Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel

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"Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere....

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Loss of Humanity


In the memoir Night there are some recurring themes that really stick out to me. One of the themes in particular affected me in a negative way the theme was losing their humanity. Through Elie's experiences I can see him losing more and more humility and sympathy for the other people around him. “I watched other hangings. I never saw a single victim weep. These withered bodies had long forgotten the bitter taste of tears”(63). While I know that Elie has gone through so much trauma and probably had cried the last of his tears a long time ago, I still think that there should be at least some sad or mournful reaction while watching someone getting hanged. Another theme that I think is present in the book is faith/ the loss of it and for me this is one of the most heartbreaking themes in the book. “Behind me, I heard the same man asking: “For God’s sake, where is God?” And from within me, I heard a voice answer: “Where He is? This is where-hanging here from this gallows…”(65). That statement for me is where Elie has lost all his hope and all his humanity.

2 comments:

  1. Hello Mia, I agree with you when you said there should have been a mournful reaction because it is literally impossible for someone to not react when there is a sad and barbarious situation.

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  2. Mia,
    You have some very interesting points. You did a good job talking about Elie's emotions. I found it interesting that you thought he should have felt sadness at the hanging. Overall, good job.
    -Ben McC.

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