Dehumanization In The Book Night By Elie Wiesal

In the memoir “Night” by Elie Wiesal, Wiesal himself is explaining his story, and personal experiences from the Holocaust of 1933-1945. This event is one of the most unbelievable times in history. Elie tells his story, in hopes that it will prevent history from repeating itself. The Jews went through not just internal hell, but had to live it everyday. They were treated like objects, animals, and nonentities. The Jews had no respect and were treated in the worst ways possible. The Jews are dehumanized throughout chapters 1,2, and 3 of “Night”. When the Jews were conveyed, they were placed on cattle cars, with 80 people in each small car, crowded beyond belief. The German soldiers gave them a small portion of food to last the long trip. If children complained or cried for food or water, they were shot. After long days and nights, they were then finally given a small portion of water. There were no restrooms, all of the Jews had to relieve themselves in a corner of the cattle car. There were no open windows, doors, or AC to give them fresh air and keep them from overheating. People of all ages were going insane, hallucinating, screaming, and nonstop crying. On page 24, the German officers stated, “If anyone goes missing, you will all be shot, like dogs.” Like dogs. That's how they were treated from there on out.

There were huge pits of fire, and small children, the old, the unhealthy and anyone who the Germans did not think would be useful to work for their benefit, were thrown in and burned alive. Men and women were separated, and most never saw each other again. A man of high authority, known as Dr. Mengele was standing before Elie along with the rest of the Jews. holding a conductor's baton. We formed a line, Mengele asked each of us a variety of questions, and would then point the baton to the left or right. This action itself determines whether you lived or