The book Night reveals the horrifying events of the Holocaust, a highly brutal act in human history. However, amidst this darkness, hope serves as a vital tool that enables individuals to endure and remain resilient despite immense devastation.
Elie Wiesel’s Night is an inspiring account of his experiences in multiple concentration camps during the Holocaust. In 1941, Elie, a religious boy from a loving family, was forcibly taken from his home and sent to Auschwitz. He was separated from his mother and sisters but remained with his father, resulting in their transfer between camps. Elie chronicles the loss of family members, the shattering of his innocence, and the extreme suffering that causes life and death to lose all meaning.
At the beginning of the book, Eli Wiesel is deeply religious and maintains his faith in god even after arriving at the camps. However, witnessing the atrocities inflicted upon those around him causes him to question his faith. Throughout his time in the camps, Wiesel’s faith continues to diminish. But a glimmer of hope arises when a young boy defiantly utters words of hope and curses Germany just before his own death. Despite the boy’s tragic end, his words remind Wiesel that there is still a chance for survival. Instead of fully surrendering, Wiesel almost gives up but should have embraced the quote “I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.” It was crucial for him to understand that these events had purpose and that ultimately god would make everything right, although not necessarily entirely in his favor. Nevertheless, things would have resolved themselves one way or another.
At the start of the book, Elie was deeply religious, seeking knowledge from Moishe. Despite the chaos, he held onto hope for survival, praying to the god within him for strength and understanding. Elie recognized the need to delve into himself to comprehend the reasons behind such horrors, relying on God’s guidance. The unimaginable experiences of life in the Holocaust were unbearable, with Elie and countless others enduring unimaginable devastation.
It’s not until you realize that things are truly as they appear. It’s as if you desire for them to be different. Everything becomes tangible and you comprehend what is truly occurring in your surroundings. It’s as though the saying ‘you have to open your eyes to see reality’ is indeed accurate. You don’t want to perceive the truth in matters, regardless of how challenging it may be, but occasionally, it is advantageous to do so. “Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the suffering of humanity.”
Elie’s father played a vital role in upholding his faith and resolve. Even though Elie was the sole survivor of his family, he cherished his father deeply and made every effort to ensure their survival. The immense stress and strain he endured left him pondering about the origin of his father’s smile. Upon contemplation, it becomes evident that Elie was likely alluding to his father himself. His father held tremendous importance in his existence and acted as the primary motivation behind his determination in the concentration camps. He personified hope and provided Elie with a purpose to persevere.
“Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.” In times of adversity, it is crucial to persevere and maintain belief. Even during the darkest moments, dreaming and believing can offer comfort and the strength to endure. While it is heartbreaking to witness someone lose everything, including their faith, in the face of tragedy, hope can still be discovered. Elie Wiesel’s unyielding faith and hope were put to the test; however, he ultimately found solace in his surroundings. Although his hope may have been limited, it played a vital role in his survival throughout the Holocaust.
