Wiesels Night Essays - Holocaust Literature, Night, Book Of Exodus

Wiesel's Night Theology 1) How did Wiesel's belief in God change through his camp experiences? In the beginning of the book, Wiesel strongly believed in a god. He believed in a god so strongly that he sought out someone to teach him about his god. He also wanted to teach him how to live by the rules of his god. As the book, progressed Wiesel began to lose faith in his god. Wiesel saw many horrific events, which led him to believe that there is no possibility of a god existing because he would never let these things happen to his people. By the end of the novel, Wiesel had lost all faith in God. 5) Wiesel expresses his anger at God many times during the book but especially on page 65. What do you think about this anger? Is it understandable, appropriate or is it irrational or even blasphemous? I think that Wiesel's anger is completely understandable. If I were enduring such hardships as Wiesel, I might very well become just as angry as he does at the god I believe in. I might even denounce him as Wiesel does. Wiesel has the right to be angry. He feels that he does not deserve to be enduring such hardships. He wants god to help him by stopping the pain and when God does not come to the aid of Wiesel, he denounces him. Emotions probably ran so high and the pain was probably so great that it was very easy to become angry with god. 6) At one point, Wiesel says he does not feel human anymore. What did he mean by this and what things can make a person lose his sense of humanity and dignity? I think when Wiesel says that he does not feel human anymore he means that he is living like an animal. He is caged like an animal. He works like an animal. He also is stripped of all the things that make him human. He is not aloud to stand up for his rights. He can not speak with his own free will. If he does, he will be killed. This compares to someone who beats his or her dog. If you hit the dog long enough and he will flinch anytime, someone raises a hand to the dog. The dog has been stripped of his pride just like Wiesel who has been stripped of his pride. 4) Who was Moshe the Beadle in Wiesel's life? What happened to Moshe and how was he changed? Moshe the Beadle was a poor man who worked in the Hasidic synagogue. He is an exception to the town's rule of not talking or respecting poor people. At the beginning of the story he talks to Wiesel and learns that Wiesel wants to learn the ways of the Zohar. Wiesel agrees to meet with him and discuss life. Soon after they begin there lessons Moshe the Beadle is deported because he is not a native of the town. Several months passed and Moshe the beadle returned. He had changed. His eyes were no longer filled with joy. He wandered from house to house telling the people of the town what had happened to all the foreign Jews. He watched, as the foreign Jews had to dig their own grave and then be shot. He was so astonished by these events that it changes him for good. He was almost insane. Religion