Final answer:
The parallel between Rabbi Eliahu and his son and Elie Wiesel's relationship with his father in 'Night' reflects the complex dynamics of familial duty and survival during the Holocaust. While Rabbi Eliahu's son abandons him, Elie remains devoted to his father, highlighting Elie's moral struggle and the resilience of human bonds under extreme hardship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The parallel between Rabbi Eliahu and his son in 'Night' by Elie Wiesel, and the relationship between Elie and his own father, can be understood in terms of duty, care, and the challenging circumstances they face. Both pairs navigate the treacherous circumstances of the Holocaust, yet their relationships take divergent paths. The way Rabbi Eliahu's son abandons him contrasts with Elie's continued dedication to his father, thereby highlighting Wiesel's own moral struggle and the effects of extreme hardship on human bonds.
In the case of Rabbi Eliahu and his son, we observe a heartbreaking moment when the son deliberately leaves his father behind during the death march, hoping to increase his own chances of survival. This stands in stark contrast to Elie's relationship with his father, where despite the extreme conditions, Elie remains committed to his father's well-being until his father's death. Elie's struggle to care for his father while also grappling with his own survival represents the core tension in their relationship, exposing the complexities of love, responsibility, and sacrifice under inhuman pressures.
The depiction of these father-son relationships serves to illumine the broader consequences of the Holocaust on personal and ethical dilemmas and the resilience of familial bonds. It provides readers with profound insight into the human capacity for both compassion and cruelty in the face of existential threat.