Final answer:
In literature, night often symbolizes a time for transformation, danger, or introspection. It can signify the character's inner struggle, create suspense, or reflect a moment of change or discovery, sometimes leading to a new dawn.
Step-by-step explanation:
- When night falls in literature, it often introduces a setting that is ripe for contemplation, danger, or transformation. In the provided excerpts, night serves various symbolic and narrative functions.
- Sometimes it reflects the inner turmoil of characters, as seen in Elie Wiesel's Night, or sets a stage for suspense and mystery, highlighted by a sense of isolation and reflective episodes.
- Other times, it precedes significant revelations or changes in the characters' circumstances, offering both respite and challenge.
- For instance, a character might feel the chill of night and the fear it brings, while another might experience a profound moment of clarity or terror, such as a startling blow that plunges everything into darkness and silence.
- Lastly, night can also signify the brink of a new beginning, contrasting the darkness with the first light of dawn, suggesting hope and renewal. The constant is that night disrupts the ordinary flow of life, creating a backdrop for critical events and emotional experiences in the storyline.