The book Night, by Elie Wiesel, is a memoir that describes the experiences of what it’s like to be in a concentration camp during World War II. The title Night represents more than just the absence of daylight; it embodies the darkness that envelops both the physical and emotional landscapes of the prisoners. As the story unfolds, the symbolic significance of night becomes increasingly evident, reflecting themes of despair, loss of faith, and the dehumanizing effects of the Holocaust. Night in Wiesel’s narrative symbolizes the prevalent darkness that stirred the world during the Holocaust. For example, Wiesel describes the arrival at Auschwitz: “Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed” (34). In this quote, night symbolizes the beginning of a dive into despair and suffering, marking the loss of innocent lives and …show more content…
Wiesel reflects on his loss when he writes, “Thou, Almighty, Master of the Universe, who chose us among all nations to be tortured day and night, to watch as our fathers, our mothers, and our brothers end up in the furnaces? 67. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. Here, night represents the erasure of faith and hope, in the face of unimaginable horror. This prayer, uttered by Elie in the depths of despair, reflects the existential crisis faced by the prisoners as they grapple with the senseless cruelty of their circumstances. Moreover, the repetition in the quote, “The last night at home, the last night in the ghetto, the last night in the cattle car, and, now, the last night in Buna,” describes how it’s only a matter of time before it’s the real “last night” for the prisoners and they all die (83). Wiesel feels that many of the atrocities that occur in the concentration camp occur at night. With the use of repetition and symbolism, night represents the loss of faith and