Describe Eliezer’s reaction to the hanging of the pipel. Why does this death affect him more than others he sees?

Answer 1

Eliezer's reaction to the hanging of the pipel is one of shock, disbelief, and a profound sense of loss. The pipel, a young boy who served as the assistant to the Oberkapo, was accused of aiding in an act of sabotage against the Nazis. Witnesses claimed that the pipel was involved in an underground resistance movement within the camp. When the verdict is announced, Eliezer refuses to accept it, stating that the pipel was innocent.

During the execution, the pipel is left hanging for 30 minutes, along with two other prisoners. Eliezer witnesses this horrific scene, and he is deeply affected by it. For Eliezer, the hanging of the pipel symbolizes the complete loss of humanity and compassion in the concentration camp. He is disturbed by the fact that the Nazis went to such extreme lengths to eliminate a child who was innocent in his eyes. It serves as a stark reminder of the cruelties and atrocities committed within the camp and deeply traumatizes Eliezer.

Furthermore, the pipel was someone Eliezer cared deeply for. He was a gentle and kind child, who had a close relationship with the Oberkapo, a prisoner who sometimes showed compassion. The pipel's death represents the loss of innocence and hope in a place where both were scarce. It affects Eliezer more than others he sees executed throughout his time in the camp because it highlights the brutality of the Nazi regime, the inhumanity of the concentration camp system, and the irreversible damage it inflicts on both the victims and the perpetrators.