a. How does Elie Wiesel reveal character in Night?
Throughout Night characters are revealed directly. Elie’s observations, descriptions, and narrations show us character development. Methods utilized frequently are interactions between people, family bonds, descent into death, desperation for survival, indifference to the well-being of others, as well as generosity and selflessness to their fellow man.
b. What are some themes in the novel? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
Arguably the most important theme of Night is the importance of family. Stripped of their homes, possessions, freedom, and dignity, all that was left was each other. Elie and his father valued staying together over all, providing morale support for each other, and driving them to carry on.
…show more content…
We see generosity with the sharing of rations, but also lies for the purpose of boosting morale and instilling hope, and the gradual numbness, violence and savagery when fighting for survival.
c. What are some symbols in Night? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
The symbol of night itself is seen frequently in the novel. Night symbolizes all things dark, the suffering endured, and death. Elie is quoted saying, “The days were like nights, and the nights left the dregs of their darkness in our souls." Bad things happened during the night: Mrs. Schächter’s nightmares, Elie seeing the smoke on his first night in the camp, the night the soup tasted like corpses, the death march, and the death of Elie’s father.
One of the most powerful uses of symbolism was with the hanging of the child. With that young boy died the last bit of faith and innocence left in Elie. This moment is described in this excerpt from the text in the aftermath of this event, “Where is God now?” And I heard a voice within me answer him: “Where is He? Here He is—He is hanging here on this gallows. . .