1. The process of Jewish dehumanization in Germany leading up to the Holocaust can be traced back to the Nazi propaganda machine and anti-Semitic beliefs ingrained in society. Jews were portrayed as subhuman and blamed for Germany's problems. They were stripped of their rights, livelihoods, and eventually their humanity.
In Eastern Europe, the effects of this dehumanization were devastating. Jewish communities faced increasing persecution, segregation, and violence. They were forced into crowded ghettos, subjected to constant surveillance, and denied basic human rights. The dehumanization process made it easier for the Nazi regime and collaborators to carry out mass deportations and executions.
The dehumanization process was possible due to a combination of factors. Firstly, years of anti-Semitic propaganda and societal scapegoating laid the groundwork for widespread acceptance of the Nazi ideology. Additionally, the fear and uncertainty of war, economic instability, and nationalistic sentiments exacerbated the dehumanization of Jews.
In the book Night by Elie Wiesel, numerous actions further dehumanized the Jewish people. Upon arrival at Auschwitz, the prisoners were immediately subjected to selection, where their fate was decided based on superficial criteria. Families were torn apart, and human dignity was stripped away as they were shaved, tattooed, and forced to wear striped uniforms. The constant abuse, starvation, and witnessing of brutal violence against fellow prisoners added to their dehumanization.
2. The father-son relationship is a prominent theme in Night. In the face of extreme adversity, the bond between Elie Wiesel and his father is tested and evolves throughout their time in the concentration camps.
Initially, Elie and his father exhibit a strong bond, relying on each other for emotional support and physical survival. Elie's father, Chlomo, serves as a source of strength and guidance. They share a mutual desire to protect and stay together during their harrowing experiences.
However, as their situation worsens, the strain on their relationship becomes evident. Elie witnesses his father's decline, physically and mentally, as he succumbs to exhaustion, illness, and despair. Elie struggles with his feelings of guilt and obligation towards his father, torn between prioritizing his own survival and caring for his ailing father.
The bond between Elie and his father ultimately becomes strained due to the dehumanizing conditions they face. Elie's own survival instincts sometimes overtake his empathy, leading to moments where he questions the value of the father-son relationship. For example, when his father is selected for the crematorium, Elie feels a sense of relief rather than sadness, indicating the deeply dehumanizing impact of the Holocaust.
Despite the challenges, the bond between Elie and his father endures until the end. Elie stays with his father until Chlomo's death, symbolizing the perseverance and resilience of their relationship in the face of unimaginable horrors. Their bond, though strained and tested, allows them to find strength and solace within each other during the darkest times.
1. Describe the process of Jewish dehumanization that took place in Germany leading up to the Holocaust. How did it affect the people in Eastern Europe? Why was that dehumanization process possible, and what actions took place in the book Night that further dehumanized the Jewish people? 2. Analyze the father-son relationship in this book. Define what that bond means or doesn't mean. Give examples
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