Eliezer And His Father's Relationship

In the middle chapters, Eliezer and his father become equals. Eliezer, the physically stronger of the pair, watches his own survival, and his father tries to encourage Eliezer emotionally and physically. The bond between the two is now beginning to strengthen. Eliezer and his father have been stuck together in the camps for several weeks, and are staying strong for each other throughout most of their struggles. Eliezer’s father refuses to let the gold crown in Eliezer's teeth to be removed. His father is then tormented for thereon for his failure to learn to march in step, even though Eliezer tried to teach him. “Looking at the little officer teaching the old chap to march...Hey, general, how many rations of bread does the old boy give you for this.” When his father is unable to march in the correct time, the crown is the only way

Eliezer lost both the crown in his mouth and the battle to protect his father who told him not to give up the crown. From this Eliezer begin to feel guilty, this goes back to the topic because it shows the progression of their relationship. Eliezer feeling bad that he has given up his tooth while his father told him not to as he states he was “fine”. Eliezer dependent on his father during the time at the camp, and he follows his father every step he makes. This is shown when he volunteers to teach his father how to march just to keep him by his side. Eliezer recalls a moment in the camp when they had to separate with his father, “His hand tightened its grip on his father.” All he could think of was not to lose him. “Not to remain alone”. His actions and thoughts clearly reflect that he relies on his father to guide him through the camp. One Sunday afternoon the air-raid sirens go off. Everyone is confined inside their blocks, and guards are ordered to shoot any prisoners who are