A father’s relationship with his son can be a burden, or so loving that it becomes his son’s saving grace. This was a concept demonstrated in Night by Elie Wiesel and the film Life is Beautiful, for although they explored two unique father-son relationships, Elie had to become paternal so to protect his father, while Joshua was consistently cared for by Guido.
Unlike Joshua, Elie became an adult as soon as he entered his concentrations camp. Upon arriving, Elie was separated from his mother and sister–who he would unknowingly never see again–and instructed to lie about his age, claiming he was 18 rather than 15. Afterward, Elie clutched his father’s hand, knowing if he failed to do so, Elie’s father would be lost just like his mother and sister. …show more content…
As he was so young, Guido easily convinced his son they were participating in a silly “game” in order to win a tank. Thus, Joshua was assured they were no present danger, but he would have to obey his father if they were to win. Unlike Elie’s father, Guido was prepared with a natural wit and determination that assisted him in hiding and protecting his son, all while ensuring he was calm. His actions demonstrated a willingness to protect his son that Elie’s father couldn’t match, especially once his health deteriorated and he became entirely reliant on Elie. Nevertheless, when the two fathers unfortunately passed, an older Joshua–now aware of what the game was–referred to his father’s sacrifice as a gift, while Elie conveyed, “I did not weep, and it pained me that I could not weep. But I was out of tears. And deep inside me, if I could have searched the recess of my feeble conscience, I might have found something like: Free at last!...” (112). Elie’s reaction, although unexpected, didn’t mean he loved his father any less than Joshua loved Guido, but that he was released from a burden and could now focus on his own survival. Joshua, fortunately, was never introduced to the situation that endangered Elie more and plagued him with guilt: He didn’t have to care for his father, for his father was able to care for
Unlike Joshua, Elie became an adult as soon as he entered his concentrations camp. Upon arriving, Elie was separated from his mother and sister–who he would unknowingly never see again–and instructed to lie about his age, claiming he was 18 rather than 15. Afterward, Elie clutched his father’s hand, knowing if he failed to do so, Elie’s father would be lost just like his mother and sister. …show more content…
As he was so young, Guido easily convinced his son they were participating in a silly “game” in order to win a tank. Thus, Joshua was assured they were no present danger, but he would have to obey his father if they were to win. Unlike Elie’s father, Guido was prepared with a natural wit and determination that assisted him in hiding and protecting his son, all while ensuring he was calm. His actions demonstrated a willingness to protect his son that Elie’s father couldn’t match, especially once his health deteriorated and he became entirely reliant on Elie. Nevertheless, when the two fathers unfortunately passed, an older Joshua–now aware of what the game was–referred to his father’s sacrifice as a gift, while Elie conveyed, “I did not weep, and it pained me that I could not weep. But I was out of tears. And deep inside me, if I could have searched the recess of my feeble conscience, I might have found something like: Free at last!...” (112). Elie’s reaction, although unexpected, didn’t mean he loved his father any less than Joshua loved Guido, but that he was released from a burden and could now focus on his own survival. Joshua, fortunately, was never introduced to the situation that endangered Elie more and plagued him with guilt: He didn’t have to care for his father, for his father was able to care for