Final answer:
The author's mention of age following the bread-throwing scene in 'Night' contributes to characterization and theme development by emphasizing the protagonist's youth and lost innocence during the Holocaust.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement "I was just sixteen" in the book Night following the throwing of bread scene is significant for several reasons. It could allude to the author's youth, highlighting his premature exposure to such harrowing experiences, thus it closely aligns with characterization. This detail reminds the reader of the protagonist's vulnerability and the loss of innocence, which are key in understanding the depth of the horrors experienced during the Holocaust. The age serves to emphasize the stark contrast between what is usually a time of exploring one's identity and dreams and the cruel and dehumanizing conditions of the concentration camps. Including the protagonist's age also contributes to theme development, as one of the central themes of the book is the loss of faith, which is strikingly impactful when considering the young age of Eliezer at the time of these events.