By Elie Wiesel. Systematic persecution of European Jews began as soon as the Nazis gained control of Germany's government in 1933. Within two years, the.

By Elie Wiesel

• Systematic persecution of European Jews began as soon as the Nazis gained control of Germany's government in 1933.

• Within two years, the party decreed the Nuremberg Race Laws, which deprived Jews of German citizenship.

• In 1938, Kristallnacht, a government-organized attack, resulted in the destruction of synagogues, businesses, and homes in Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia.

• Soon Jews were forced to wear the Star of David sewn to their clothing, as we will see in Night. T

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Adolf Hitler’s Genocide

• Genocide: the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

• His goal was to exterminate all Jewish people.

• In March of 1944, the German army took over Hungary, and the holocaust reached that region.

• The Nazis murdered over 560,000 Hungarian Jews.

Hitler’s army

• Desperate after the Great Depression, Germans embraced Adolf Hitler's promise of riches to those he dubbed "the master race"—Aryans of pure German blood.

• On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and started World War II.

• The German army immediately began isolating the Jewish population in ghettos.

• In 1942, Nazis declared "The Final Solution," a plan to murder all European Jews.

• The widespread deportation of Jewish families from the ghettos to concentration camps began.

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Genre of Night• While the book Night is about

Wiesel’s life, it is not necessarily considered an autobiography.

• He changes facts to make his characters different, making this story have some dramatized elements.

• Because of this, his story is considered more of a memoir than an actual novel.

Genre of Night

Memoir: a literary nonfiction genre; collection of memories recorded by the individual who experienced them…. (similar to an autobiography)•Elie- narrator and protagonist of his own history.

•Why do you think Wiesel called his memoir Night? •Wiesel called his experiences of writing his story “cathartic.” Why do you think he used this word?

Anaphora: a repetition of a word or series of words for poetic/dramatic effect.

Motif: any subject, idea, concept, that is present all throughout a literary work. (It is almost like a ‘mini theme’)…..

Characters

• Eliezer -  The narrator of Night, protagonist, a teenage boy in the 1940’s. Dedicated to his faith in the beginning.

• Chlomo - Eliezer’s father. His name is only mentioned one time throughout the novel, and is the only other character that is constant until the end. Highly regarded in the community.

• Moshe the Beadle -Eliezer’s teacher of Jewish mysticism, Moshe is a poor Jew who lives in Sighet.

Chapter 1•Moishe is an expert on the Kabbalah, an area of Judaism (Jewish mysticism) Elie has a deep interest in.•Moishe- “awkward”, doesn’t seem to care about what others think of him. He is comfortable in his own skin, seems completely sustained by his faith….•Elie’s father thinks he is too young to study the Kabbalah. It is the sort of area that can only be understood by those with greater wisdom and life experience…..

Elie as a young boy….

It is 1941…..The memoir opens with Moishe the Beadle, a devoutly religious, “poorest of the poor” Jew from Elie’s hometown of Sighet in Transylvania (This region is now part of Romania).Notice that people, though, don’t seem to mind that he’s poor; he’s almost ‘invisible’, a harmless kind of guy...•Moishe has a profound effect on Elie’s spirituality as a young boy of almost 13.

Elie as a young boy….

• Elie has two older sisters, Hilda and Bea, and one younger sister, Tzipora.

• Elie’s crying when he prays reveals his tremendous faith. He is tremendously moved and affected by the idea of praying to God. Moishe helps foster Elie’s dialogue with God.

Moishe, since he is a foreignJew, is taken out of Sighetdue to Nazi orders….

He tries to warn the others of his horrible experiences, but they do need listen to his warnings for various reasons: they believe he actually is crazy or they are trying to protect themselves from hearing a horrible reality….(inciting

incident)

Moishe is never the same again; he never recoversfrom his experiences….

1943 was a reasonably ‘good’ year for the Wiesels. The people of Sighet still fail to understand the depth of the threat that is fast approaching. Life is anything but “normal.”

“Annihilate an entire people?...By what means? …Of course we had heard of the Fascists, but it was all in the abstract.” (not based in reality)- reflects their denial.

1944- Red Army (Soviets) make strides against Hitler. “Optimism soon revived.” – personification & situational irony: a great contrast between what actually happens and what is expected or appropriate.

As begun during Kristallnacht, the Jews of Sighet notice their rights slipping away as edicts are issued. (an official order typically issued by the gov’t)Mr. and Mrs. Wiesel both seem to be in a sort of shock… Life is anything but “normal.” Ghettos functioned as part of a larger apparatus: complex state-sponsored system designed for the purposes of control. Jews are not very frightened of the Germans since they are kind at first (strategic). Anaphora- “No more fear. No more anguish.”

“Ghetto was ruled by neither German or Jew; it was ruled by delusion.”

“Night fell.” – ‘Night’ is repeated as a metaphor for the emotional darkness and great sadness that envelopes Elie and his family.

Stern: “The story that he had interrupted would remain unfinished.”- foreshadowing of the separation that was soon to occur.

Chlomo knows the transports to the camps are about to begin. The ghettos will be emptied; the citizens will innocently board train cars to be sent to the death camps.

Phylacteries- Jewish term- leather pouches or boxes worn on the body containing Old Testament passages. They are considered sacred objects or like relics.

Notice Elie’s description of the “pitiful relics” and “valuable objects” all over the ghettos…..Elie still has his phylacteries.

Chief Rabbi was presumably forced to shave his beard. The face of Mrs. Wiesel is like a “mask”- her emotions have become deadened…

Elie: “Oh God, Master of the Universe!”- personification & kenning- Notice his faith is still intact

Conflagration- destructive fire (foreshadowing of /allusion to the fires in the death camps)

Chapter 2

Notice the inhumane conditions the people are forced to tolerate during the transports: they are so cramped they cannot lie down, are without anything to drink, and are extremely hot, are referred to as “dogs.” Gestapo: If anyone escapes, those remaining would be shot.

Mrs. Schachter- her hysteria is a foreshadowing (prediction/hint) of what awaits them. They beat her mercilessly as she screams repeatedly about “fire.” (anaphora) She currently is with her son. She never recovered from being separated from her husband and two sons. She knows what awaits them. (How is she like Moishe?)

“The separation had totally shattered her.”

Chapter 2

Their great ignorance: they do not know what is happening at Auschwitz. Also, who does Elie refer to as “strange-looking creatures”? Why do you think he does this? Who are these people? “The smell of burning flesh” overpowers them as they arrive at Birkenau, part of the Auschwitz complex.

The only thing that quiets Mrs. Schachter is the stopping of the train. Why might this be?

It is around “midnight.”

Chapter 3Elie feels pressure to lie about his age and occupation to the SS officer since only those who are young and useful will escape selection. He is separated forever from his mother and Tzipora. The prisoners want to fight for their lives, but they are unable to do so under constant threat of death: “We can’t let them kill us like that, like cattle in a slaughterhouse.”

Dr. Mengele- “Angel of Death”- kenning- among the worst of the SS officers- famous for his horrible medical experimentation upon the inmates.

Elie is scarred by the sight of babies thrown into the flames…

“Never shall I forget those flames”- anaphora- his faith is forever changed by what happened….

Characters • Dr. Josef Mengele -  the historically infamous Dr. Mengele was the cruel doctor who presided over the selection of arrivals at Auschwitz/Birkenau.

• Idek - Eliezer’s Kapo (Nazi police officer at Buna, the work camp)

Dr. Josef Mengele was appropriately nicknamed “the Angel of Death” by inmates at Auschwitz

Chapter 3Kaddish- Jewish prayer of mourning for the dead… Elie’s changes both physically and spiritually: he is tattooed, made to wear a uniform, his head is shaved, and forced to endure his various beatings and others’ suffering, esp his father’s….Bela Katz- prisoner who is forced to throw his own father into the furnaceWho are Kapos?.....The Gypsy beats Elie’s father, Chlomo.The inscription on the gates of Auschwitz: Arbeit Macht Frei- “Work Makes You Free”- irony and propaganda “Never shall I forget those flames”- anaphora- his faith is forever changed by what happened….

Auschwitz

Chapter 3The prisoners are given rations: black coffee, stale bread, soup. At first, Elie does not wish to eat, but then he wishes to eat to avoid starvation.A-7713: Elie’s tattoo- he is stripped of his identity literally and figuratively….He is no longer thought of as a person. Stein- an old relative of the Weisels. He is looking for his wife and young sons. To protect Stein, Elie lies and say he knows they are ok. Stein: “We never saw him again. He had been given the news. The real news.” verbal irony- Elie is referring to Stein’s death…Akiba Drumer: a fellow prisoner whose faith seems to be rock solid: “We have no right to despair..”

Quick Review of Key Literary TermsQuick Review of Key Literary TermsThe plot of most literary works can be The plot of most literary works can be

broken down into parts:broken down into parts:1.EXPOSITION:1.EXPOSITION:

Introduction of setting and charactersIntroduction of setting and characters2. INCITING INCIDENT:2. INCITING INCIDENT:

Turning point, or key event that Turning point, or key event that introduces a conflict, drives plot forwardintroduces a conflict, drives plot forward

3. RISING ACTION/COMPLICATION3. RISING ACTION/COMPLICATION4. CLIMAX4. CLIMAX: : moment of highest tensionmoment of highest tension

5. DENOUEMENT5. DENOUEMENT6. RESOLUTION:6. RESOLUTION: Conflicts resolved Conflicts resolved

Key Events Through Chapter 3Key Events Through Chapter 31.EXPOSITION: 1.EXPOSITION: Audience is introduced to Elie, his family, Audience is introduced to Elie, his family,

Moishe Moishe 2. INCITING INCIDENT:2. INCITING INCIDENT:Moishe comes back and tries to warn the Moishe comes back and tries to warn the Jews of Sighet about what had happened Jews of Sighet about what had happened to him and the threat that was coming…. to him and the threat that was coming…. 3. RISING ACTION/COMPLICATION:3. RISING ACTION/COMPLICATION:

Begins later in Chapter 1 when the Begins later in Chapter 1 when the Germans first arrive in Elie’s Germans first arrive in Elie’s

community….community….

Chapter 4Chapter 4 At the end of Ch. 3, Elie and his father are At the end of Ch. 3, Elie and his father are

moved from moved from Birkenau to BunaBirkenau to Buna. Both camps . Both camps were part of the were part of the Auschwitz complex Auschwitz complex in in present-day present-day PolandPoland. .

Young boys became targets of sexual abuse Young boys became targets of sexual abuse at the hands of lead Nazi officers. Notice how at the hands of lead Nazi officers. Notice how the “tent leader” and “head of the camp” are the “tent leader” and “head of the camp” are portrayed very negatively….portrayed very negatively….

KommandosKommandos: work blocks or camps: work blocks or camps Elie wishes to hold onto his shoes despite Elie wishes to hold onto his shoes despite

being offered more being offered more rationsrations. (“. (“They were all I They were all I had lefthad left.”) They are later taken from him .”) They are later taken from him anyway….anyway….

Chapter 4Chapter 4 Medical examinations determine who is fit to Medical examinations determine who is fit to

work and who will be sent to the work and who will be sent to the crematorium. Dentists would check for gold crematorium. Dentists would check for gold crowns and eventually extract them.crowns and eventually extract them.

JuliekJuliek, a Polish prisoner and gifted violinist, , a Polish prisoner and gifted violinist, is forbidden to play German music is forbidden to play German music (Beethoven).(Beethoven).

FranekFranek- cruel Polish foreman, Kapo- cruel Polish foreman, Kapo Elie pretends to be ill to save his gold crown. Elie pretends to be ill to save his gold crown.

Note the Note the ironyirony surrounding the dentist: he is surrounding the dentist: he is hung for keeping the gold crowns he hung for keeping the gold crowns he extracted from the Nazis….extracted from the Nazis….

Chapter 4Chapter 4 IdekIdek- Kapo in charge of Elie’s work crew- prone - Kapo in charge of Elie’s work crew- prone

to random and violent fits of madness, beats Elie to random and violent fits of madness, beats Elie and his father with an iron bar for virtually no and his father with an iron bar for virtually no reasonreason

FLASHFORWARDFLASHFORWARD- literary device in which the - literary device in which the story shifts forward in time. It reveals important story shifts forward in time. It reveals important parts of the story that are yet to occur. parts of the story that are yet to occur.

During the flashforward, Elie discusses meeting During the flashforward, Elie discusses meeting the Jewish Frenchwoman who had helped him the Jewish Frenchwoman who had helped him after Idek had beaten him the first time. He after Idek had beaten him the first time. He learns during the flashforward that she was learns during the flashforward that she was Jewish. Jewish.

Chapter 4Chapter 4 Franek beats Elie’s father Chlomo mercilessly so Franek beats Elie’s father Chlomo mercilessly so

that Elie will give him his gold crown. Elie’s gold that Elie will give him his gold crown. Elie’s gold crown is extracted with the help of a rusty crown is extracted with the help of a rusty spoon. Franek is later transferred to another spoon. Franek is later transferred to another camp.camp.

Elie catches Idek engaging in sexual relations Elie catches Idek engaging in sexual relations with a female prisoner. Idek has Elie beaten with a female prisoner. Idek has Elie beaten publicly with a whip for ‘spying.’publicly with a whip for ‘spying.’

A man is shot for trying to steal a ration of soup A man is shot for trying to steal a ration of soup during the Allied air raid.during the Allied air raid.

The camp at Buna is being bombed; prisoners The camp at Buna is being bombed; prisoners must dispose of it.must dispose of it.

Chapter 4Chapter 4 Juliek whispers to Elie before the hanging of a Juliek whispers to Elie before the hanging of a

young boy for theft: “This ceremony, will it be young boy for theft: “This ceremony, will it be over soon? I’m hungry…”over soon? I’m hungry…”

Notice how desperate and even inhuman the Notice how desperate and even inhuman the prisoners had become. Elie himself had said prisoners had become. Elie himself had said that bread and food became his “entire life.”that bread and food became his “entire life.”

OberkapoOberkapo- popular head overseer, is tortured - popular head overseer, is tortured and transferred to Auschwitz for sabotage during and transferred to Auschwitz for sabotage during an air raid. The young an air raid. The young pipelpipel (described as an (described as an “angel”) who had helped him is hung publicly.“angel”) who had helped him is hung publicly.

During this hanging, many are weeping, During this hanging, many are weeping, including some Nazi officers. The boy is so light including some Nazi officers. The boy is so light that the hanging takes a long time. “For God’s that the hanging takes a long time. “For God’s sake, where is God?” (Elie: the gallows)sake, where is God?” (Elie: the gallows)

Chapter 5Chapter 5 Chapter opens with prisoners gathering in Chapter opens with prisoners gathering in

prayer for Rosh Hashanah.prayer for Rosh Hashanah. Elie’s faith continues to deteriorateElie’s faith continues to deteriorate- refers to - refers to

himself as a “former mystic”, does not fast on himself as a “former mystic”, does not fast on Yom KippurYom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year- , the holiest day of the Jewish year- symbolic of his rebellion against Godsymbolic of his rebellion against God

““Achtung!”- German for attention, instills fear in Achtung!”- German for attention, instills fear in the prisoners…the prisoners…

Elie constantly begins to fear that his father will Elie constantly begins to fear that his father will not pass the selection processnot pass the selection process

Elie avoids selection only by running fast to Elie avoids selection only by running fast to prove he is fit, active, healthy….prove he is fit, active, healthy….

Chapter 5Chapter 5 Elie’s “inheritance:- a knife and a spoon. He Elie’s “inheritance:- a knife and a spoon. He

sobs, showing how much he has been degraded sobs, showing how much he has been degraded and how much he fears his father’s death…and how much he fears his father’s death…

Akiba Drumer, previously so faithful, struggles Akiba Drumer, previously so faithful, struggles with his faith, but it is still present somewhat.with his faith, but it is still present somewhat.

Notice that the inmates do not say the Kaddish Notice that the inmates do not say the Kaddish for him as Akiba had requested. They forget, for him as Akiba had requested. They forget, are too concerned with survival….are too concerned with survival….

Chapter 5Chapter 5 Elie’s right foot begins to swell for unknown Elie’s right foot begins to swell for unknown

causes in the infirmary (hospital).causes in the infirmary (hospital). His neighbor, suffering from dysentery, fears His neighbor, suffering from dysentery, fears

Hitler’s forces greatly, warns Elie that he should Hitler’s forces greatly, warns Elie that he should must leave the infirmary to avoid selection. must leave the infirmary to avoid selection. (What would selection mean?...)(What would selection mean?...)

Elie’s operation goes well; his leg does not have Elie’s operation goes well; his leg does not have to be amputated after all…..to be amputated after all…..

Rhetorical questionsRhetorical questions throughout the narration throughout the narration make the reader think, heighten the mood, add make the reader think, heighten the mood, add drama and tension….drama and tension….

Chapter 5Chapter 53 Types of irony3 Types of irony

Verbal IronyVerbal Irony: : a statement in which a a statement in which a character says one things but means character says one things but means something else. It is typically intentional, is something else. It is typically intentional, is similar to sarcasm. similar to sarcasm. ““A royal feast going to waste!” (Elie on the soup..)A royal feast going to waste!” (Elie on the soup..)Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony: the reader knows more than the : the reader knows more than the audience… audience… Situational IronySituational Irony: what actually happens is not : what actually happens is not what one would expect or what would be what one would expect or what would be appropriate. appropriate. ““After the war, I learned the fate of those who had After the war, I learned the fate of those who had remained at the infirmary. They were,….liberated remained at the infirmary. They were,….liberated

by the Russians…”by the Russians…”

Chapter 6Chapter 6 CLIMAX- CLIMAX- occurs when the Jews are occurs when the Jews are running from Buna, and Elie’s father running from Buna, and Elie’s father

is on the brink of death. is on the brink of death. What are the Jews typically referred What are the Jews typically referred

to as all throughout the memoir?to as all throughout the memoir? As subhuman, as animals, “dogs,…As subhuman, as animals, “dogs,…

swine, pigs”- swine, pigs”- powerful imagery, powerful imagery, also a MOTIF also a MOTIF

Other motifs: Other motifs: religion, religious religion, religious traditions, and especially the use of traditions, and especially the use of the word “NIGHT.” the word “NIGHT.”

Chapter 6Chapter 6 Zalman: Zalman: Polish boy who is trampled to Polish boy who is trampled to

death during the death march death during the death march Elie: “Elie: “DDeath enveloped me.”eath enveloped me.”

Strong personificationStrong personification Jews run for at least 3 days….Jews run for at least 3 days…. ““One died because one had to . No One died because one had to . No

point in making trouble.”point in making trouble.”- - understatementunderstatementAll throughout, Elie uses words very All throughout, Elie uses words very minimally to make a more powerful minimally to make a more powerful

statement. statement.

Chapter 6Chapter 6 Theme: importance of father-son bondsTheme: importance of father-son bonds Rabbi Eliahu’s son Rabbi Eliahu’s son intentionally lost his father intentionally lost his father

during the death march, wanted to be rid of himduring the death march, wanted to be rid of him Elie: Elie: “Oh God, Master of the Universe!” Give me “Oh God, Master of the Universe!” Give me

the strength never to do what RE’s son has the strength never to do what RE’s son has done!”…Sons abandoned their fathers w/out a done!”…Sons abandoned their fathers w/out a tear….”tear….”

Juliek’s last act- Juliek’s last act- plays a Beethoven concerto- plays a Beethoven concerto- loaded w/ loaded w/ symbolismsymbolism

Chapter 7Chapter 7 Theme: importance of father-son bonds Theme: importance of father-son bonds

continues- continues- Elie protects his father’s dying body Elie protects his father’s dying body in the cattle car, prevents him from being buried in the cattle car, prevents him from being buried half-alivehalf-alive

Prisoners who serve as “gravediggers”- Prisoners who serve as “gravediggers”- verbal verbal irony- & metaphor- irony- & metaphor- emphasizes how degraded emphasizes how degraded they have all become, survival mode at its most they have all become, survival mode at its most dramatic…dramatic…

Prisoners are “ready to kill for a crust of bread.”Prisoners are “ready to kill for a crust of bread.” Flashforward: Flashforward: Elie can’t bear the sight of the Elie can’t bear the sight of the

Frenchwoman throwing coins into a fountain and Frenchwoman throwing coins into a fountain and watching the kids fight over it; the sight reminds watching the kids fight over it; the sight reminds him of the prisoners fighting over the food. him of the prisoners fighting over the food.

Chapter 7Chapter 7 On their way to Buchenwald in Germany, an On their way to Buchenwald in Germany, an

unidentified man begs his son not to kill him over unidentified man begs his son not to kill him over a crust of bread. The son kills the father for the a crust of bread. The son kills the father for the bread, and then the son, too, is killed. bread, and then the son, too, is killed.

Elie on the above incident: “Elie on the above incident: “I was sixteen.” I was sixteen.” Understatement- why?Understatement- why?

A stranger strangles Elie for no reason, most A stranger strangles Elie for no reason, most likely due to insanity- shows again how they are likely due to insanity- shows again how they are almost not human anymore….almost not human anymore….

Meir Katz- Meir Katz- once so physically and mentally once so physically and mentally strong- cannot protect Elie….strong- cannot protect Elie….

Chapter ends with their arrival at Chapter ends with their arrival at Buchenwald. Buchenwald.

Chapter 8Chapter 8 Elie begins to become like a father to his own Elie begins to become like a father to his own

weakened father, Shlomo, who suffers from weakened father, Shlomo, who suffers from dysentery. dysentery.

Elie on his father: “He had already chosen Elie on his father: “He had already chosen Death…” Death…”

-Personification and Foreshadowing-Personification and Foreshadowing Elie compares his father to a child and a Elie compares his father to a child and a

“wounded animal.” He compares himself to “wounded animal.” He compares himself to Rabbi Eliahu’s son. Why? Rabbi Eliahu’s son. Why?

At this point, how are Elie and his father like Mrs. At this point, how are Elie and his father like Mrs. Schachter and her son? Schachter and her son?

Chapter 8Chapter 8 Elie listens to the advice of the head of the Elie listens to the advice of the head of the

block: save yourself! Elie does decide to give his block: save yourself! Elie does decide to give his father soup, but he can only tolerate water. Elie father soup, but he can only tolerate water. Elie feels guilty- and conflicted- about viewing his feels guilty- and conflicted- about viewing his Shlomo as a burden…Shlomo as a burden…

On January 29, 1945, Elie wakes up to find that On January 29, 1945, Elie wakes up to find that his father has died. his father has died.

Elie on his father’s death: Elie on his father’s death: “Free at last!” “Free at last!” Why are these words in his consciousness? Why are these words in his consciousness?

Chapter 9Chapter 9 April 5April 5: SS guards order Jews to gather to : SS guards order Jews to gather to

prepare for liquidation and evacuation of the prepare for liquidation and evacuation of the camp…camp…

Falling action/denouementFalling action/denouement: American forces : American forces come to Buchenwald to free the prisoners….come to Buchenwald to free the prisoners….

Elie’s first thoughts as a free man- food Elie’s first thoughts as a free man- food After the death of Shlomo, “nothing mattered.”After the death of Shlomo, “nothing mattered.” ““From the depth of the mirror, a corpse was From the depth of the mirror, a corpse was

contemplating me.”contemplating me.”PersonificationPersonification

Chapter 9Chapter 9 Resolution is achieved: Resolution is achieved: Elie is at last Elie is at last

free- looks into the mirror… free- looks into the mirror… Elie refers to himself in the third person. Elie refers to himself in the third person.

It’s almost as though the person in the It’s almost as though the person in the mirror is a stranger to him. He cannot mirror is a stranger to him. He cannot recognize himself- recognize himself- highly symbolichighly symbolic. .

The entrance gate to Auschwitz bears the German words, Arbeit Macht Frei. “Work makes you free,” Professor Wiesel translates. “And that is the first ironic statement ever made here.”

Symbols

Themes

Fire Night

Eliezer’s struggle to maintain faith in a benevolent God

Silence Inhumanity toward other

humans The importance of Father-

Son bonds

Rhetorical Devices Rhetorical Questions:

The speaker may want to encourage reflection in the reader. For example, when Eliezer sees the babies being thrown into the

fire, he asks a series of questions. “Was I still alive? Was I awake? How was it possible that men,

women, and children were being burned and that the world kept silent?” (p. 32)

Eliezer does not expect an answer to these questions. He wants the reader to think about what his or her reaction might

have been in seeing the same thing.

Figurative language Simile

Be certain not to miss the “like” or “as” when reading the descriptions.

For example, when Eliezer describes Mrs. Schachter on the train he states: “…she looked like a withered tree in a field of wheat.” (p. 25)

The image shows a woman who stands alone among the people who surround her.

She is already dead, as indicated by the word withered.

Figurative language

Personification Personification is used to give human qualities to

animals or objects. “A glacial wind was enveloping us.” “The stomach alone was measuring time.” “Jealousy devoured us, consumed us.”

Figurative language Irony

Verbal irony is when someone says one thing and means another; dramatic irony is when the reader knows something that the character does not know; situational irony is the discrepancy between the expected results and the actual results.

For example, when Eliezer goes to meet the dentist, the dentist has a mouth of “yellow, rotten teeth.” (p. 51)

The irony is that a dentist should have mouth of perfect teeth. Another example of irony is the inscription that is on the

iron gate at Auschwitz: “Work makes you free.”

Figurative Language Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a literary device that is used when the speaker gives hints about what is going to happen later in the plot.

There are various examples of foreshadowing in Night, but they are very subtle.

The reader often recognizes them after reading further in the text.

One of the clearest examples of foreshadowing is Mrs. Schächter’s vision of the fires before the prisoners reach the camps.

Motifs Throughout Night, Wiesel repeats literary devices and

images that help to develop the memoir’s major themes.

Notice how night and light are used throughout the text; how the Jewish traditions and holidays help to pace the

memoir; and how animal imagery is used to explore the dehumanization of

the Jews.

…in the East Room of the White House in Washington, February 25, 2010.

U.S. President Barack Obama presents the 2009 National Humanities Medal to Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel…

Recognition…

• Wiesel has lived his life speaking out against all forms of racism and violence.

• In 1985 he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Freedom and, in 1986, the Nobel Prize for Peace.

• He is partially responsible for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.

The house in Sighet where Wiesel was born…

photographed in 2007.

The image depicts a deserted street in Sighet's Jewish getto, after the Jews were deported from it to be exterminated at Auschwitz, in May 1944…

…just three weeks before the Normandy invasion.