Dehumanization In Night

Anabelle Krehley May 2nd, 2024 St. Augustine of Canterbury Grade 8.

Night Analysis

Around six million of the people killed during the horrors of the Holocaust were of Jewish descent. As mass genocide continued for the duration of thirteen years, most of the Jews lost their strong faith as they witnessed death and endured the torture of the Nazi soldiers. Elie Wiesel was one of these Jewish men. Night, Wiesel’s memoir, depicts the dehumanization Elie experienced, causing him to question God’s forgiveness and power. The novel begins by describing Wiesel as a devoted and faithful young man. However, the events in his life, as recorded in the book, weaken his beliefs severely, and he becomes lost in his faith. Elie introduces himself as a dedicated Jewish boy. He begins telling his longing to

This quote reveals that even when faced with adversity, Elie continues to thank God. Though in this part of the novel he is suffering and undergoing torture, he still keeps his faith and perseveres. Towards the end of the novel, Elie’s faith falters and fades away almost entirely. He begins to refuse praying and other worships, such as fasting, as an act of rebellion. “For the first time, I felt anger rising within me. Why should I sanctify His name? The Almighty, the eternal and terrible Master of the Universe, chose to be silent. What was there to thank Him for?” (Wiesel, 33). This moment is the first moment in which, as Elie states, he feels angered by his God. It is the first moment in which Elie begins to question God’s forgiveness and justice. Additionally, on page 67, Elie questions, “Blessed be God’s name? Why, but why should I bless Him? Every fiber in me rebelled. . Praised be Thy Holy Name, for having chosen us to be slaughtered on Thine altar?” This internal dialogue reveals that Elie has turned against God, even refusing prayer. It is apparent that Elie is severely questioning God’s