Comprehension Questions
Preface to the New Translation:
1.) Read the preface by Elie Wiesel. Why do you suppose Wiesel imposed a ten-tear vow of silence?
Wiesel imposed a ten-tear vow of silence because he was still in shock and he was still processing everything that happened to him. He also probably did it in memory of all the people who died.
2.) Why did he have trouble finding a publisher?
He had trouble finding a publisher because the topic was too morbid and the topic was too sensitive and was not interesting.
3.) What is the "devastation that will never end"?
The "devastation that will never end" are the memories, experiences, reflections, and similar books.
4.) What is Wiesel saying about how we can make sure that something this horrible is never repeated?
Wiesel is saying this to inform people and to never forget and so that people are educated.
Foreward:
5.) Read the Foreword by Francois Mauriac. Why is Mauriac so moved by Wiesel’s book – of all the Holocaust literature he had seen?
Mauriac is so moved by Wiesel's book because it is a personal record and it comes from the perspective of a child, so he thinks it's more genuine, and it is a more authentic representation of his memory.
6.) How do you explain the “inconceivable passivity” with which the Jews of Sighet yield themselves to the Nazis?
7.) What aspects of Wiesel’s experience does Mauriac find most disturbing?
The aspects of Wiesel's experience that Mauriac finds most disturbing is that he witnessed his sister and mother being burned to death, children being hung, and people being transported to concentration camps in cattle cars.
Night:
8.) When and where does Elie Wiesel grow up? (city, country and time period) How old is he?
Elie Wiesel grew up in a town in Transylvania called Sighet, and in the year 1941, he was twelve years old.
9.) Try to picture Elie’s childhood. How is his childhood like yours and how is it different?
Elie's childhood is like mine because
10.) Who is “Moishe the Beadle” and why does Wiesel begin the story with him?
Moishe the Beadle is a poor foreigner and is also Elie's religion mentor.
11.) What do Eliezer’s parents and the others in the community think of Moishe?
Eliezer's parents as well as others of the community think that Moishe is crazy and delusional.
12.) Why does Elie spend so much time with Moishe?
Elie spends a lot of time with Moishe because he is Elie's religion mentor.
13.) What is Elie’s father’s profession?
Elie's father is a storeowner.
14.) Is Elie’s father highly respected in the Jewish community?
Elie's father is well liked and well respected by the Jewish community.
15.) What has happened to Moishe that caused a great change in him?
The police have forced him out of town and tried to kill him which makes a great change in him.
16.) How does this experience change Moishe?
This experience changes Moishe because he has lost faith and starts to lose his faith and belief in God.
17.) How does the rest of the community react when he tells them what has happened to him?
The rest of the community just thinks he's delusional and that he doesn't know what he's talking about.
18.) The Jews of Sighet are optimistic because of the news they hear on the radio in late 1942 and 1943. What is the news and why are they so optimistic?
The news is about the daily bombings and the Jews of Sighet think that people are coming to help and think that the war won't occur.
21.) Why do “the optimists rejoice” even three days after the German soldiers appear in Sighet?
The optimists rejoice because they are being polite.
22.) Why is celebrating Passover like playing a “comedy”?
Celebrating Passover is like playing a "comedy" because German leaders are getting arrested.
24.) Name the decrees (laws) the Germans put into place.
The decrees or laws that the Germans put into place were that the Jews were prohibited from leaving their residences for the first three days, they had to give any valuables over, and all Jews had to wear yellow stars on their clothing.
25.) Describe the ghettos.
There were two ghettos and they were surrounded by barbed wire.
26.) How do the Jews of Sighet generally feel about the ghettos?
The Jews of Sighet think it's a good thing because they are living amongst fellow Jews who they call brothers and feel excluded from the hostile environment which is beyond their community.
27.) Why do the Jews of Sighet think they are being deported and why is their destination kept secret from them?
The Jews of Sighet think they are being deported because they are too close to the front and their destination is kept a secret from them because they think they're being protected and think they're being taken to safe place.
28.) How could the Jews of Sighet have possibly escaped from the Germans?
The Jews of Sighet could have possibly escaped if the Hungarian officer would have helped them escape.
29.) How do they prepare for deportation?
They prepare for deportation by packing and they could only bring one backpack per person and they brought no personal belongings.
30.) Why is there “joy” when the signal finally comes for them to leave?
There is joy wjen the signal finally comes for them to leave because anything is better than just standing there in the sun not knowing what will happen next.
32.) Who offers Elie and his family safe refuge?
Maria, the maid offers Elie and his family safe refuge.
33.) Why doesn’t Elie’s father accept the offer?
Elie's father does not accept this offer because he does not want to be separated from his family and he does not want to be selfish and save himself because the rest of the community relies on him and respects him.
34.) On what day of the week is the family expelled and why is this ironic?
The family is expelled on a saturday and this is ironic because it's a day of rest and they are forced against their will to leave and be put in different community.
35.) They spend 24 hours in a synagogue. What are the conditions like? Give examples.
The conditions in the synagogue are messy and men and women separated. The women have to stat upstairs and the men downstairs and there is no restroom so people have to go in the corner. It is also very damaged because the German soldiers destroyed the synagogue.
36.) How are the Jews moved out of Sighet?
The Jews are transported out of Sighet by cattle cars.
37.) Why do you suppose no one tries to escape?
No one tries to escape because if you do, you get shot.
38.) Why does the Hungarian lieutenant move among the prisoners with a basket?
The Hungarian lieutenant brings around a basket around the prisoners because they have to give up their valuables.
39.) What actions do “those who no longer wished to taste the bitterness of terror” take?
The woman screaming is scaring those who are around her so they try to calm her down and protect her.
40.) Who is Madame Schachter and why is she so upset?
Madame Schachter is a Jewish woman and she is upset because she was separated from her husband and two sons.
41.) How do the others treat her and why?
Others tie her up and gag her so she can't talk because she is scaring everyone.
42.) What is the first thing the prisoners see when they got to Birkenau?
The first thing the prisoners see when they get to Birkenau is fire.
43.) What do they smell?
They smell fire and burning flesh.
44.) Who are the SS men?
The SS men are soldiers of the German army at an internment camp.
45.) How do Elie and his father get separated from Mother and Tzipora?
Elie and his father get separated from Mother and Tzipora because the SS men separate men and women at the entrance.
46.) What is Elie’s last memory of them?
Elie's last memory of his mother and Tzipora is his mom comforting Tzipora and stroking her hair.
47.) Why do some of the younger men want to attempt an escape?
Some of the younger men want to attempt an escape because they don't want to be burned and they don't think they should be treated like this and that they should not die like this.
48.) Why don’t they go through with it?
They don't go through with it because elders convince them not to and to be optimistic.
49.) What lies do Elie and his father tell to Dr. Mengale and why?
Elie and his father lie about their age and occupation. Elie says that he is 18 and works as a farmer and his father said he was 40 years old.
50.) Why does Elie’s father wish Elie has gone with his mother and why is this ironic?
Elie's father wishes Elie would have gone with his mother because he would be safe with his mom and his father does not want to watch Elie die.
52.) What is the Kaddish and why doesn’t’ Elie join his father in reciting it?
The Kaddish is a specific prayer for the dead that us said in mourning or respect for the dead. Elie does not join in because he believes that if he does, he is sealing his faith and believes that they are going to die.
53.) How do the prisoners who are already in the barracks treat the newcomers?
The prisoners who are already in the barracks are mean to the newcomers, give them orders, and hit them.
54.) What are Elie and the others ordered to do?
Elie and the others are ordered to take off their clothes and hold their belts and shoes and have their whole entire bodies shaved.
55.) How does Elie change by the end of the first night? (physically, emotionally, and spiritually)
Elie changes by the end of the first night because there are so many tormented souls surrounding him that makes him just give up hope and give up his faith in God and he wonders why God is letting this happen.
56.) How does Elie keep his shoes from the “Kapos” at first?
Elie keeps his shoes from the Kapos by hiding them in the mud.
57.) According to the SS officer, what is the only way to avoid the furnaces?
The only way to avoid the furnaces is by working.
58.) Why does the gypsy strike Elie’s father and how does Elie react?
The gypsy strikes Elie's father because he asked where the bathroom was and Elie just stands there and doesn't do anything because he doesn't want to die and he is scared.
59.) To what new camp are the prisoners taken?
The prisoners are taken to Auschwitz from Birkenau.
60.) Who is in charge of the block and what is his advice?
A young Polish man is in charge of the block and his advice is to not lose hope, don't lose faith, and to help each other.
61.) How does Elie become “A-7713”?
Elie becomes "A-7713" by getting the number tattooed on his arm.
62.) Describe “roll call”.
An orchestra comes to play music during roll call and the tens of thousand of inmates line up and make sure no one tries to escape.
63.) Who is Stein and why does Elie lie to him?
Stein is a relative of Elie and his father and Elie lies to him to make him feel better and to give him hope that his family is still alive.
64.) Why does Stein stop coming to see Elie?
Stein stops coming to see Elie because he knows he lied and has lost hope and he is miserable, so just gives up.
65.) Akiba Drumer believes that God is testing the Jews and that this punishment they are enduring is actually a sign of love. What does Elie think of this theory?
Elie does not believe this because he thinks about why God test them in such an awful way.
66.) How could Elie have bribed the assistant to arrange for him to go with his father to a “good unit”?
Elie could have bribed the assistant to arrange for him to go to his father to a "good unit" by giving him his shoes.
67.) Why doesn’t he try the bribe?
He does not try the bribe because his shoes are the only thing he has left and he doesn't know if the guy can pull through.
68.) Where is music played in the camp?
The music plays at the entrance of camp.
69.) Why can’t the musicians play Beethoven?
The musicians can't play Beethoven because Jews are not allowed to play German music.
70.) Why is Elie sent to the dentist?
Elie is sent to the dentist to get his gold crown taken out.
71.) Why is he so desperate to keep his tooth and why doesn’t he succeed in keeping it?
Elie is desperate to keep his tooth because he can use it one day to buy food, trade, redeem, or stay alive.
72.) Who beats Elie in front of the French girl and why?
Idek beats Elie for no reason at all.
73.) Why is she afraid to speak to him?
The French girl is afraid to speak to him because she was paralyzed with fear and didn't want him to get beat up anymore.
74.) What advice does she give to Elie and what does this show about her?
She tells him to hold his anger, clench his teeth, and wait.
75.) Why does Idek beat Elie’s father?
Idek beats Elie's father because he wasn't working hard enough.
76.) Why is Elie angry at his father for getting beaten?
Elie is angry at his father because he is not trying to make things better and he brought the trouble upon himself.
77.) Why does Elie give his father “marching lessons”?
Elie gives his father "marching lessons" because he doesn't know how to march in place which causes Franek to beat him for not keeping up with the marching.
78.) Why does Elie laugh at Idek and what is the result?
Elie laughs at Idek because he thinks that it is ridiculous that he sent everyone away just to hook up with girl and the result of this is Idek threatening him.
79.) What do the air raid sirens signify?
The air raid sirens signify bombing.
80.) Why is this a particularly dangerous time for prisoners?
This is a particularly dangerous time for prisoners because the bombs could kill them and they can't leave their block.
81.) How is “terror stronger than hunger”?
Terror is stronger than hunger because they have a fear of dying, a fear of being shot, or a fear of being whipped, if they take the soup, do it is not worth taking the soup.
82.) How does the death of that one man affect Elie and how does he react when the air raid is over?
The death of the man does not affect Elie because it is an everyday thing for someone to die and so he is used to it.
83.) Who are some of the people who die on the gallows?
Some of the people who die on the gallows are a boy because he stole an air raid and a young boy because he stole weapons.
84.) What phrase so many repeat before their deaths?
The phrase that everyone repeats before their death is "Long live liberty".
85.) Why are people hanged rather than being shot or killed some other way?
People are hung because it is more painful and gruesome and people can actually experience their death because they are suffering.
86.) Whose death affects Elie the most and why?
The death that affects Elie the most is the little boy because he's a child and makes Elie doubt God.
87.) Why does Elie find the soup “excellent” after one execution, but tasting of “corpses” after another?
Elie finds the soupd excellent after one execution because it is usual for people to die and he is glad it wasn't him and that he is still alive. After the next execution, the soups tastes of corpses because he is remembering the death of young boy and was realizing he could be next.
88.) What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year.
89.) Why do you suppose even “Kapos, functionaries of death” come to the Rosh Hashanah service?
The Kapos come to the Rosh Hashanah service to supervise the Jews and to participate and be faithful.
90.) What is going through Elie’s mind?
Elie feels like he is no one, just a body walking around.
92.) What does Elie mean when he says of his father, “We had never understood each other so clearly”?
By this, Elie means that they love each other and they don't need to say it because they are just thankful to have each other.
93.) What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is the day when Jews fast.
94.) Why doesn’t Elie fast?
Elie does not fast because he is protesting against God and is already starving, so he does not think it is worth fasting. “As I swallowed my ration of soup, I turned that act into a symbol of rebellion, of protest against Him." (pg. 53)
95.) What is the “fine New Year’s gift” the SS gives the prisoners?
The New Year's gift that the SS gives the prisoners selection.
96.) What advice does Elie get from the head of the block about avoiding selection?
The advice that Elie gets is to run as fast as he can and to warm up before selection.
98.) What is Dr. Mengele’s attitude during the “selection”?
Dr. Mengele acts like it's a game; he plays tricks and writes down their numbers to mess with them.
99.) What are Elie’s thoughts as he goes through the “race”?
Elie’s head keeps spinning and he keeps running.
100.) What sorts of “presents” and “inheritance” gifts does Wiesel’s father give Elie and why?
Elie’s father gives him a piece of rubber to fix shoes and half a ration of bread to eat. He also gives him a knife and a spoon.
101.) Why does Elie return them to his father?
Elie returns them to his father to prove that he can survive without them and he’s showing him that he is not going to take those kinds of things knowing that he's strong and can live without it.
103.) What happens to many of the prisoners when they lose faith?
When the prisoners lose faith, they lose hope and lose the incentive to fight.
104.) Why does Wiesel tell the story of Akiba Drumer – and how everyone forgets to say the Kaddish for him?
Wiesel tells the story of Akiba the Drumer because it is an example of what happens when you lose your faith and it is so easy to forget about people.
105.) How does Wiesel end up in the hospital?
Elie ends up in the hospital because his foot is swelling.
106.) What decision is Wiesel faced with while he is in the hospital?
Elie thinks about if he should leave or wait in the hospital.
107.) What is Elie’s choice and why does he choose this option?
Elie chooses to wait and stay in the hospital.
108.) Why is the camp being evacuated?
The camp is being evacuated because the Red army is coming towards them and war is quickly approaching.
109.) Why do the prisoners want the Russians to arrive first?
The prisoners want the Russians ti arrive first because they want them to rescue them because if they don't come first, they are going to be forced to fight.
110.) What is meant by the question the prisoners ask: “were they (SS) going to let the Jews hear the twelfth stroke sound?”
The prisoners wanted to see if they were going to kill them or not.
111.) How does the “face of the camp” change on the morning of the evacuation?
The face of the camp changes in the morning because people change their clothing, they get more clothing, food, and they find what they can take because they are doing it for survival.
112.) Why does the head of the block order the prisoners to clean the floor, and how do you think the prisoners feel about this task?
The head of the block orders the prisoners to clean the floor because they are men not pigs.
113.) Reread the description of the evacuation at the end of the chapter. Why does the author choose to use a series of short sentences in this passage? What is the effect?
The author chooses to use a series of short sentences because the events are happening fast and the readers can relate to what the characters are going through because it gives them a sense of urgency.
114.) What does Wiesel mean by the observations of the SS men “Their fingers on the triggers, they did not deprive themselves of this pleasure”?
By this, Elie means that they will shoot anyone who stops or slows down because they have the power to do that because they are in charge.
115.) What is sadism and where do you see evidence of it in the novel?
Sadism means to be sadistic and to find pleasure in harming others. Some evidence in book that shows sadism is when Idek beats up Elie’s father and other random people.
116.) What happens to Zalman?
Zalman starts to have stomach pains so he stops and gets trampled over by the crowd.
117.) In what way are Wiesel and the other Jews who keep rushing onward “masters of nature” -then in the morning “without strength, without illusions”?
Elie and the other Jews are “masters of nature” because nothing phases them anymore. They have gone through so much and so much abuse, so they have mastered abuse, mastered starvation, and they are stronger now. In the morning, they are “without strength, without illusions because they are exhausted because they have been running all day.
1.) Read the preface by Elie Wiesel. Why do you suppose Wiesel imposed a ten-tear vow of silence?
Wiesel imposed a ten-tear vow of silence because he was still in shock and he was still processing everything that happened to him. He also probably did it in memory of all the people who died.
2.) Why did he have trouble finding a publisher?
He had trouble finding a publisher because the topic was too morbid and the topic was too sensitive and was not interesting.
3.) What is the "devastation that will never end"?
The "devastation that will never end" are the memories, experiences, reflections, and similar books.
4.) What is Wiesel saying about how we can make sure that something this horrible is never repeated?
Wiesel is saying this to inform people and to never forget and so that people are educated.
Foreward:
5.) Read the Foreword by Francois Mauriac. Why is Mauriac so moved by Wiesel’s book – of all the Holocaust literature he had seen?
Mauriac is so moved by Wiesel's book because it is a personal record and it comes from the perspective of a child, so he thinks it's more genuine, and it is a more authentic representation of his memory.
6.) How do you explain the “inconceivable passivity” with which the Jews of Sighet yield themselves to the Nazis?
7.) What aspects of Wiesel’s experience does Mauriac find most disturbing?
The aspects of Wiesel's experience that Mauriac finds most disturbing is that he witnessed his sister and mother being burned to death, children being hung, and people being transported to concentration camps in cattle cars.
Night:
8.) When and where does Elie Wiesel grow up? (city, country and time period) How old is he?
Elie Wiesel grew up in a town in Transylvania called Sighet, and in the year 1941, he was twelve years old.
9.) Try to picture Elie’s childhood. How is his childhood like yours and how is it different?
Elie's childhood is like mine because
10.) Who is “Moishe the Beadle” and why does Wiesel begin the story with him?
Moishe the Beadle is a poor foreigner and is also Elie's religion mentor.
11.) What do Eliezer’s parents and the others in the community think of Moishe?
Eliezer's parents as well as others of the community think that Moishe is crazy and delusional.
12.) Why does Elie spend so much time with Moishe?
Elie spends a lot of time with Moishe because he is Elie's religion mentor.
13.) What is Elie’s father’s profession?
Elie's father is a storeowner.
14.) Is Elie’s father highly respected in the Jewish community?
Elie's father is well liked and well respected by the Jewish community.
15.) What has happened to Moishe that caused a great change in him?
The police have forced him out of town and tried to kill him which makes a great change in him.
16.) How does this experience change Moishe?
This experience changes Moishe because he has lost faith and starts to lose his faith and belief in God.
17.) How does the rest of the community react when he tells them what has happened to him?
The rest of the community just thinks he's delusional and that he doesn't know what he's talking about.
18.) The Jews of Sighet are optimistic because of the news they hear on the radio in late 1942 and 1943. What is the news and why are they so optimistic?
The news is about the daily bombings and the Jews of Sighet think that people are coming to help and think that the war won't occur.
21.) Why do “the optimists rejoice” even three days after the German soldiers appear in Sighet?
The optimists rejoice because they are being polite.
22.) Why is celebrating Passover like playing a “comedy”?
Celebrating Passover is like playing a "comedy" because German leaders are getting arrested.
24.) Name the decrees (laws) the Germans put into place.
The decrees or laws that the Germans put into place were that the Jews were prohibited from leaving their residences for the first three days, they had to give any valuables over, and all Jews had to wear yellow stars on their clothing.
25.) Describe the ghettos.
There were two ghettos and they were surrounded by barbed wire.
26.) How do the Jews of Sighet generally feel about the ghettos?
The Jews of Sighet think it's a good thing because they are living amongst fellow Jews who they call brothers and feel excluded from the hostile environment which is beyond their community.
27.) Why do the Jews of Sighet think they are being deported and why is their destination kept secret from them?
The Jews of Sighet think they are being deported because they are too close to the front and their destination is kept a secret from them because they think they're being protected and think they're being taken to safe place.
28.) How could the Jews of Sighet have possibly escaped from the Germans?
The Jews of Sighet could have possibly escaped if the Hungarian officer would have helped them escape.
29.) How do they prepare for deportation?
They prepare for deportation by packing and they could only bring one backpack per person and they brought no personal belongings.
30.) Why is there “joy” when the signal finally comes for them to leave?
There is joy wjen the signal finally comes for them to leave because anything is better than just standing there in the sun not knowing what will happen next.
32.) Who offers Elie and his family safe refuge?
Maria, the maid offers Elie and his family safe refuge.
33.) Why doesn’t Elie’s father accept the offer?
Elie's father does not accept this offer because he does not want to be separated from his family and he does not want to be selfish and save himself because the rest of the community relies on him and respects him.
34.) On what day of the week is the family expelled and why is this ironic?
The family is expelled on a saturday and this is ironic because it's a day of rest and they are forced against their will to leave and be put in different community.
35.) They spend 24 hours in a synagogue. What are the conditions like? Give examples.
The conditions in the synagogue are messy and men and women separated. The women have to stat upstairs and the men downstairs and there is no restroom so people have to go in the corner. It is also very damaged because the German soldiers destroyed the synagogue.
36.) How are the Jews moved out of Sighet?
The Jews are transported out of Sighet by cattle cars.
37.) Why do you suppose no one tries to escape?
No one tries to escape because if you do, you get shot.
38.) Why does the Hungarian lieutenant move among the prisoners with a basket?
The Hungarian lieutenant brings around a basket around the prisoners because they have to give up their valuables.
39.) What actions do “those who no longer wished to taste the bitterness of terror” take?
The woman screaming is scaring those who are around her so they try to calm her down and protect her.
40.) Who is Madame Schachter and why is she so upset?
Madame Schachter is a Jewish woman and she is upset because she was separated from her husband and two sons.
41.) How do the others treat her and why?
Others tie her up and gag her so she can't talk because she is scaring everyone.
42.) What is the first thing the prisoners see when they got to Birkenau?
The first thing the prisoners see when they get to Birkenau is fire.
43.) What do they smell?
They smell fire and burning flesh.
44.) Who are the SS men?
The SS men are soldiers of the German army at an internment camp.
45.) How do Elie and his father get separated from Mother and Tzipora?
Elie and his father get separated from Mother and Tzipora because the SS men separate men and women at the entrance.
46.) What is Elie’s last memory of them?
Elie's last memory of his mother and Tzipora is his mom comforting Tzipora and stroking her hair.
47.) Why do some of the younger men want to attempt an escape?
Some of the younger men want to attempt an escape because they don't want to be burned and they don't think they should be treated like this and that they should not die like this.
48.) Why don’t they go through with it?
They don't go through with it because elders convince them not to and to be optimistic.
49.) What lies do Elie and his father tell to Dr. Mengale and why?
Elie and his father lie about their age and occupation. Elie says that he is 18 and works as a farmer and his father said he was 40 years old.
50.) Why does Elie’s father wish Elie has gone with his mother and why is this ironic?
Elie's father wishes Elie would have gone with his mother because he would be safe with his mom and his father does not want to watch Elie die.
52.) What is the Kaddish and why doesn’t’ Elie join his father in reciting it?
The Kaddish is a specific prayer for the dead that us said in mourning or respect for the dead. Elie does not join in because he believes that if he does, he is sealing his faith and believes that they are going to die.
53.) How do the prisoners who are already in the barracks treat the newcomers?
The prisoners who are already in the barracks are mean to the newcomers, give them orders, and hit them.
54.) What are Elie and the others ordered to do?
Elie and the others are ordered to take off their clothes and hold their belts and shoes and have their whole entire bodies shaved.
55.) How does Elie change by the end of the first night? (physically, emotionally, and spiritually)
Elie changes by the end of the first night because there are so many tormented souls surrounding him that makes him just give up hope and give up his faith in God and he wonders why God is letting this happen.
56.) How does Elie keep his shoes from the “Kapos” at first?
Elie keeps his shoes from the Kapos by hiding them in the mud.
57.) According to the SS officer, what is the only way to avoid the furnaces?
The only way to avoid the furnaces is by working.
58.) Why does the gypsy strike Elie’s father and how does Elie react?
The gypsy strikes Elie's father because he asked where the bathroom was and Elie just stands there and doesn't do anything because he doesn't want to die and he is scared.
59.) To what new camp are the prisoners taken?
The prisoners are taken to Auschwitz from Birkenau.
60.) Who is in charge of the block and what is his advice?
A young Polish man is in charge of the block and his advice is to not lose hope, don't lose faith, and to help each other.
61.) How does Elie become “A-7713”?
Elie becomes "A-7713" by getting the number tattooed on his arm.
62.) Describe “roll call”.
An orchestra comes to play music during roll call and the tens of thousand of inmates line up and make sure no one tries to escape.
63.) Who is Stein and why does Elie lie to him?
Stein is a relative of Elie and his father and Elie lies to him to make him feel better and to give him hope that his family is still alive.
64.) Why does Stein stop coming to see Elie?
Stein stops coming to see Elie because he knows he lied and has lost hope and he is miserable, so just gives up.
65.) Akiba Drumer believes that God is testing the Jews and that this punishment they are enduring is actually a sign of love. What does Elie think of this theory?
Elie does not believe this because he thinks about why God test them in such an awful way.
66.) How could Elie have bribed the assistant to arrange for him to go with his father to a “good unit”?
Elie could have bribed the assistant to arrange for him to go to his father to a "good unit" by giving him his shoes.
67.) Why doesn’t he try the bribe?
He does not try the bribe because his shoes are the only thing he has left and he doesn't know if the guy can pull through.
68.) Where is music played in the camp?
The music plays at the entrance of camp.
69.) Why can’t the musicians play Beethoven?
The musicians can't play Beethoven because Jews are not allowed to play German music.
70.) Why is Elie sent to the dentist?
Elie is sent to the dentist to get his gold crown taken out.
71.) Why is he so desperate to keep his tooth and why doesn’t he succeed in keeping it?
Elie is desperate to keep his tooth because he can use it one day to buy food, trade, redeem, or stay alive.
72.) Who beats Elie in front of the French girl and why?
Idek beats Elie for no reason at all.
73.) Why is she afraid to speak to him?
The French girl is afraid to speak to him because she was paralyzed with fear and didn't want him to get beat up anymore.
74.) What advice does she give to Elie and what does this show about her?
She tells him to hold his anger, clench his teeth, and wait.
75.) Why does Idek beat Elie’s father?
Idek beats Elie's father because he wasn't working hard enough.
76.) Why is Elie angry at his father for getting beaten?
Elie is angry at his father because he is not trying to make things better and he brought the trouble upon himself.
77.) Why does Elie give his father “marching lessons”?
Elie gives his father "marching lessons" because he doesn't know how to march in place which causes Franek to beat him for not keeping up with the marching.
78.) Why does Elie laugh at Idek and what is the result?
Elie laughs at Idek because he thinks that it is ridiculous that he sent everyone away just to hook up with girl and the result of this is Idek threatening him.
79.) What do the air raid sirens signify?
The air raid sirens signify bombing.
80.) Why is this a particularly dangerous time for prisoners?
This is a particularly dangerous time for prisoners because the bombs could kill them and they can't leave their block.
81.) How is “terror stronger than hunger”?
Terror is stronger than hunger because they have a fear of dying, a fear of being shot, or a fear of being whipped, if they take the soup, do it is not worth taking the soup.
82.) How does the death of that one man affect Elie and how does he react when the air raid is over?
The death of the man does not affect Elie because it is an everyday thing for someone to die and so he is used to it.
83.) Who are some of the people who die on the gallows?
Some of the people who die on the gallows are a boy because he stole an air raid and a young boy because he stole weapons.
84.) What phrase so many repeat before their deaths?
The phrase that everyone repeats before their death is "Long live liberty".
85.) Why are people hanged rather than being shot or killed some other way?
People are hung because it is more painful and gruesome and people can actually experience their death because they are suffering.
86.) Whose death affects Elie the most and why?
The death that affects Elie the most is the little boy because he's a child and makes Elie doubt God.
87.) Why does Elie find the soup “excellent” after one execution, but tasting of “corpses” after another?
Elie finds the soupd excellent after one execution because it is usual for people to die and he is glad it wasn't him and that he is still alive. After the next execution, the soups tastes of corpses because he is remembering the death of young boy and was realizing he could be next.
88.) What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year.
89.) Why do you suppose even “Kapos, functionaries of death” come to the Rosh Hashanah service?
The Kapos come to the Rosh Hashanah service to supervise the Jews and to participate and be faithful.
90.) What is going through Elie’s mind?
Elie feels like he is no one, just a body walking around.
92.) What does Elie mean when he says of his father, “We had never understood each other so clearly”?
By this, Elie means that they love each other and they don't need to say it because they are just thankful to have each other.
93.) What is Yom Kippur?
Yom Kippur is the day when Jews fast.
94.) Why doesn’t Elie fast?
Elie does not fast because he is protesting against God and is already starving, so he does not think it is worth fasting. “As I swallowed my ration of soup, I turned that act into a symbol of rebellion, of protest against Him." (pg. 53)
95.) What is the “fine New Year’s gift” the SS gives the prisoners?
The New Year's gift that the SS gives the prisoners selection.
96.) What advice does Elie get from the head of the block about avoiding selection?
The advice that Elie gets is to run as fast as he can and to warm up before selection.
98.) What is Dr. Mengele’s attitude during the “selection”?
Dr. Mengele acts like it's a game; he plays tricks and writes down their numbers to mess with them.
99.) What are Elie’s thoughts as he goes through the “race”?
Elie’s head keeps spinning and he keeps running.
100.) What sorts of “presents” and “inheritance” gifts does Wiesel’s father give Elie and why?
Elie’s father gives him a piece of rubber to fix shoes and half a ration of bread to eat. He also gives him a knife and a spoon.
101.) Why does Elie return them to his father?
Elie returns them to his father to prove that he can survive without them and he’s showing him that he is not going to take those kinds of things knowing that he's strong and can live without it.
103.) What happens to many of the prisoners when they lose faith?
When the prisoners lose faith, they lose hope and lose the incentive to fight.
104.) Why does Wiesel tell the story of Akiba Drumer – and how everyone forgets to say the Kaddish for him?
Wiesel tells the story of Akiba the Drumer because it is an example of what happens when you lose your faith and it is so easy to forget about people.
105.) How does Wiesel end up in the hospital?
Elie ends up in the hospital because his foot is swelling.
106.) What decision is Wiesel faced with while he is in the hospital?
Elie thinks about if he should leave or wait in the hospital.
107.) What is Elie’s choice and why does he choose this option?
Elie chooses to wait and stay in the hospital.
108.) Why is the camp being evacuated?
The camp is being evacuated because the Red army is coming towards them and war is quickly approaching.
109.) Why do the prisoners want the Russians to arrive first?
The prisoners want the Russians ti arrive first because they want them to rescue them because if they don't come first, they are going to be forced to fight.
110.) What is meant by the question the prisoners ask: “were they (SS) going to let the Jews hear the twelfth stroke sound?”
The prisoners wanted to see if they were going to kill them or not.
111.) How does the “face of the camp” change on the morning of the evacuation?
The face of the camp changes in the morning because people change their clothing, they get more clothing, food, and they find what they can take because they are doing it for survival.
112.) Why does the head of the block order the prisoners to clean the floor, and how do you think the prisoners feel about this task?
The head of the block orders the prisoners to clean the floor because they are men not pigs.
113.) Reread the description of the evacuation at the end of the chapter. Why does the author choose to use a series of short sentences in this passage? What is the effect?
The author chooses to use a series of short sentences because the events are happening fast and the readers can relate to what the characters are going through because it gives them a sense of urgency.
114.) What does Wiesel mean by the observations of the SS men “Their fingers on the triggers, they did not deprive themselves of this pleasure”?
By this, Elie means that they will shoot anyone who stops or slows down because they have the power to do that because they are in charge.
115.) What is sadism and where do you see evidence of it in the novel?
Sadism means to be sadistic and to find pleasure in harming others. Some evidence in book that shows sadism is when Idek beats up Elie’s father and other random people.
116.) What happens to Zalman?
Zalman starts to have stomach pains so he stops and gets trampled over by the crowd.
117.) In what way are Wiesel and the other Jews who keep rushing onward “masters of nature” -then in the morning “without strength, without illusions”?
Elie and the other Jews are “masters of nature” because nothing phases them anymore. They have gone through so much and so much abuse, so they have mastered abuse, mastered starvation, and they are stronger now. In the morning, they are “without strength, without illusions because they are exhausted because they have been running all day.