The novel, 'Night', by Elie Wiesel, is the story of a Holocaust survivor. Though there are many themes to be found in the book, they all relate back to the way Elie changes. As much as Elie changes physically throughout his journey, mentally he is changed in several ways. His identity is changed to the point where he becomes a number, he has to change his way of thinking in order to survive, he experiences a major faith shift, and the relationship he has with his father changes dramatically.
Throughout the novel, the author reinforces the belief that he, and the millions of other Jews, are no longer real people, but instead objects, no better than animals. The quote, "There remained only a shape that looked like me," (pg. 48) enforces the belief that while he exists physically, mentally he has lost the identity he once had.
Maison natale d'Elie Wiesel à Sighetu Marmaţiei,...
Jewish slave laborers in the Buchenwald concentrat...
English: Writer and political activist Elie Wiesel...This belief is repeated when Elie states, "I became A-7713. After that, I had no other name." (pg. 54). The Jews were treated in such a way that it only took a short space of time for their identity to disappear. One example of this is when Elie says, "Within a few seconds, we had ceased to be men." (pg. 48), proving how much power the German Nazis held over them. Not only did Elie suffer a loss of identity, but he also lost the innocence he once had, because of the horrors he witnessed at such a young age. Once being a 'spoiled child', Elie had to quickly adapt to the situation he was placed in.
Elie had to quickly learn how to adapt in order to survive from the moment he arrived at Auschwitz. He soon developed a natural instinct to lie as he demonstrated when questioned...
Some Suggestions.
Your paper is about a subject with much controversy and importance. The events of the Holocaust, one of the darkest times in human history, is being unraveled through the eyes a young boy. Sure, his perspectives will change. However, it is through devastation and horror do we finally appreciate what we used to have. In your essay you mention the physical and emotional changes Elie endures. However, you fail to mention the impact this has on the novel as a whole. In other words, although I see a purpose and a theme, the changes Elie faces are never linked back to that theme. For example, your thesis: "His identity is changed to the point where he becomes a number, he has to change his way of thinking in order to survive, he experiences a major faith shift, and the relationship he has with his father changes dramatically." suggests your paper will reveal his loss of humanity and innocence, faith, and family. However, I fail to see how these changes are important to the novel as a whole. Why should the reader care that one boy lost everything he had? A more theme derived thesis might be: Elie, after witnessing the brutality of war, transforms into a man, as he begins to question his faith, adapt for survival, and care for his father during their darkest hour to champion the strifes and tribulations of a power that seeks their ultimate destruction. That is a thesis which reveals theme. After strenthening your thesis, your paper will naturally flow to support WHY it is important to champion these strifes - for survival. These changes Elie goes through helps his survivability, thus making him into a man.
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