FROM THE BOOK : Night
The holocaust was a horrible period of punishment and toture for many who were discriminated against, especially the jews. One of these jews was Elie Wiesel. He wrote the novel “Night”, an autobiography based on his life in the ghettos and extermination camps during the holocaust. All throughout the book he displayed many traits. Elie had strong determination, loyalty, and was very religious. He is important because he was able to live and tell about the holocaust.
As I mentioned before, Elie had very strong determination. He tried his best to stay alive for his father when he wanted to give up. For example, he mentioned, “I repeated to myself: ‘ Don’t think. Don’t stop. Run.’ “(92) He tried to encourage himself not to give up. There was also a time when he had an injury and had to run.”Because of my painful foot, a shudder went through each step.’A few more yards,and that will be the end’.”(92) If he stopped, he would’ve just died. So he had to continue, even with the throbbing pain. During the holocaust it was really difficult to have this deterimination, and if he didn’t have it he wouldn’t have been able to live and tell the story we hear today. Elie was determined to stay alive for his father,so he could be faithful to him.
Elie Wiesel also had loyalty to his father, he would always try to encourage his father and himself to stay alive for each other. There was a time when his friend left his father behind because he was being a burden to him. So Elie prayed to the God he no longer believed in: “My God, Lord of the universe, give me strength never to do what Rabbi Eliahou’s son has done.”(97)He felt that if he died or left his father, his father would die.” I had no right to let myself die. What would he do without me? I was his only support.”(93) This was a good trait because it helped the father stay alive. And because Elie’s father lived longer, it gave Elie a reason to live.
In the beginning of the story, Elie was very religious. He was usually involved in something religious.” I continued to devote myself to my studies. By day, the Talmund, at night, the Caballa.”(18)But that soon began to change. “Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams into dust.”(43)The camps in the holocaust were so horrible that they destroyed Elie’s beliefs and dreams.
Not all people have Elie’s many traits. Elie had strong determination, loyalty, and was very religious. These traits were important because they helped him cope through his life to survive. And because he was able to survive, he was able to record and witness the holocaust. If we know more about it, we can learn ways of preventing another horrible genocide from happening. You know what they say, if you don’t learn history, it will repeat itself.
I picked the same person for my essay and I couldn’t agree more with your essay. The only part which is kind of weird is you say he is religious but you give an example how he becomes unfaithful because his God was murdered in a sense. But as an overall your essay makes clear thoughts and I understand why you picked him.
Carisza makes a good point. This “religious” part of your argument is weak but the rest is thoughtful. Edit it and resubmit it for a higher grade! Just tell me.
–Ms. M