Dehumanization and Destruction: Insights from 'The Night'

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Elie Wiesel’s book “The Night” is an autobiography of the complete destruction of the Jews, in which he had experienced with his father. Elie Wiesel writes about his disturbing experiences and the how he and his fellow Jews were tortured by the Nazis. Wiesel describes the inequality, brutality, inhumanity and how they were treated worse than any human. The Jews were dehumanised and they were taken their identity from them, this happened when they first arrived at the first camp and they were given all the same clothes, haircuts and tattooing a number on them. The destruction of Eliezer’s town, his family and his faith in god were all taken away from him. This is portrayed throughout the book by using symbols, quotes, images which signify the horrors and devastating experiences the Jews and Eliezer experienced. Elie Wiesel uses many techniques in his story, Night is used throughout the book, as a title, to symbolise death, to symbolise destruction and loss of faith. In Night, Wiesel exploits this allusion. Night always occurs when suffering is worst, and its presence reflects Eliezer’s belief that he lives in a world without God. The first-time Eliezer mentions that “night fell” is when his father is interrupted …show more content…

He was hung because the SS believed that he was leading a resistance force. This child was hunged with two other men infront of everyone. Eliezer at this stage is beginning to lose faith and has no hope. This hanging of the young innocent boy seriously affects all peoples of the concentration camps. It arouses feelings of pity and sorrow that are a rare in the jaded atmosphere of the death camp. Even though the Nazis kill thousands of Jews on a daily basis, but the hanging of the child becomes an act of unspeakable and horrid cruelty. The prisoners all weep, and Eliezer feels like the Nazis have succeeded in killing God himself. This quote shows Eliezer’s beliefs fading

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