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What metaphor does Elie use to describe what he has become at the concentration camp? (Hint: it's a body part). What is the significance of this? How does it show a larger theme (message) of the novel?

a) Elie uses the metaphor of his soul.
b) Elie uses the metaphor of his heart.
c) Elie uses the metaphor of his eyes.
d) Elie uses the metaphor of his arms

1 Answer

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Final answer:

c) Elie uses the metaphor of his eyes. Elie Wiesel uses the metaphor of his eyes to describe what he has become at the concentration camp. This metaphor symbolizes the loss of his innocence and the dehumanization that occurs in the camp. It reflects the larger theme of the novel, which is the profound impact of the Holocaust on survivors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elie Wiesel uses the metaphor of his eyes to describe what he has become at the concentration camp. In his memoir Night, he writes, 'Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my eyes into flames.' The significance of this metaphor is that it symbolizes the loss of his innocence, his ability to see the world in a hopeful and compassionate way. By describing his eyes as flames, Wiesel shows the inner torment and pain that he experienced during his time in the camp.

This metaphor of the eyes also reflects a larger theme of the novel, which is the dehumanization and loss of identity that occurs in the concentration camps. By using this metaphor, Wiesel emphasizes the profound impact that the Holocaust had on the survivors, not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually. It conveys the message that the atrocities of the Holocaust not only took a toll on the body, but also on the soul, changing people in ways that cannot be fully captured or understood.

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