Question

Constructed Response: How does Elie's character develop throughout our text, Night, and how does this development change Elie's worldview and/or relationship with God? Give examples and use details from the text as evidence to support your answer.

Answer 1

At the beginning of the text, Elie is a normal Jewish boy. He is studying his scripture, and he believes in God because that is what he was taught. He is in fact quite religious and eager to learn more about God.

However, Eliezer's family is taken to a transportation camp, and he loses his whole family except for his father. As he begins to see more and more tragedy and injustice, he begins to doubt that God really exists. He also begins to doubt that God actually cares about the injustices that the Jews are having to face. He says that "some of the men spoke of God: His mysterious ways, the sins of the Jewish people, and the redemption to come. As for me, I had ceased to pray. I concurred with Job! I was not denying His existence, but I doubted His absolute justice."

As more and more tragedies accumulate, Eliezer becomes less sensitive, less empathetic and stops believing in God completely. His worldview is completely shattered. He states that:

"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 were I condemned to live as long as God Himself."

Eliezer concludes that there is no God, and no one cares about his suffering. Moreover, no one will come help him.

Answer 2

Answer: Before Eliezer was in distress through the Holocaust, he was a happy child who was extremely devout. As a boy, Eliezer had a motivation to travel over the mystical traditions of his faith. He would spend most of his time in the synagogue or studying the Talmud. Eliezer would also have long conversations with Moshe the Beadle about the secrets of the Zohar as well as the Kabbalah's mysteries. Eliezer's faith was strong, and his entire life was dedicated to exploring ancient Jewish religious traditions. Eliezer was a motivated, positive young man before the Holocaust began. After undergoing the terrible conditions and seeing the numerous atrocities of the Holocaust, Eliezer's personality dramatically changes. Eliezer becomes bitter and exhausted after his terrible experiences. He loses his faith and no longer believes in God. After the death of his father, Eliezer becomes numb. Eliezer loses all of his hope and is no longer focused on religious pursuits. Since losing his faith, Eliezer has had nothing to embrace and simply finds himself staying alive. At the end of the Holocaust, Eliezer is a broken, bitter person who is heartless and depressed. The shocking experiences change Eliezer's beliefs and character.