Comparative Analysis on Night and Across Five Aprils

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The books Night by Elie Wiesel and Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt hold many comparisons and contractions. Plots vary yet they still contain similarities, as do the characters and the themes. The time frame in both books take place during a war but at two very different times in history. Though the books have great likeness, the two still remain vastly distinctive.

Night by Elizer Wiesel narrates the tale of Elie during the Holocaust and the troubles caused by the Gestapo. Nazi aggressors force the Jewish people into lives of poverty and misery in concentration camps. When Elie thought that his world had ended American soldiers liberate the camps and the Jews can freely go back home. Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt tells the story of Jethro Creighton and his struggles at home during the American Civil War; his three eldest brothers, two of his cousins, and Shadrach go off to war. The war brings loss and hurt to the Creighton family and it ends after President Lincoln has won the reelection. Once the peace treaty confirms the end of war, the people can celebrate in relief that the fighting has ceased.

Both stories tell of a young boy that personally goes through the hardships of a war and must stay strong even when the option to quit becomes ideal. Jethro Creighton and Elie Wiesel stare the horrendous effects of the war in its metaphorical face, first and second hand. The wars that the children face take place in different eras in time; Elie has to participate in the removal of the Jews in the Holocaust in World War II and Jethro watches his family suffer and die in the American Civil War. Ellie himself goes through the concentration camps personally with his father as SS Officers watch their every move. He lost his father and ...

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...tells about the bonds of family. Family sticks together and carries a powerful bond. Though both stories have a theme of death and hurt, Night focuses more so on the fact that Elie lost most of everything he once had. Across Five Aprils holds a theme of forgiveness. John forgives Bill when Bill explains that his bullet did not kill their brother Tom.

The books, Night by Elie Wiesel and Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt, share many differences and many similarities. Though the plots differ, it shows many things alike. The characters and the books' themes also have many comparing and contrasting qualities, as does the time frame. These two interesting books prove that even though the two families live in different places at different times, they still have characteristics that bring them together.

Works Cited

Night by Elie Wiesel and Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt

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