Final answer:
In Chapter 4 of 'Night' by Elie Wiesel, fear and hunger are potent motivators that dominate the lives of concentration camp prisoners, dictating their actions and interactions in their fight for survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Night by Elie Wiesel, fear and hunger are dominant forces that not only shape the motivations of the characters but also the landscape of their lives. In Chapter 4, these elements are particularly salient and serve as constant reminders of the harrowing conditions under which the prisoners in the concentration camps live. The omnipresent fear of death, violence, and the unknown, compounded by the unbearable hunger that gnaws at them incessantly, governs their actions and thoughts.
Fear is manifested in their daily struggle for survival, the unpredictable brutality of the guards, and the ever-present threat of selection for the gas chambers. This fear motivates the prisoners to act out of desperation, shaping their relationships and interactions with one another. Hunger, on the other hand, is a palpable force that dominates their existence to such an extent that it often supersedes all other concerns. The scarcity of food and the intense hunger that results highlights the dire conditions in the camps and the animalistic nature of basic survival instincts.
The illustrations from various literature pieces and historical accounts emphasize how human motivation is significantly influenced by such primal needs. In the face of extreme deprivation and danger, fear and hunger become the overriding motivators, revealing the stark reality of human existence when stripped down to its most fundamental elements.