Elie Wiesel Dehumanization In Night

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At a time when the President of the United States is using vulgar and derogatory terms to describe other countries and cultures, it is now more paramount than ever to strengthen and celebrate our empathy and compassion for others. Treating people with respect and love is the essence of our identity and not only makes us human, it makes us thrive. Some of the most malevolent acts of humanity occurred in our recent history during the horrors of the holocaust. Thankfully, its victims and survivors have been brave enough to provide us detailed accounts of what they did to survive such a tragedy. An example of such a hero is Elie Wiesel, a Romanian writer who wrote his gripping first-hand account of the Holocaust, Night. Through Elie Wiesel’s exploration of dehumanization in Night, he reminds us that the love for the relationships he developed helped him survive the atrocities he goes through. …show more content…

As the events of the Holocaust progress, Elie and Shlomo live only for each other. For instance, by the end of the book, when the prisoners are fighting to survive the Death March, Elie tells his father, “We’ll take turns. I’ll watch over you and you’ll watch over me” (89). During this exchange, Elie and Shlomo decide to take turns watching over each other during the brutal death march, so that they don’t die in the cold, violent weather. Another relationship that has helped Elie survive the atrocities he goes through is with the inmates of the concentration camps. Through kindness and caring they supported each other. This altruistic system based on compassion saved Elie and his Father. When they were at a crossroads between ending up with the notorious Dr.Mengele or going to the barracks, a fellow inmate advised them to lie about their age in order to avoid a certain death. “Do you hear? Eighteen and

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