Elie Wiesel’s Night is a moving story about the tragedy and loss that was taken place during the Holocaust: “A German officer lodges in the Khans’ house across the street from us. We were told he was a charming man, calm, likable, and polite. Three days after we moved in, he brought Mrs. Kahn a box of chocolates. The optimist's were jubilant: ‘Well? What did we tell you? You wouldn't believe us. There they are, your germans’.” (10) At first, this quote confused me because I did not know why the Germans were being kind and generous to the Jews. I later realized that the Germans wanted to gain the Jews trust so when the Germans were ready, they could turn on the Jews and nobody would expect it. This was smart of the Germans, but this made me feel bad for the Jews because they were so vulnerable at that time: “At the start of the third week, our Blockalteste was removed; he was judged too humane, The new one was ferocious aides were veritable monsters.” (44) I think this is so shocking that they had to switch out the one person who was not being completely terrible to the people in the camps, to another person who was just as horrible as everyone else. Wiesel’s writing is very descriptive, detailed and almost makes me feel like I am there. I think he is most descriptive when he talks about leaving ghettos or concentration camps and moving on the the next one. There is just so much action that happens when they travel that it seems like I am experiencing it while I read it. Wiesel writing in this book is quick because over a couple of pages a large amount of time could go by, but he gives just enough information that it is not confusing and very interesting, although it is difficult to read in an emotional aspect.
Learning about the Holocaust has had a great impact on me. Previously I had little knowledge of its existence, now I know of its horrific impact on our past and present. It's difficult to comprehend the suffering these people went through. Even though it's devastating to process we have to understand so that we don't make the same mistakes. Nadia Murad’s article filled me with empathy as well as anger. Our world is still infected with thriving hatred, people are truly suffering. As citizens of a free country, we must take action, support survivors and give them justice. We need to stop squabbling over the small things and fight for human rights.
Eliza, your blog is very well written and I agree with what you have said. I mainly agree with the part where you mentioned the Germans gaining the Jews trust and then turning on them. The poor and innocent Jews did not see what happened to them, coming. They've done nothing wrong, yet their treated horrible. I really enjoyed reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteEliza
ReplyDeleteI think overall your blog was very nicely written. Even though you said you were a little bit confused why the Germans were being so nice and sometimes confused is not the best word for a blog you put it in context nicely. Honestly I was confused too in the novel. Great job :).