Human instincts are what keep people alive in dire situations — they’re what motivate people to do things they normally would never think of doing; however, this instinct also gives people power to disregard typical societal norms, which sometimes allows people to discard their emotional bonds with others. Such instances have taken place throughout history, leaving survivors who miraculously outlived their hardships. One particular instance is in the novel Night, where Holocaust survivor Elie Weisel recounts his experience in the Auschwitz concentration camp. His story, though innocent at first, slowly becomes more horrifying and emotionally tolling as his surroundings worsen. He, like countless others, has to discard his societal norms and
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Weisel became his father’s caretaker, thinking less of himself and more of “[being] separated from [his] father” (82). His affection for his father had grown to the point of a parental type of care; he knew he was in a dangerous place, but thought of his father’s survival instead of his own. This exemplifies his care for his father, powerful enough to override his most basic instincts. His newfound bond with his father caused him to become more of a father figure to his own father, reversing their parental roles. He showed this change when he described his father’s emaciated form as “childlike[,] weak, frightened,¨ and ¨vulnerable” (105). At this point in the book, on the journey to Buchenwald, he sees his father as someone he needed to take care of. Weisel feels the need to take care of his father, putting his father’s needs before his more self-concerning thoughts. One instance is when the Jews stop in the snow and receive coffee, and Weisel “[fights his] way to the coffee cauldron like a wild beast” (106). Here, Weisel throws away his conventional decency, just as many others did during the Holocaust — however, he differs from others because his drive to save his father’s life causes his desperation. Previously, he never acted that way to get food for himself. Again, Weisel shows a higher prioritization of his father’s life over his
Weisel became his father’s caretaker, thinking less of himself and more of “[being] separated from [his] father” (82). His affection for his father had grown to the point of a parental type of care; he knew he was in a dangerous place, but thought of his father’s survival instead of his own. This exemplifies his care for his father, powerful enough to override his most basic instincts. His newfound bond with his father caused him to become more of a father figure to his own father, reversing their parental roles. He showed this change when he described his father’s emaciated form as “childlike[,] weak, frightened,¨ and ¨vulnerable” (105). At this point in the book, on the journey to Buchenwald, he sees his father as someone he needed to take care of. Weisel feels the need to take care of his father, putting his father’s needs before his more self-concerning thoughts. One instance is when the Jews stop in the snow and receive coffee, and Weisel “[fights his] way to the coffee cauldron like a wild beast” (106). Here, Weisel throws away his conventional decency, just as many others did during the Holocaust — however, he differs from others because his drive to save his father’s life causes his desperation. Previously, he never acted that way to get food for himself. Again, Weisel shows a higher prioritization of his father’s life over his