Summary:
Reviews the book Night, by Elie Weisel. Provides a character analysis of Elie and examines her behavior in the concentration camp.
The head of the block says to Elie,"here every man has to fight for himself and not think of anyone else... Here, there are no fathers, no brothers, and no friends'
Does this statement reflect how Elie behaves"
This advice given to Elie is in complete conflict with what helps him to survive his time in the concentration camps of "Aushwitz" and "Buchenwald." Elie survives through the strengthened relationship he has with his father and the befriending of others Jew such as Yossi and Tibi. Although his own instincts does at times compromise the relationships he has with others for the most part the statement does not reflect how Elie behaves.
Elie is a loyal son who through the morals in which he has been taught would never betray his father. At the beginning of the memoir it can be seen how Chlomo models himself for Elie. As Chlomo is always "concerned with others" it taught Elie to ensure that the feelings of those around him were always taken into account. It was this vital lesson which made sure that Elie would never leave his father as his respect for others was too high. This can be seen during the first encounter with Doctor Mengle. When Elie was directed to the right he turned to see which way his father was forced to go. "A weight was lifted from my heart" after realizing that Chlomo and Elie were to be kept together. Furthermore Elie's respect for others is exemplified when he takes into account his cousins Stein's feelings before answering to him that his family was "very well." All this proves that Elie's behavior did not follow the advice given to him.
Moreover the help Elie gives his father shows how he defies the statement. Elie's love and dedication to Chlomo made him only think of his father and not only of himself. Although this was dangerous to Elie's health he always ensured that his father was well equipped to avoid the Nazi's cruelty. The natural role of the father taking care of his son shifted to the opposite throughout Night. Elie surrendered his own rations to his father in an attempt for Chlomo to build strength to evade selection. Elie also saved his father from being thrown off the cattle wagon to Buchenwald by slapping him out of unconsciousness. This love shown by Elie would not have occurred if he had followed the warning.
The befriending of other Jews in Aushwitz and Buchenwald assisted Elie in persevering life in the concentration camps and demonstrates how he resisted obliging to the advice given to him. During his time in the concentration camps Elie become goods friends with Yossi and Tibi. Without this friendship Elie may never had lasted to liberation. It was the "brotherly words' and the pact that they shall be "stronger" if they "keep together" which enabled Elie to have the support he needed to survive. By maintaining relationships with others it confirms Elie's disregard of the advice from the head of the block.
There are times though throughout the memoir where Elie admits to thoughts of betraying his father. It was at the concentration camp of Buchenwald where Elie's devotion to his father was tested the most. It was here when he began considering to stop helping Chlomo and desert him. However it was the feeling of shame and guilt which didn't allow this event to substantiate. Elie never wanted to become like Rabbi Eliahou's son or Meir who abandoned there fathers in their time of need. Elie continues to feel ashamed when he did not protect his father during the bashings of Idek or when Chlomo was attacked by the gypsy. Elie exclaims "this is what concentration life had made of me"" in an attempt to justify his omission in not aiding his father. Elie knows that he would be better off without the "burden" of his father however he is too loyal to leave him. Although Elie's actions do contradict the advice given to him he does at times believe that the statement is correct.
Elie's actions do not follow the advice given to him by the head of the block. He in fact challenges it with every being of his fiber. Elie stays loyal to his father and never abandons him even though he could be better off on his own. Elie also befriends Yossi and Tibi who as a team assist in each others survival of the war. Even though at some points Elie does consider attempting to be independent and follow the advice of the head it goes against the morals which have been instilled in him. Therefore the statement does not reflect in any way how Elie behaved.
This is the complete article, containing 780 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page).
