Dehumanization is the process by which a person is stripped of the qualities that make them human, such as their identity and sentimental values. The process of dehumanization will commonly result in the loss of determination, hope, and happiness, concluding in a loss of the will to live. The autobiographical work of Elie Wiesel, Night, showcases Wiesel in the era of the Holocaust when Nazis commonly used the process of dehumanization in order to easily kill off Jews and other minority groups in large amounts. Night revolves around what the Nazis have done to Wiesel, dehumanizing him even though he is determined enough to escape Auschwitz with whatever dignity remains. Throughout the story, dehumanization massively affects not only Elie but
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Elie was separated from his mother and sister, Tzipora, having to stay with and rely on his father. Right after that, Elie and the other Jews were interrogated for their age and profession. Elie writes, “In no time, I stood before him (SS officer). ‘Your age?’ he asked, perhaps trying to sound paternal. ‘I’m eighteen.’ My voice was trembling. ‘In good health?’ ‘Yes’ ‘Your profession?’ … ‘Farmer,’ I heard myself saying. This conversation lasted no more than a few seconds. It seemed like eternity” (31-32). Every Jew underwent these interrogations, which furthermore sorted them by their physical capability, leaving many feeling unworthy to live and …show more content…
Elie writes, “A few SS officers wandered through the room, looking for strong men. If vigor was that appreciated, perhaps one should try to appear sturdy? My father thought the opposite. Better not to draw attention” (35). In this situation, certain Jews were picked instead of others, creating a feeling of insignificance with little desire to continue to live.
One of the most impactful acts of dehumanization was when the Nazis replaced the Jew’s names with identity numbers. Elie writes, “I became A-7713. From then on, I had no other name”(42). Names are what is gifted to people by their parents, holding a lot of sentimental value and a feeling of specialty. When the Nazis took away each of the Jews’ unique names and replaced them with trite and dull identification numbers, the Jews feel less important, overall dehumanizing
Elie was separated from his mother and sister, Tzipora, having to stay with and rely on his father. Right after that, Elie and the other Jews were interrogated for their age and profession. Elie writes, “In no time, I stood before him (SS officer). ‘Your age?’ he asked, perhaps trying to sound paternal. ‘I’m eighteen.’ My voice was trembling. ‘In good health?’ ‘Yes’ ‘Your profession?’ … ‘Farmer,’ I heard myself saying. This conversation lasted no more than a few seconds. It seemed like eternity” (31-32). Every Jew underwent these interrogations, which furthermore sorted them by their physical capability, leaving many feeling unworthy to live and …show more content…
Elie writes, “A few SS officers wandered through the room, looking for strong men. If vigor was that appreciated, perhaps one should try to appear sturdy? My father thought the opposite. Better not to draw attention” (35). In this situation, certain Jews were picked instead of others, creating a feeling of insignificance with little desire to continue to live.
One of the most impactful acts of dehumanization was when the Nazis replaced the Jew’s names with identity numbers. Elie writes, “I became A-7713. From then on, I had no other name”(42). Names are what is gifted to people by their parents, holding a lot of sentimental value and a feeling of specialty. When the Nazis took away each of the Jews’ unique names and replaced them with trite and dull identification numbers, the Jews feel less important, overall dehumanizing