Night Sections 1-6

1. Night Sections 1-6

3. Question 1 - 10 • Does Madame Schächter keep her dignity on the train? Explain why or why not.

4. Answer 1 – 10 • Yes she did: she kept screaming because she truly wanted to warn the people about what was coming no matter how crazy she sounded • No she didn’t: even when she was tied up and gagged she still managed to make a fool out of herself and look crazy amongst the other passengers.

5. Question 1 - 20 • How is the theme dignity in the face of inhumane cruelty represented in this section? Think about Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur at the camp and Eliezer’s participation.

6. Answer 1 – 20 • At Yom Kippur Wiesel did not want to fast because it was dangerous to do so and because he did not believe in God. They were so malnourished that some wanted to prove that even in such horrible conditions they would still respect the tradition even though it could be detrimental to their health

7. Question 1 - 30 • What is the tradition of Yom Kippur?

8. Answer 1 – 30 • It is the holiest day of the year for Jewish people where they must fast and pray in order to be cleansed of their sins.

9. Question 1 - 40 • What excuse does Elizer give when he is called to go to the dentist to have his gold crown pulled?

10. Answer 1 – 40 • He said he was too ill and promises that he would return when he felt better

11. Question 1 - 50 • Give an example of how Elizer’s faith in his family has changed, specifically his faith in his father.

12. Answer 1 – 50 • When Idek takes his rage out on Elizer’s father, he thinks that it is Chlomo’s own fault for not staying away from Idek when he is angry.

13. Question 2 - 10 • What does Wiesel mean when he says that the prisoners stood naked… “This must show how one stands at the last judgment”?

14. Answer 2 – 10 • There are many possible answers such as: • He means that we come into this life naked and may leave our lives naked. • Judgment day has always been seen as a demeaning experience • The Jews were going to be killed no matter what; their judgment day was imminent

15. Question 2 - 20 • Why is Eliezer skeptical of praying when he first enters the camp? What does he see that makes him so skeptical of his religion?

16. Answer 2 – 20 • He is skeptical because they are heading toward the pit with burning bodies. Everyone is praying but he does not understand why they are praying if they are not going to be saved.

17. Question 2 - 30 • What kind of faith does Akiba Drumer have in the beginning of the memoir? What does he predict that will happen to the Jews in the camp?

18. Answer 2 – 30 • Akiba still has a very strong faith and thinks that the Jewish people will be rescued from the camp.

19. Question 2 - 40 • Elizer does not believe that Jews are “God’s chosen people”. Why does he think this way?

20. Answer 2 – 40 • He thinks this way because all of the Jewish people are being sentenced to death.

21. Question 2 - 50 • Finish this quotation: “Where is God now?” And I heard a voice within me answer him: “Where is He? He is– He is hanging here on these ________?”

22. Answer 2 – 50 “Where is God now?” And I heard a voice within me answer him: “Where is He? He is– He is hanging here on these gallows.”

23. Question 3 - 10 • How did the “face of the camp” change on the morning of the evacuation?

24. Answer 3 – 10 The prisoners were wearing strange outfits: like clowns or a masquerade trying to put on as much clothes as they could to keep warm.

25. Question 3 - 20 • On the morning of the evacuation why were the prisoners ordered to clean the floor? How did they feel about their task?

26. Answer 3 – 20 • The prisoners were ordered to clean the floor before evacuation so that when the Red Army came in they would think that men lived in the barracks and not pigs. • The prisoners were unclear about why they had to do it, and were confused as to whether the SS soldiers actually believed that the Jews were men and not pigs.

27. Question 3 - 30 • When Elizer is in the hospital, why does he decide to leave? • Was it the smartest decision?

28. Answer 3 – 30 • He decides to leave because he hears that the Russian army may come to save them. He thinks that the people in the hospital will be killed so he and his father leave. • No, because the people in the infirmary were freed only a few days after they had left.

29. Question 3 - 40 • Why do you suppose the author chooses to use a series of short sentences when the prisoners are preparing to leave? • What is the effect?

30. Answer 3 – 40 • The short sentences represent each small step in the large journey. It creates anticipation for the freedom of the Jews. 

31. Question 3 - 50 • Are most of the Nazis Wiesel describes apparently enjoying their work, following orders mindlessly, afraid to disobey?

32. Answer 3 – 50 • The soldiers are the rule makers and enjoy having power over the weak. • When they were leaving the camp, the soldiers kept their fingers on the triggers of their guns while everyone ran and would shoot the people who could not keep up because they wanted to keep their power as long as possible.

33. Question 4 - 10 • What sorts of “inheritance” did Wiesel’s father give him?

34. Answer 4 – 10 • A knife and spoon

35. Question 4 - 20 • Why did Eliezer give the knife and spoon back?

36. Answer 4 – 20 • He said his dad would need them just as much as he would and that he would see him again.

37. Question 4 - 30 • What does the inheritance situation show you about how life changes when mere survival is a struggle?

38. Answer 4 – 30 • It shows how something so insignificant can mean when you have nothing. • One small gesture can mean so much in times of need/struggle.

39. Question 4 - 40 • What educational gift was Elie given by Moshe the Beadle? • Hint: this is not a physical item

40. Answer 4 – 40 • Extensive learning of Cabbala

41. Question 4 - 50 • What piece of advice did a prisoner give Elizer when he steps off the train and is about to go through the selection process?

42. Answer 4 – 50 • To lie about his age and occupation.

43. Question 5 - 10 • What were used as target practice when Moshe the Beadle was expelled for being a foreign Jew?

44. Answer 5 – 10 • Babies

45. Question 5 - 20 • When reading about the massacre in the forest, we find out that Moshe escapes by __________.

46. Answer 5 – 20 • He was wounded in the leg and pretended to play dead

47. Question 5 - 30 • Elizer and his father meet their relative Stein who is wondering if his family is alive when in fact they are not. What is Elizer’s response?

48. Answer 5 – 30 • He says that the Stein family is alive and well so that Mr. Stein can maintain hope.

49. Question 5 - 40 • What makes the hanging of the pipel different from the other hangings in the camp?

50. Answer 5 – 40 • He is a child and he does not die immediately when he is hung. He struggles on the rope and the workers are forced to watch.