Night Chapter 1 Comprehension Check

1: Who was Mochè the Beadle? Why was he an important figure in Elie's life?

2: Discuss the importance of religion in Elie's young life.

3: What significant event happened to Mochè the Beadle? Why? What story did he tell upon his return? How did Mochè escape this wretchedness?

4: Why did people refuse to listen to his (Mochè's) stories of what happened?

5: Mochè said, "I wanted to return to Sighet to describe to you my death so that you might ready yourselves while there is still time." What did he mean by this?

6: Why did Elie's father refuse to sell everything and move to Palestine? What is your opinion of his decision?

7: What were the Fascists doing to the Jews in Budapest? Why did the others refuse to take this action seriously?

8: After the leaders of the Jewish community were arrested, what were the orders to the other Jews?

9: What was the ghetto? At first, why were the Jews unconcerned about being placed in the ghettos? Soon afterwards, what happened to make them change their minds?

10: The inspector from the Hungarian police knocked on the window, but by the time someone went to see who it was, he was gone. What is the significance of this?