I did not know what dehumanization was until I studied the memoir Night. This memoir revealed to me that the Nazis used dehumanization tactics to obtain control over the Jews. There are three facets of dehumanization: mental, physical, and emotional. Eliezer, the teenager used to represent Wiesel in the memoir, tells about his experience in the infirmary and how it affected him. Wiesel states, “Actually, being in the infirmary was not bad at all… no more bell, no more roll call, no more work” (Wiesel 78). The bell exemplifies order and it takes a toll on Wiesel mentally.The Jews are indoctrinated to only respond to the bell. Wiesel is not only affected mentally. Jews received physical torment as well. Wiesel personally recounts the ordeal of
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Three people who undergo these tests of faith are: Wiesel, Wiesel’s father, and Akiba Drumer. Wiesel starts to question God’s authority and just nature after spending time in the concentration camps. Wiesel states, “Why, would I bless Him? Every fiber in me rebelled...He caused thousands of children to burn in His mass graves” (Wiesel 67). Wiesel believes that God is the cause of all suffering and is not worthy of praise. Hence, his loss of faith. Similarly, Wiesel’s father experiences a dip in faith. When Rosh Hashanah comes around, it is noticeable that something is changing within the camp, faith is dwindling. Wiesel expresses, “I looked up at my father’s face… but there was nothing… defeat” (Wiesel 69). Wiesel’s father is defeated, his faith broken, battered, and bruised from an overwhelming feeling of worthlessness. After a while, faith is forgotten. Akiba Drumer, a man devout in the Jewish faith, also begins to question whether God is real. After being a victim of selection, Wiesel tells of Akiba’s last thoughts on God and His mercy. Wiesel states, “Lately he had been wandering among us… telling everyone how weak he was: ‘I can’t go on… It’s over’… he could no longer fight, he had… no more strength” (Wiesel 76). Even the man who keeps the faith of so many others alive, falls victim to his surroundings towards the end. God is the only hope for these people, but now, they have
Three people who undergo these tests of faith are: Wiesel, Wiesel’s father, and Akiba Drumer. Wiesel starts to question God’s authority and just nature after spending time in the concentration camps. Wiesel states, “Why, would I bless Him? Every fiber in me rebelled...He caused thousands of children to burn in His mass graves” (Wiesel 67). Wiesel believes that God is the cause of all suffering and is not worthy of praise. Hence, his loss of faith. Similarly, Wiesel’s father experiences a dip in faith. When Rosh Hashanah comes around, it is noticeable that something is changing within the camp, faith is dwindling. Wiesel expresses, “I looked up at my father’s face… but there was nothing… defeat” (Wiesel 69). Wiesel’s father is defeated, his faith broken, battered, and bruised from an overwhelming feeling of worthlessness. After a while, faith is forgotten. Akiba Drumer, a man devout in the Jewish faith, also begins to question whether God is real. After being a victim of selection, Wiesel tells of Akiba’s last thoughts on God and His mercy. Wiesel states, “Lately he had been wandering among us… telling everyone how weak he was: ‘I can’t go on… It’s over’… he could no longer fight, he had… no more strength” (Wiesel 76). Even the man who keeps the faith of so many others alive, falls victim to his surroundings towards the end. God is the only hope for these people, but now, they have