Final answer:
The head of Wiesel's block may insist that prisoners are not in danger as a psychological tactic to maintain order and prevent panic, reflective of the overall strategy of deception used by the Nazis during the Holocaust. Historical instances, such as the reports by Jan Karski and the world's incredulity, mirror the disbelief and false reassurances found in the concentration camps. It is also a literary device illustrating moral complexities and the instinct for survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
The head of Wiesel's block in Night insists so firmly that none of the prisoners is in danger likely as a means of maintaining order and preventing panic. The historical context of World War II, particularly around the Holocaust and Nazi tactics, sheds light on the strategies of deception used by Nazi officials to manage and eventually carry out the mass extermination of Jews and other targeted groups. The block leader's assertions could be a reflection of the pernicious atmosphere created by the Nazis, where misinformation was rife, and chaos and despair were held at bay with false reassurances. In this environment, the prisoners, subject to extreme physical and mental strain, may cling to any semblance of hope, even when facing overwhelming evidence of their peril.
An example deriving from a similar premise is found in Jan Karski's reports about the Warsaw ghetto and transit camps during the war. Karski's revelations were so shocking that even informed and empathetic individuals such as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter found them hard to accept. This indicates the degree of incredulity that the truth could invoke – a parallel to the disbelief and denial that might be instigated by the block leader's insistence on safety despite the ominous circumstances.
In literary discourses, maintaining a facade of normalcy or safety in the face of evident danger is often used as a device to illustrate the moral complexities and survival instincts within human nature. Likewise, it could be viewed as a strategy for preventing hopelessness and resistance, ensuring that prisoners comply with their captors' orders.