Rahul Sampat
Miss Leja
Night Literary Analysis Essay
The Ambiguity in Relationships
“My father’s presence was the only thing that stopped me [from allowing myself to die]. . . . I had no right to let myself die. What would he do without me? I was his only support.” (Wiesel, ) Throughout the novel Night, Holocaust survivor Eliezer Wiesel discusses his relationship with his father and how it inspired him to continue to live in a depressive and dangerous Holocaust world. This relationship not only gives Elie the courage to face the reality of the concentration camps, but also his inner dilemma over the question of suicide. Over the course of the novel, father-son relationships mentioned in the memoir undergo significant changes. While Elie and …show more content…
After the evacuation of Buna, the Jews are forced to run on foot to the next camp, Gleiwitz, in harsh winter-weather conditions. Many prisoners get shot down by multiple guards running along their ranks either because they are too slow or they have totally given up. Elie also considers the idea of suicide, of escaping the cold and misery and fatigue that he is experiencing; his father’s presence, however, gives him the energy to go on. On page 86, Wiesel states, “My father’s presence was the only thing that stopped me. He was running next to me, out of breath, out of strength, desperate. I had no right let myself die. What would he do without me? I was his sole support.” Shlomo’s presence is very powerful for Elie because it gives him hope and courage in situations such as the death march where he is completely beat down and hopeless. For the entirety of the novel, Shlomo is vital for Elie’s survival, as he inspires Elie to forge on for his sake; Elie’s strong feelings for his father are what incentivize him to protect Shlomo in a harsh and cruel Holocaust world and to build a strong Father-Son Relationship. In Night,there are points of time when Elie feels that his father is burden in his journey for survival. However, the end result remains unchanged: Elie’s relationship with his father remains steady and constant in feeling and emotion. “If only I didn’t find him! If only I were relieved of this responsibility, I could use all my strength to fight for my own survival, to take care of only myself...Instantly, I felt ashamed, ashamed of myself forever.” (106) Although Elie did have doubts about supporting his father, the continuity of Elie and Shlomo’s supportive relationship shows the strength of their bond, a bond so strong that it could disrupt the doubts of a young man considering to leave his father to die. However it
Miss Leja
Night Literary Analysis Essay
The Ambiguity in Relationships
“My father’s presence was the only thing that stopped me [from allowing myself to die]. . . . I had no right to let myself die. What would he do without me? I was his only support.” (Wiesel, ) Throughout the novel Night, Holocaust survivor Eliezer Wiesel discusses his relationship with his father and how it inspired him to continue to live in a depressive and dangerous Holocaust world. This relationship not only gives Elie the courage to face the reality of the concentration camps, but also his inner dilemma over the question of suicide. Over the course of the novel, father-son relationships mentioned in the memoir undergo significant changes. While Elie and …show more content…
After the evacuation of Buna, the Jews are forced to run on foot to the next camp, Gleiwitz, in harsh winter-weather conditions. Many prisoners get shot down by multiple guards running along their ranks either because they are too slow or they have totally given up. Elie also considers the idea of suicide, of escaping the cold and misery and fatigue that he is experiencing; his father’s presence, however, gives him the energy to go on. On page 86, Wiesel states, “My father’s presence was the only thing that stopped me. He was running next to me, out of breath, out of strength, desperate. I had no right let myself die. What would he do without me? I was his sole support.” Shlomo’s presence is very powerful for Elie because it gives him hope and courage in situations such as the death march where he is completely beat down and hopeless. For the entirety of the novel, Shlomo is vital for Elie’s survival, as he inspires Elie to forge on for his sake; Elie’s strong feelings for his father are what incentivize him to protect Shlomo in a harsh and cruel Holocaust world and to build a strong Father-Son Relationship. In Night,there are points of time when Elie feels that his father is burden in his journey for survival. However, the end result remains unchanged: Elie’s relationship with his father remains steady and constant in feeling and emotion. “If only I didn’t find him! If only I were relieved of this responsibility, I could use all my strength to fight for my own survival, to take care of only myself...Instantly, I felt ashamed, ashamed of myself forever.” (106) Although Elie did have doubts about supporting his father, the continuity of Elie and Shlomo’s supportive relationship shows the strength of their bond, a bond so strong that it could disrupt the doubts of a young man considering to leave his father to die. However it