Chapter Five smashes through the celebration of a religion that Elie isn’t sure he believes in, the ‘selection’, and the threat of an ever-approaching attack from the Red Army. Because of this, the tone being gathered from the author is anger, rebellion, and despair.
First, anger; the chapter opens at the end of the Jewish year; it’s the eve of Rosh Hashana. The Jews have gathered to worship at the end of 1944. As the people pray, Elie stews in silent anger. “Why, but why would I bless him?” He wonders. To him, it seems, God has left.
Next, let’s touch on rebellion. On page 69, the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, is being celebrated; however, Elie chooses not to fast, which is the traditional approach to Yom Kippur. He
First, anger; the chapter opens at the end of the Jewish year; it’s the eve of Rosh Hashana. The Jews have gathered to worship at the end of 1944. As the people pray, Elie stews in silent anger. “Why, but why would I bless him?” He wonders. To him, it seems, God has left.
Next, let’s touch on rebellion. On page 69, the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, is being celebrated; however, Elie chooses not to fast, which is the traditional approach to Yom Kippur. He