Night By Elie Wiesel (Page 1-46)

Describe the conditions on the train that Wiesel observed

80 people were in each car. People in the cattle cars only had some water and a little bit of bread. The cars were sealed and crowded.

What is an edict? Identify three rights the Jews of Sighet lost by decree (decree and edict are synonyms).

An edict is basically a set of rules that were imposed on the Jews. The first edict was that Jews were prohibited from leaving their residences or houses for 3 days. The second rule was that every Jew had to wear a yellow star. The third rule was that Jews couldn't go to cafes, restaurants, or synagogues, and they couldn't travel by railroad.

Why did Wiesel plan to kill himself-then change his mind?

He didn't want to face torture and he felt it would be easier if he threw himself on the barbed wire than to experience torture at a concentration camp. He changed his mind because he didn't want to leave his father alone.

What advice did the Polish prisoner in charge of the block give?

He told everyone that there is still hope, and they are in Auschwitz, but they shouldn't give up hope yet.

How was Moishe the Beadle "different"? What did the author and Moishe talk about?

Moishe the Beadle was a beggar. The author and Moishe the Beadle talked about God and the Kabbalah.

What had "broken" Mrs.Schachter? What did she scream about?

Mrs. Schachter was sad in the cattle car because she was separated from her family. She screamed, mentioning that there was a fire that she saw through the window. However, her little boy, or son, claimed that there wasn't a fire. Her separation from her husband and family "broke" her.

What did the SS officer's order the men to do in the barracks? Why does Wiesel say, "my soul had been invaded-and devoured-by a black flame." ?

The SS told men to strip. Wiesel says this because he metaphorically feels that his soul was devoured. He feels humiliated that he has to be naked.

How did Moishe change when he returned? What did he try to tell the Jews? Why didn't they listen to him?

The author, Elie, and Moishe talks about Moishe being shot in the forest. He warned the Jews about when he was shot, and the Jews in the synagogue thought he was angry, so they didn't listen to him.

Why did the young men want to revolt? Why did they change their minds?

The men revolted because they didnt want to be killed or burned to death and they were scared because they were in a concentration camp. However, the older men told them that they were foolish, so they stopped and changed their minds. They stopped because they didn't want to be seperated from their fathers.

Why did Wiesel thank God for mud?

The officer checked if they had shoes. (But they were covered in mud, and his feet weren't sore.) Wiesel thanked God that he created mud because he thought it was a wondrous addition to the infinite universe.

What happened to the truck full of children? How did Wiesel's faith change upon seeing this?

The truck of children were put into fire. Wiesel's faith changed upon seeing this because he thought that God was a terrible master to allow this to happen to Jews. He's starting to question his faith.

Describe the two ghettos created in Sighet

There was one large sighet in the center of the town that was 4 streets, it was called Serpent Street'. Another small one extended over several alleyways on the outskirts of the city or town.

When and where was the author's early boyhood spent?

Transylvania

How did Wiesel get separated from his mother? Which family member was he left with and why?

When Wiesel got off the cattle car and was in Auschwitz, the SS separated the men and the women. Men were to go to the left, and women went to the right. Because of this, Wiesel and his mother were separated, and he was left with his father.

How did the author lie to his relation from Antwerp? Why did he do this?

Wiesel lied about receiving letters from Reizel (Stein's wife). Wiesel met Reizel before she left for Belgium, but never received a letter from her. Wiesel did this because he wanted hope.

Why did the gypsy strike Wiesel's father? What was Wiesel's reaction to this and how is it different from how he would have previously reacted?

Wiesel's father asked where the bathroom was. The gypsy slapped his father. Wiesel was petrified or really scared. When an SS officer told him he was in Auschwitz, he wasn't scared.

When Wiesel's father went to the special meeting of the Council, what information did he learn? What was the rumor and what could they bring?

Wiesel's father came to the realization that his family would be transported and he thinks that they will be transported to Hungary to work in brick factories, but this is only a rumor. He then mentioned that each person will be allowed to bring personal belongings like food and clothing.

Describe the optimism by the townspeople and Wiesel's mother on pg.20.

Wiesel's mother, on page 20, is preparing a meal, in spite of the fact that they are in a ghetto. Wiesel also explains that people's morale wasn't bad and they were getting used to the situation.

What did every Jew have to wear?

Yellow Star of David