Language In Night By Elie Wiesel

Quotation from the Text Language Analysis

“You cannot understand. I was saved miraculously. I succeeded in coming back. Where did I get my strength? I wanted to return to Sighet to describe to you my death so that you might ready yourselves while there is still time. Life? I no longer care to live. I am alone. But I wanted to come back to warn you. Only no one is listening to me…” (7).

Moishe uses a sympathetic tone to make the people feel bad for him (pathos). He included every detail of his experience with the Germans to make the Jews pay attention to him and to warn them that the Germans are coming for them too. Moishe repeatedly uses “I” to convey that he can be trusted to give credible information (ethos).The speaker’s

My father’s view was that it was not all bleak. Or perhaps he just did not want to discourage the others, to throw salt on their wound.” (11)

Elie’s father uses his position (ethos) to convince the Jews that everything was okay and that the yellow star means nothing. He utilized an assuring tone to keep them from worrying. He uses words like “lethal” to show that as long as it's not killing you, you shouldn't worry about it. This quote tells us that the Jews ignored the little warning and signs until they couldn't escape from their

And Auschwitz is not a convalescent home. It is a concentration camp. Here, you must work… Work or crematorium- the choice is yours.” (38-39)

The officer succeeds in scaring the imprisoned Jews by giving them an ultimatum- work or die (pathos). He made sure to pause time to time, to create a feeling of dread. He uses a harsh and an unfriendly tone to terrify them. He uses words that went directly to the point.

“Comrades, you are now in the concentration camp Auschwitz...Don't lose hope…Have faith in life...Hell does not last forever...Help each other. That is the only way to survive.” (41)

Another officer appeals to the Jews’ emotion by assuring them that the hardest part is over (pathos). The Jews believe him and feel at peace because of his position(ethos). He uses a lot of hopeful words to set a positive tone. His tone made the jews feel human once again. Irony can be sensed when he mentioned: “hell does not last forever.”

“Bite your lips, little brother...Don't cry. Keep your anger, your hate, for another day, for later. The day will come but not now...Wait. Clench your teeth and wait…”