The memoir makes me feel an emotion between anger and sadness. Throughout the book so far, it had been hard to grasp that all that happened, that Wiesel was describing, was real. It was hard to imagine that something this cruel would have actually happened. “Father,” I said. “If that is true, then I don’t want to wait. I’ll run into the electrified barbed wire. That would easier than a slow death in the flames”. (33). This quote moved me. It was not so astonishing that a young boy of 15, would rather take his own life than die a painful death. It is understandable to want to not endure pain. What is astonishing is that people, ordinary German people, could live with knowing the misery that they put other humans in. This quote ties in with the theme of Jews being viewed as “Alien” or “Parasite”. The Germans took viewing the Jews as Aliens or Parasite so extreme, that when it came time to kill the Jews, there was not much second-guessing. “Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes. Never shall I forget those things, even if I were condemned to live as long as God himself. Never”. (34). This line was especially powerful to me because it drove the author to a point where he didn’t even want to believe in God anymore. He didn’t want to live in a world where someone portrayed as a “savior” could let something as terrible as this happen. Wiesel did not want to live in a world at all. At this moment, he was driven to a state where he lost the will to live. The other terrible piece about this is that is not unfathomable. In fact, it is quite understandable. It is unfathomable to have to courage to relieve this misery, by writing about it.
Wiesel’s writing style draws out something so real, so descriptive, it feels like you are there on the side, suffering as well. His writing style is very fast paced. 3 months can go by in one page. However, Wiesel is so descriptive, that one night can feel like a week, just as if you were there. His writing is very rhythmic and almost has a certainty to it at some parts. Elie Wiesel’s language is clear and concise, which paints a frightening picture.
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.
Isabel,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your blog in many ways. I am especially intrigued by your words when you wrote, "He didn’t want to live in a world where someone portrayed as a ‘savior’ could let something as terrible as this happen." It really brought me to think about the quote you chose in a more expanded way. Before I thought of it like he had lost hope in faith and believing that everything will change and everything will go back to normal, but now you have me thinking of it from a broader perspective. He felt like God had failed him and he wondered how something like this could just go on. He felt like nobody had been trying to help and they just watched it from the distance.
Isabel,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your emotions. I felt the same way when I read that passage. It affected me significantly more than most of the book. How do you think Wiesel felt when he was dehumanized by the Germans? How does it make you feel to know that humans were treated this horribly?
Isabel,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was very interesting how you used the theme about how the Holicost was so extreme that Elie didn't want to believe in god any more. I think your writing was very advanced. You did a really good job!!