Night+Discussion

=Night Discussion=

== =Part One - Style= Though __Night__ is a historical narrative it reads like a novel. Through the ever prominent use of foreshadowing we are given insight into what will be happening. Other techniques are used, such as under statement. Under statement amplifies the effect of the event by letting the reader empathize and fill in the blanks. Elie's writing style involves a lot of selection of what is said, and many techniques found in fiction. This helps the reader become more engaged and interested in the story. It allows for more emotional passages or can develop other feelings in the reader. -Benjamin Madany

Themes

A theme used in a book such as Night is faith. More specifically, the Struggle and challenge to believe in a benevolent God. Eliezer Wiesel is a character in the book, and also the author. He experienced throughout the novel many atrocities and events that could not allow him to believe God would be there and let it happen. He lost his faith by the end of the book, but returned a regained it later in his life. But truthfully, after seeing and living through extreme cruelty, it makes his faith weak and shaken, because of all of that. The Holocaust, shows the whole world the evil, inhumanity, cruelty, and violence that people are capable of. This theme in the book makes readers think and reflect on events that have happened in their own lives, and lets us see what the Jews during World War II had to experience. It can be used a theme, or as a technique for persuasion and reasoning.

-Zach Hing, English 9B

RESPONSIBILITY Another theme that Elie Wiesel writes about in his condensed memoir, //Night,// is responsibility. He addresses the questions of who is responsible, and are people who are complacent responsible by their lack of action? This is shown by the actions of the people around Elie during the war. For example, all the people who watched the Jews being transported to the concentration camps just watched on the sidelines, them walk away. However, worse then that, they looted and took over their houses after they left. This also ties into the symbol of Madame Schacter and Moshe the Beadle. These two real living characters symbolize Casandra in Greek mythology. Casandra is cures to tell the future, but no one ever listens to her. These two characters in //Night// do the same thing for the Jews but they are just called crazy and ignored. These two characters tried to be responsible in that they told what they knew, but their advice wasn't followed. Does that make them responsible because they couldn't get the others to listen or are the others resonsible for their own fate? This book is a way for Elie to bear witness to others about the Holocaust. This leaves the impression that it is ment to show its audience that when you know something you have to share; it is your responsibility. All tying back to the whole reason for the Holocaust, their faith, the book's theme is centered around Leviticus 19:16. "You shall not go about spreading slander among your kinsmen; nor shall you stand by idly when your neighbor's life is at stake. I am the LORD." -Kimber Wong, English 9B