reader response 2

After reading further into Night, I have some new comments on the way the Jewish people were treated at the new camp, Buna. For example, I didn’t think it was acceptable that Idek randomly attacked Elie. You could easily compare this situation with bullying stories you hear about nowadays. Although it might not be to the same level of abuse, it is still not acceptable to hurt someone else for no reason. It is truly sad that people feel the need to take advantage of other people just because they simply “feel like it.” Elie says, “One day when Idek was venting his fury, I happened to cross his path. He threw himself on me like a wild beast...throwing me to the ground...Abruptly, he calmed down and sent me back to work as if nothing had happened” (53). Next, I believe that it is unfair that the dentists were checking the mouths of the Jewish people for gold crowns. It is not right that they had to give up items needed to keep their teeth good so the Germans could sell it for a little extra money. Although the way they are treated at Buna is slightly better than the cruel conditions at Auschwitz, like having the job of burning people alive, I still believe that they were treated as less than human.

            Another point Elie brought up that I didn’t quite agree with was his choice to give up on God. He says, “Why do you go on troubling these poor people’s wounded minds, their ailing bodies?” (66). I see why he is upset about God not helping the Jewish people out of their misery, but I don’t think he should turn against him all together. It must’ve felt like God abandoned all of them when they needed him most, which would be very difficult to keep hope alive. However, at least if he had kept praying it would’ve supplied him with a little optimism that eventually they would be returned to safety. By turning away from religion completely, it will eventually lead to someone becoming more negative and thinking you will never pull out of it. One point I could not imagine happened was Elie’s infirmary roommate saying, “I have more faith in Hitler than in anyone else” (81). How can you not have hatred from this monster when he is putting you through this torture?!?! He is the reason they were put through this! I was completely shocked when I read that section. Lastly, the author’s point of view had an impact on me when the doctors did the selections because I could feel the nervousness that Elie and his father felt. His father was becoming frailer by the day and he was the only one he had left. He would be devastated to lose him now, and I know if I was put in his situation, my stomach would be in knots. Overall, I am still very interested to see how Elie managed to make it out of this situation alive.