Motifs in Night and Chapter 2

Night Chapter 2

Elie Wiesel

Motif

A motif is a recurring element that has significance in a story. It can be a recurring image, theme, symbol, character, or even a word that contributes to the development of the theme and is used to bring attention to an important aspect of the narrative. In literature, motifs are used to establish a certain mood or a theme and can be found in various forms such as concepts, actions, or objects. For example, motifs can be used to emphasize the theme of love, loss, or freedom in a story.

Motifs in Night

In Night, Elie Wiesel recounts the harrowing ordeal of Eliezer, a character based on his own experiences, as he endures the atrocities of the Holocaust under German occupation. The narrative exposes the inner turmoil of the prisoners, their wavering faith, and the shock of the world’s indifference to their plight. Wiesel employs motifs like tradition and religious practice to illuminate the profound losses and brutality of the Holocaust, culminating in the tragic extermination of six million Jews by war’s end.

Match

Match the following

• A motif is a repeated story element.

• It highlights key narrative aspects.

• Used to reinforce themes.

• Shows Holocaust’s impact.

• Reflects story’s deeper meaning.

What is a Motif?

Motif Purpose

Motif in Literature

Motif in “Night”

Motif Significance

• What is a Motif?

• Motif Purpose

• Motif in Literature

• Motif in “Night”

• Motif Significance

Tradition

The concept of tradition is of great significance in Judaism. These traditions are handed down from generation to generation in an effort to maintain the religion and it values. When Hitler came into power, his goal was to annihilate and humiliate Jews and all they believed in and practiced as a part of the religion. Night shows us how systematic this was and the impact this had on the people. In Night, Jews were forced to break their most sacred traditions. Their dietary laws were demolished, their heads were shaved and tattooed, and the goal of wiping out the entire population was intended to eradicate Judaism and their cultural identity from the face of the earth.

Tradition

We see many examples of tradition in Night. Traditions around the concept of God are a prevalent image. 'Every one around us was weeping... may his name be sanctified'. This made Eliezer angry. When he heard his father utter these words, his anger rose. He did not understand how God could be praised when so much agony was happening around him.

Tradition

Later in the book, Eliezer has lost all faith in God and religion. He tells us, 'Where is merciful God, where is he?' These words are spoken by the men around him after two men and a boy were hanged because the boy looked so innocent.
.

Eliezer is determined to hold onto tradition, even when he as lost faith. He tries to observe fasting on Yom Kippur, but finds it a struggle. He suffers guilt when he realizes that he has forgotten to say Kaddish, a mourners prayer, for Akiba Drumer because he fears he has slighted the traditions he was raised to observe. Once it is clear he has lost all faith he says, 'Blessed be Gods name. Why, but why would I bless him?'

Multiple Choice

What was the goal of Hitler’s regime regarding the Jews and their traditions as depicted in Night?

• To promote Jewish traditions

• To preserve the cultural identity of Judaism

• To annihilate and humiliate Jews and their traditions

• To encourage religious diversity

Multiple Choice

How did Eliezer react to his father praising God amidst the suffering?

• He joined in the praise

• He became angry

• He felt comforted

• He remained indifferent

Multiple Choice

Despite losing his faith, what tradition does Eliezer struggle to observe?

• Lighting the menorah

• Fasting on Yom Kippur

• Celebrating Hanukkah

• Reading the Torah

Religious Observance

The struggle with religious observance experienced by Eliezer is an important motif in Night. In the early pages of this book, religious observances are prevalent. He is upset that the Nazis have destroyed the synagogue and as a result have dishonored the Sabbath. By the end of Night, Eliezer makes very few references to religion. However, the entire book is held together by religious metaphors. There are biblical references, and although Eliezer claims that religion and faith have ceased to be important to him, Night is filled with images of both.

Religious Observance

Fasting is an important part of Judiasm, but Eliezer chose not to fast on Yom Kippur. He says, 'I did not fast, first of all to please my father who had forbidden me to do so'. He goes on to say, 'And then there was no reason for me to fast, I no longer accepted God's Silence'. He had chosen to ignore his religious practices so he could protest against all that he had been taught.

Religious Observance

Witnessing relentless cruelty in the camps, Eliezer questions how a benevolent God could permit such atrocities. His faith erodes as he sees prisoners turn on each other, failing to unite against their oppressors, leading him to conclude that either God is cruel or nonexistent. As he moves between camps, his religious faith diminishes completely, especially after his father's death, which leaves him unable to mourn or cry.

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of the synagogue's destruction to Eliezer?

• It signifies the loss of a community gathering place.

• It represents a personal attack on his family.

• It symbolizes the dishonoring of the Sabbath and an affront to his religious observance.

• It leads to a strengthened faith in God.

Multiple Choice

Why does Eliezer choose not to fast on Yom Kippur?

• To regain his strength and health.

• To protest against God's silence and reject his religious teachings.

• To follow the orders of the camp authorities.

• Because he forgot the date due to the chaos in the camps.

Chapter 2 of Night

Night Chapter 2.pdf - Google Drive

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Reorder

Reorder the following

• 1. Eliezer and his family are deported from Sighet.

• 1. Eliezer and his family are crammed into cattle cars for transport.

• 1. The passengers on the train encounter a German officer who demands their compliance.

• 1. The train arrives at Birkenau, the gateway to Auschwitz.

• ezer witnesses the flames from the crematorium for the first time.

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Multiple Choice

What is the main theme of the journey described in the text?

• Friendship
• Survival
• Adventure
• Despair
• Education

Multiple Choice

How do the passengers economize their food?

• By eating all at once
• By saving for later
• By sharing with others
• By throwing it away
• By eating as much as possible

Multiple Choice

What realization do the passengers have upon stopping at Kaschau?

• They are going on a vacation
• They are staying in Hungary
• They are not staying in Hungary
• They are returning home
• They are going to a party

Multiple Choice

How does Mrs. Schächter react during the journey?

• She is calm and collected
• She sings happily
• She predicts fire and disaster
• She tells jokes
• She reads a book

Multiple Choice

What is the reaction of other passengers to Mrs. Schächter's screams?

• They comfort her
• They ignore her
• They join her in screaming
• They gag and bind her
• They dance

Multiple Choice

What symbolizes the loss of hope and innocence among the passengers?

• The arrival at Auschwitz
• The sight of flowers
• The singing of songs
• The sharing of food
• The division of families

Multiple Choice

What role does Mrs. Schächter's son play in the narrative?

• He is the narrator
• He is a source of comfort for her
• He is the antagonist
• He is indifferent
• He is the leader of the passengers

Multiple Choice

How is the theme of foreboding developed in the text?

• Through dreams of freedom
• Through descriptions of landscapes
• Through Mrs. Schächter's visions of fire
• Through joyful conversations
• Through the distribution of food

Multiple Choice

What does the reaction of the passengers to Mrs. Schächter's visions suggest about human nature?

• Indifference to suffering
• Capacity for empathy
• Tendency to ignore warnings
• Desire for peace
• Ability to adapt

Multiple Choice

How does the setting contribute to the mood of the narrative?

• It is uplifting and bright
• It is ambiguous and confusing
• It is dark and foreboding
• It is nostalgic and serene
• It is joyful and lively

Multiple Choice

What does the text suggest about the impact of extreme conditions on human behavior?

• It brings out the best in people
• It has no real impact
• It leads to a breakdown of social norms
• It encourages creativity
• It fosters a strong sense of community

Multiple Choice

How do the passengers' views on their situation change over time?

• They become more hopeful
• They become indifferent
• They become more despairing
• They become excited
• They become nostalgic

Multiple Choice

What does the interaction between the German officer and the passengers reveal about power dynamics?

• Equality among all
• Dominance of the officer
• Cooperation for mutual benefit
• Friendship despite differences
• Independence of the passengers

Multiple Choice

How is the theme of loss depicted in the text?

• Through the loss of physical possessions
• Through the loss of personal identities
• Through the loss of life
• Through the loss of hope
• All of the above

Multiple Choice

What literary device is primarily used to create tension in Mrs. Schächter's predictions?

• Irony
• Metaphor
• Foreshadowing
• Simile
• Hyperbole

Open Ended

How does the treatment affect the people on the cattle car? How do they begin to behave?

Open Ended

Why do you think people behave differently when placed in stressful situations?