The holocaust, was a deadly time during WWll. It was in which the Nazi Germany murdered many European Jews, around the early 1940’s. The protagonist of the novel, Night, is continuously torn between a sense of devoted duty. He has an interest in self-preservation. Whenever he leaves his father behind, however, he later believes that his own life and no one else is worth saving. Throughout the novel night, dehumanization affects people in their loss of faith, to changes with true relationships. Faith is an important factor that was repeated multiple times. Elie Wiesel’s novel Night, tells his experience during the Holocaust. This was a terrible time back then. Many died and were hurt. Elie had a large amount of faith in his Jewish culture, prior to going to a concentration camp.
In the novel it states “Together we would read over and over again, the same page of Zohar. He doesn’t want to learn it by heart, but by the essence of divinity”, examples from (5). This shows how he cared a lot about his religion and faith. From this, it shows how faith is an important factor in the Novel. Secondly, Also explaining how faith changed throughout the novel, “In the beginning there was faith – which is childish; trust – which is vain; and illusion – which is dangerous.” furthermore this shows, that in the beginning of the novel they all had hope, but at the end it slowly changed during their time at the concentration camps. This is important, because many are religious and faithful to god. Faith and religion was a important aspect of his life. Lastly, “And now-when the end seemed near-fate has separated them.” (91). This is important because, it show show they waited for a long time for some food, and they prayed.
Lastly as stated in the book, “For God’s sake, where is god.” (65). This quote shows how faith has changed. Soon, loss of faith affected them. There are many reasons to support the fact how harsh and dangerous time during the Holocaust and concentration camps has changed family relationships. At first, Moishe and his father were always close, but became further. During the time at the concentration camps, everyone was self preserved. They could only care for themselves. They did not have the courage and power to help anyone else, if they did, they knew they would not survive. In the novel it shows how he and his father had courage for one another and a chance to gain relationships back. “I went up to him, took his hand and kissed it. I felt a tear on my hand. Whose was it? Mine? His? I said nothing.” (68). This quote is important to the idea of a change in relationships because at first, they were close but got further when they experienced how staying close with a loved one during the holocaust can lead one individual to danger. To getting close with his father.
Also as stated “What happened to me? My father had just been struck, and I had not even blinked.” (39) The reason for why this quote is important is because it shows how the relationships between both of then changed from the start to the end. As stated directly in the Novel “Try to sleep. Gather your strength for the Journey.” (83) This quote connects to the idea of change in relationships between Elie and his father. His father had hope for Elie, that everything will go fine, stay healthy to live will and be ready for the long journey. In conclusion, the loss of faith, and change of relationships is shown multiple times throughout the novel. This shows how those two ideas lead to the outcome of dehumanization. Back then during the time of the holocaust it was dangerous and families were separated. Now we have none of this. We are not separated from people we love.These ideas lead to the big idea of dehumanization in Elie’s perspective.
