmates who were loaded onto the cattle car, 12 survived including Wiesel and his father.

There are several moments in this chapter that should strike the reader as particularly absurd. Find and describe one of those moments in this chapter.

One of the moments that is particularly absurd is when the Jews are led into a room with no floor, just mud. This is extremely absurd because it shows how they are being treated like animals. When they threw the babies into the fire. When they just looked at you and just sectioned you off to either work or die. Another one was when they walked through the town on their way to the next camp, they noticed how the German people do not care about the people and that they are used to it. It was absurd when the guards pass the townspeople they flirt, kiss, and pass love letters to the girls.

Explain how Rabbi Eliahu and his son can be seen as a parallel for the relationship between Wiesel and his father.

Rabbi Eliahu's son wanted to leave his father, while Wiesel wanted to stay with his father. Wiesel does not want to abandon his father the way that Rabbi Eliahu's son did to him.

What detail shows the reader that the dentist from Czechoslovakia likely was not actually a dentist?

Some details that show the reader that the dentist from Czechoslovakia was not actually a dentist were that he had yellow and rotten teeth. He also does not have the mannerism of a dentist. Most dentists had good white teeth.

Explain how the father and son killed in the cattle car next to Wiesel died. What message can you take away from this incident?

That this might be foreshadowing to Wiesel's father's death. Maybe it is foreshadowing that his father might die, while trying to help Wiesel. The son killed his father for the bread. When the son got the bread, other inmates killed him for it. People pretty much do anything to survive, which can be very shocking. The Germans treating them like animals is obviously going to affect them later on, just like what happened here. The Jews are removed from who they were.

How does the German officer ensure that none of the 80 passengers in the cattle car will try to escape? Is this an effective strategy?

The German officer ensures that none of the 80 passengers in the cattle car will try to escape by telling everyone that they will be shot if they do so. Yes, it is an effective strategy for the Nazis because the Jews have no defense against it. They put one soldier in each car, so that if one person tries to escape, then their whole car will be shot down and killed.

Why didn't the Jewish people from Sighet eat enough to satisfy their hunger? What does this show about these people?

The Jewish people from Sighet did not eat enough to satisfy their hunger because they wanted to save it.They did this because they thought that things were going to get worse, so they wanted to be prepared. This shows that the people are being smart about this situation because they do not know what could happen next and want to be ready just in case. They were thinking that the next day would be even worse. This shows that they think about their future, and they are trying to be wise about their food.

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

The evidence is when the SS guards had replacements if they were tired, but the inmates did not. This proved how much stronger the prisoners were because they faced many difficulties, could barely breathe, and could end up getting shot. But they kept on going anyway. When the inmates are running on the road without breaks, while the guards take breaks. The inmates had to run 12 miles while they were frail, freezing, and starving. The inmates are very strong mentally. They have this willpower to survive.

What lesson can be drawn from the passage describing Akiba Drumer?

The lesson that can be drawn from the passage describing Akiba Drumer is that even when times seem really hard and there is barely any chance of hope left, you still have to keep fighting and pushing through for that hope if you want to keep on living. He pretty much gives himself up for the selection, selects himself in a way. He thinks that there is no need to continue in life.

Repeatedly, Wiesel has spoken about his anger with God, yet there is evidence in this chapter that his faith is not entirely broken. Describe the moment that the reader realizes Wiesel is still a believer.

The moment is when he prays to God to never let himself do the same thing that Rabbi Eliahu's son did. He does not want to leave his father behind.

Wiesel tells us that the first night in the camp his life turned "into one long night seven times sealed." Symbolically, the number seven is important in Judaism, as it represents divinity and completeness. What, do you suppose, the never-ending night might symbolically represent?

The never-ending night might symbolically represent death, the never ending pain that he keeps going through, and it is like hell. Things never get better, there is no hope or salvation. There is a lack of everything good. There is a loss of hope or any kind of light or goodness.

What particular horror was Béla Katz forced to endure? What message can you take from this moment?

The particular horror that Béla Katz was forced to endure was he had to place his father's ashes in the crematorium. This shows how brutal the Nazis were to the Jews, when they did not do anything wrong. The SS soldiers are totally insensitive and have no emotions towards anyone. The SS soldiers have had the insensitiveness, since they were very young.

The German soldiers want to rid their country of the Jewish people, yet every day "the Germans came looking for men to load coal into the military trains." What point might Wiesel be trying to make here to the reader?

The point that Weisel is trying to make to the reader is that he is trying to make everything optimistic and probably thinks that nothing bad will happen to them (the Jews). The Gestapo are trying to trick the Jews into thinking they are nice, when really they are not. They are being hypocritical. That he is trying to say that the Nazis are being hypocritical because they are acting like they are trying to help the Jews, when in reality they want to demolish them all. It does not make sense because they want the Jews to do labor for them, but once they are all gone the Nazis will not have anyone to do it for them. Also it is messed up because the Jews are demanded to load the train with coal, while they are going to be later transported on those same trains to their death.

What three adjectives does Wiesel use when he describes "childlike" behavior? What three adjectives would you use to describe children that you know? What's significant about how your word choices differ from Wiesel's?

The three adjectives that Weisel used to describe "childlike" behavior were weak, frightened, and vulnerable. Three adjectives that I would use to describe a child my age would be happy, impulsive, and carefree. The significant part about my word choices compared to Weisel's words are that they are extremely different. A child should not be going through hard times and fighting for his life at that age, he should be having fun and a good time. wiesel 's words were very negative. We see very different things.

The dehumanization of Wiesel and his fellow Jews is on full display in this chapter, as they are treated more like livestock than men. Paraphrase three moments from this chapter where the prisoners are treated like animals. What might such treatment do to a person's view of himself?

The three moments were when the Jews were brought into a room with no ground, just mud (there was nowhere to sit, when the tattoo was written on his arm, shaving their heads, getting beaten, forced to stand out in the cold naked, taking all their belongings because their not allowed to have anything nice, and commanding them to run before the Jews went to bed. This treatment would destroy the person's view of himself and they might start thinking that they will not have a way out of the camps. It could mess with your mind. People who came out of Auschwitz were all out of their minds probably because of so many things they have seen (it gives them nightmares. They start to act like animals because of the way that they are being treated. They are stripped of clothing and everything that they had. Since they are treated like this for that long, then they will most likely start to act like it and it would become the norm.

When the elder Wiesel hastily gives his son a knife and spoon, what two words does Elie Wiesel uses his narration to describe these items? What is his tone here?

The two words that Elie Wiesel uses in his narration to describe these items are "My inheritance . . ." (75). The tone here is sad, upsetting, and almost sarcastic seeming. It is sad because it is a symbol, since they do not have much left.

What unexpected moment from the evacuation shows that the inmates retained their humanity in spite of being treated no better than animals by their guards?

The unexpected moment from the evacuation shows that the inmates retained their humanity in spite of being treated no better than animals by their guards is when they tell the Jews that they are not pigs, but men. And then they also ordered them to mop the block from top to bottom. The guards wanted to let the Russians know that the Jews here lived as men and not pigs. They wanted the liberated army to know that here lived men and not just animals.

What is your opinion of the treatment given to Mrs. Schachter? Would you have tried to step in and help her? Would you have wanted her silenced? Explain your answer.

The way they were treating her (beating her) was not good because she was just mentally ill and hallucinating, while the Nazis were the one to cause that. I would help her get to the hospital car, but nothing could really help her unless she was treated well (such as being fed). I think if she had gotten help then it would have been good that she was silent, but since she was not stable, then it made sense for her to scream. It would get annoying after awhile because everyone in the car is already tired, confused, and mad. They should have tried other ways to punish her instead of beating her in front of her own 10 year old son.

After the evacuation of the camp has been ordered, Wiesel and his father decide not to stay in the infirmary and instead join the main group being marched to a different camp. What fear drives them to make this choice? Two days after the evacuation, what actually happens to the patients who stayed?

There is a rumor going around that the Russians are going to come to the camp and kill them. Weisel and his father do not want to get separated from each other, so they stay with the Nazis. Two days after the evacuation, the patients that stayed ended up being freed.

Given the snowy weather and Wiesel's statement that "it seemed as though an even darker night was waiting for us on the other side," what do you think is going to happen next?

There is probably going to be something that happens because this is foreshadowing. Maybe it is foreshadowing a snowstorm, Russians will come, or some of the Jews will end up dying from something. It will probably get worse. It is almost as if he is living in this one super dark night.

What eight words will change Wiesel's life forever? For him, what was the meaning of those eight words beyond their literal meaning?

These 8 words will change Wiesel's life forever: "Men to the left! Women to the right!" (29). The meaning of those eight words were that Elie had to split up from his mother and his two sisters. To the Nazis, they did not care about the Jew's emotions, while this was a tremendously hard time for the Jews, since they had to leave half of their families behind. They do not know where they are going and this is the last time him and his father are going to see them. His mother and Tzipora are separated again from his older sisters. His two older sisters were sent to work, while the younger sister and his mother were sent to the gas chambers.

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? Are the worker and the woman kind? Cruel? Explain your answer.

They are similar because both the German worker and the French woman both pretty much tease and make fun of the natives and the Jews for starving. No, the worker and woman are not nice at all because they are taking advantage of the poor natives and inmates, since they are starving. They think it is entertaining seeing them fight over the food and coins, when it is really a serious situation and very cruel. The worker threw the bread and thought of the jews almost as if they were animals. The woman throwing the coins probably did not want them to intentionally fight, she was just throwing coins. They are btoht creating more damage than helping. Th german worker was probably more intentional to what he was doing, but the women seemed almost oblivious, like she did not know what she was doing. They were both pretty much doing the same though.

Identify the literary device Wiesel uses in this line: "At first, my father simply doubled over under the blows, but then he seemed to break in two like an old tree struck by lightning." What does the comparison of Idek to lightning emphasize to the reader?

This literary device is a simile. This comparison of Idek to lightning emphasizes to the reader how easily mad he gets over little things and could strike out on anyone at any time, so everyone has to be careful. Idek has fits of rage out of nowhere for no reason. He is very strong and powerful.

Once again, animal terms are used to describe the inmates in this chapter. List three times when Wiesel or the guards use animal imagery to describe the men.

Three times when animal terms are used to describe the men are: when Wiesel says that if one of the inmates would take a break from running then they would get shot like a filthy dog, when the inmates were piled underneath the other dead men (and they almost died), and when the inmates ate snow off of each others' backs with a spoon, since they were not allowed to move until the train came. Wiesel's dad was on all fours. Wiesel could have been crushed like an ant. Wiesel felt like he was a body galloping down the road.

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

Weisel starts talking to himself saying that he should focus on himself and build up his own strength for himself, instead of using it all on his father. But immediately after thinking that, he feels ashamed of himself forever. He felt like it would be easier to not take care of his dad and thinks of abandoning him for a moment. In that moment, Wiesel listens to the sirens and follows them instead of staying back and helping his father.

As his father sleeps, Wiesel watches over the older man, making sure he's safe and breathing. At one point, the elder Wiesel "awoke with a start. He sat up, bewildered, stunned, like an orphan." What's significant about this particular simile choice?

What is significant about the particular simile choice is that his father thinks as though he has become an orphan, and maybe Wiesel has left him. Also, it is important because a majority of the inmates with them are now orphans and their family is no longer there with them. It is interesting that the roles are reversed here because Wiesle is taking care of his father. They are all sort of orphans because they do not have any family left. To be an orphan you have to have no parents or family. This could be a foreshadowing that his father might die.

When the Hungarian police finally arrive to round up the Jews in the ghetto, what is Wiesel doing? What's ironic about this?

When the Hungarian police finally arrive to round up the Jews in the ghetto, Wiesel is praying. This is ironic because normally when you pray, something good comes out of it, but now it is not good; the Jews are being taken from their homes to the concentration camps. When people pray, it is normally for a good outcome, not a bad one.

What is the first name of Elie Wiesel's father? How do you know this?

Wielsel's father's first name is Shlomo. I know this because Meir Katz was talking to him and called him by his name.

Why, do you suppose, Wiesel cries when he prays?

Wiesel cries when he prays probably because there is something inside of him that feels the need to cry and let it out. He is very faithful and this is probably the only time he can do it. He feels deeply connected to that part of his life. This also is foreshadowing what is going to happen in the future.

Wiesel uses his wit and a bit of luck to keep the gold crown on his tooth. Later, though, he must surrender the crown to Franek, the foreman of his work group. Why does Wiesel finally relent and agree to give the crown to Franek?

Wiesel finally relents and agrees to give the crown to Franek because if not, Franek would have kept taking advantage of his father and beating him up. Wiesel did not want to see his father getting beaten up anymore, so he finally gave his gold crown up.

How old is Wiesel during this opening chapter? How many siblings does he have and what are their names?

Wiesel is 13 years old during the opening chapter. He has three siblings named Hilda, Bea, and Tzipora. He is the only son out of his siblings.

Traditionally, Rosh Hashanah is a time for celebration, marking the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Why, then, is Wiesel afraid of having to wish his father a happy new year?

Wiesel is afraid of having to wish his father a Happy New Year because he knows that the next year will be terrible as well; there will not be a new beginning coming anytime soon. He does not want to be hypocritical. The current year has been horrible. He knows it is not going to be a happy new year.

Thinking back to the description of Akiba Drumer in chapter five, what similarities do Drumer and Wiesel hold? What's a crucial difference between them?

Wiesel is similar to Akiba Drumer because they were both extremely religious. But, they were different because Wiesel did not want to give up on life, while Akiba gave up. Wiesel is still hopeful. Both of them lose their faith as well. Akiba Drumer gives himself up to the selection and gives up on life, while Wiesel keeps his hope and keeps on fighting for his life.

Describe the lie that Wiesel tells to Stein, Reizel's husband. Was lying the morally correct thing to do? Explain your answer.

Wiesel told Stein, Reizel's husband, that his mother had received a letter from Reizel and her children saying everything was ok and that they were doing well. Yes, I think that lying was morally the right thing to do because telling Stein the actual truth would have ruined him. Stein would not have anything else to keep himself going and would want to die. Stein ended up staying alive longer, since Wiesel lied to him. Wiesel tells him this because he knows Stein will not have anything left to live for. Stein ends up finding out the truth and most likely gives up on life.

Given Wiesel's description of the behavior of his fellow Sighet residents, do you think Wiesel views hope as a blessing or a curse? Give evidence from the text to support your answer.

Wiesel views hope as a blessing. Hope was pretty much the only thing keeping them going. He is also frustrated with it because they could have gotten out of it if they would have listened to the warning signs. Evidence from the text that supports my answer is: "Life was normal again. A calm, reassuring wind blew through our homes. The shopkeepers were doing good business, the students lived among their books, and the children played in the streets" (6).

Describe Wiesel's opinion of his fellow Sighet citizens. Find and write a line from the text that supports your statement.

Wiesel's opinion of his fellow Sighet citizens is that he sees them as very hypocritical. For example, here is a quote from the book: "As a rule, our townspeople, while they did help the needy, did not particularly like them" (3). Wiesel does not dislike them, but he knows their flaws. He knows that they are foolishly hopeful because everything is going terribly wrong and they are being very optimistic.