Night Flashcards
At the beginning of the book, what does Elie’s life look like?
He is a deeply religious Jewish boy living in the town of Sighet
He has a loving family, including his parents and three sisters
deeply involved in his faith, studying the Talmud with his father and practicing Jewish traditions
What is Elie’s major focus in life?
His religious faith and his studies
Committed to his Jewish faith and traditions, studying the Talmud and seeking to understand the teachings of Jewish mysticism
What do they believe of the Nazis?
Sense of disbelief and incredulity among the townspeople regarding the rumors of Nazi atrocities
Difficult to accept the reports of mass killings, persecution, and the systematic oppression of Jews
Distant and unimaginable, unable to comprehend the extent of the danger posed by the Nazis
What was the journey to the concentration camp like?
Forced into cattle cars, which are cramped and overcrowded
Deprived of food, water, and necessities for the duration of the journey
Many people die during the journey due to the brutal conditions, lack of food and water, and the sheer brutality of the transportation process
What was the first night at the concentration camp like?
Immediately subjected to the dehumanizing and brutal conditions of the camp
They are stripped of their belongings, their hair is shaved off, and they are assigned prison uniforms
What is Yom Kippur?
It falls on the tenth day of the Jewish month of Tishrei, usually in September or October
25-hour period of fasting, prayer, and repentance, during which Jews seek forgiveness for their sins and reconcile with God
What is supposed to happen during Yom Kippur?
Fasting, prayer, repentance, and reflection for Jewish people
Renewal as they seek to strengthen their relationship with God and with others.
Why does Elie not want to participate in Yom Kippur?
Profound suffering and loss he experiences during his time in the concentration camps.
Elie witnessed unimaginable horrors and underwent intense physical and emotional suffering, including the loss of his family members and the degradation of his faith in God and humanity
What is Kaddish?
Kaddish is a Jewish prayer recited in mourning and during certain religious services
Its primary purpose is to sanctify God’s name and to express a yearning for the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth
What does Kaddish represent for them?
Kaddish represents not only a connection to their faith and heritage but also a desperate attempt to retain a sense of humanity and dignity in the face of unimaginable suffering and loss
What are some of the only human words Elie hears in his time?
“Don’t Lose Your Faith in and Hope for a Better Future!” Issuing from a person’s inner life, his or her choices in responding to life’s adversities
Who is Akiba Drummer?
A Jewish mystic and a prisoner at Auschwitz and Buna
A deep, soulful voice who inspires the other inmates in the concentration camps with his traditional Hasidic songs
What does Akiba Drummer represent for Elie and his story?
Eliezer fails to find the same solace that Drummer feels by practicing his faith
At this point in the novel, Drumer’s character represents how religious beliefs can serve as an inspiration in the face of unspeakable tragedy
What eventually happens to Elie’s father?
His death occurs amid the extreme conditions and brutality of the camps, which take a severe toll on Elie’s health and well-being
How does Elie’s father’s death affect him?
It represents a loss of innocence, a rupture of familial bonds, and a confrontation with the existential questions raised by the horrors of war and genocide
