How Does Elie Wiesel Present Shlomo's Relationship In Night

The memoir "Night" by Elie Wiesel explores the tragic experiences of a young Jewish boy during the Holocaust and the impact of these traumatic experiences with the concentration camps; a place where "there is no such thing as father, brother, friend,"(pg 110) had on Wiesel and his relationships. The relationship with his father, Shlomo, is no exception, as the holocaust that they have endured for so long has altered their relationship.

In his portrayal of the complex relationship between himself and his father, Shlomo, Wiesel depicts his father as someone who is emotionally distant with the family but highly respected within the community for his wisdom and leadership. Wiesel's statement about his father that "he rarely displayed feelings,

In a tragic moment, Weisel witnessed his father get beaten by the Kapo, and he reacted, by saying, "I felt anger at that moment, it was not directed at the Kapo but at my father. Why couldn't he have avoided Idek's wrath? That was what life in a concentration camp had made of me..."(pg 54) This quote reminds readers of the reality in these brutal camps, where many betrayed loved ones to increase their own slim chances of survival. The idea of abandoning his father to increase his own chance of survival tempts Weisel’s mind as he writes, "If only I were relieved of this responsibility, I could use all my strength to fight for my own survival, to take care only of myself.”(pg 106) This quote explores the perplexing moral dilemmas faced by many prisoners, who, unlike Wiesel, acted upon their temptations, disregarded their morals, and betrayed their loved ones in the act of survival. A fellow prisoner tells Wiesel the harsh reality that he is "... in a concentration camp. In this place, it is every man for himself, and you cannot think of others. Not even your father." (pg 110) These words stick with Wiesel as, for a moment, he entertains the idea of prioritising his own survival over his father’s, even thinking to himself that it’s "too late to save your old father. You could have two rations of bread, two rations of soup."(pg 111) This explores the brutal price of survival, which can come at the expense of another’s life, yet there's still a sense of camaraderie as prisoners encourage others to focus on their own survival, however, this survival instinct often leads to disregarding the