What Is The Theme Of Night By Elie Wiesel

American psychiatrist, Judith Lewis Herman once stated that “Those who have survived learn that their sense of self of worth of humanity depends upon a feeling of connection with others”. This quote is explored in Elie Wiesel’s memoir Night as it retells the experiences of teenage Elie and his father as they navigate through several camps. Facing hardships like public hangings, loss of family members, brutal punishments, and a great deal of death. Their bond is put to the test as they must face decisions for the benefit of one another or for themselves. Despite these challenges, their relationships thrive growing stronger as they care for and depend on each other. They almost always find a way to stay close to each other no matter what.

Forming stronger bonds with family members helps bring one together. This idea is built upon from the beginning of the book. Early on, ELie’s father was described as “more concerned with others than his own family”(Wiesel, 14). This quote perfectly sets Eliezer’s father to have a “set personality at the beginning. So that furthering on he can develop as a character through his relationship with his only remaining son. May chapters later, after experiencing so much together he breaks. Finally showing emotion he “ was standing near the wall, bowed down. His shoulders sagging as though beneath a heavy burden” Elie walks up to him and “ took his hand and kissed it. A tear fell upon it”(Wiesel, 75). Both Elie and his father understood each other at this moment, more than they ever could before. This passage demonstrates how before Wiesel’s father was very reserved and did not say much to his family and was not particularly close with his son. Nevertheless, he and Elie finally understand each other so because of this one shared moment they can connect. From being a distant

This memoir does not fall short in themes and motifs scattered heavily throughout it. This idea especially can be found in this book often. For example, when one of Wiesel’s relatives meets up with them, he is looking for his wife and children. Elie lies to him saying that they are doing well and are safe. Later on, his relative remarks that “the only thing keeping me alive… is that REize and the children are still alive. If it wasn’t for them. I couldn't keep going”(Wiesel, 53). This piece from the text demonstrates how familial relationships can help one keep going. Even though he only heard that his family is okay, this gives him closure and hope. A purpose, one that was to hopefully see them one last time, before dying. This point is revisited when Elie is running with an injured foot. He is tired, in excruciating pain, and wants to end it all. He fantasizes about suicide; letting himself go off the edge of the cliff and be relieved of all his pain. But then he realizes that he had “no right to let [bimself] die” because he “was his [father’s] only support”(Wiesel, 93). This passage is trying to express the idea of relying on one’s family because if it were not for Wiesel’s father, Elie might have been dead. Instead, he assigns himself a reason to like; to survive for the betterment of his father. Because of this mindset of a fixed purpose, both Elie and Chlomo