Identity In Night By Elie Wiesel

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Eliezer’s account uses simplistic expressions to illustrate a personal perspective through which the reader receives a harrowingly intimate description of life under the Nazis. In Wiesel’s simplistic retelling of Elie’s experience he gives the memoir immense power by weaving many sub-layers of meaning under what the reader absorbs at face value. Which prompts them to peel back the layers of hidden meaning in order to reach the core. This essay is an attempt to peel back the layers to expose the core of the effects of identity and faith imposed on Elie. Changes to Eliezer’s identity as well as his characterisation and understanding of God greatly impact his character’s development throughout the memoir. “We are fragmented into so …show more content…
Many were filled with disgust, as the God they were so loyal to had abandoned them when they were subject to such cruelty. Most could not accept the silence and rebelled against their religious upbringing. Although some still had faith that God had a greater purpose in mind, and though they opposed the idea of suffering, they would suffer with pride along with the belief that they are part of God's plan. And so Wiesel and his town were indoctrinated without incident into the camps, believing that if their faith endured, they would be saved. Soon the delusions faded and Wiesel began to doubt God. It's debatable whether Elie completely lost his faith in God, but it is apparent that he vastly changed from the religion driven youth he once was. We see glimpses of Elie questioning and refuting God, but we also see the contradictory behavior he exhibits by returning to praise. He cannot reconcile with the atrocities that he sees. Although he repeatedly enforces that he has, it is arguable that he does not lose faith in God, but loses his faith that God is absolutely …show more content…
But sooner or later, the seemingly meaningless suffering his people endured burst into the consciousness of his seemingly indomitable Jewish faith. In the face of the crematory pit, Elie Wiesel noted, “For the first time I felt revolt rise up in me. Why should I bless His name? The Eternal, Lord of the Universe, the All-Powerful and Terrible, was silent. What had I to thank Him for?'' (Night, 31) He awoke to the idea that he was “...alone-terribly alone in a world without God...'' (Night, 65) The first quote is taken from a significant time in the novel as this is the reader's first time witnessing Elie voice his doubts about God. As he watches the men, women and children being systematically burned alive he is unable to justify sanctifying the name of God because if God would not save His children, who would? Eventually, lack of faith turned to despair. In the hospital at Auschwitz, Wiesel met a man consumed with his own despair. He said, “I've got more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. He's the only one who's kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people.'' (Night, 77) As perverse as the statement is, Hitler promised to exterminate the Jews and from their perspective, he is fulfilling that promise. The character speaks with dry cynicism; he does not really have faith in Hitler. His statement actually reveals immense bitterness and deep
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