A Character Analysis of Elie Wiesel in Night

Introduction

Night by Elie Wiesel is a powerful and harrowing account of a Jewish boy's journey through unimaginable hardships during the Holocaust. The protagonist, Elie, endures hunger, violence, and the loss of loved ones, which raises the question of whether these experiences shaped him into a weaker or stronger individual. Ultimately, Elie sees himself as fragile and almost non-human, highlighting the profound impact of his suffering.

Initial Separation and Weakness

The story begins with Elie and his family being captured and sent to a concentration camp, where they are immediately separated. This initial separation marks the first instance when Elie displays signs of weakness, acknowledging that being stranded in the camp is a torment akin to being in God's hell (Wiesel, 2006, p. 1). As his time in the camp progresses, Elie becomes increasingly malnourished and relies on his father for support. However, their connection is tragically severed, and Elie's father eventually dies. These traumatic events undoubtedly have the potential to break the spirit of a young man, as Elie confesses towards the end of the book that he no longer feels like a human being, stating, "from the depths of the mirror, a corpse was contemplating me" (Wiesel, 2006, p. 2).

The Impact of Hardships

The profound impact of these hardships on Elie's character is further emphasized by the fact that Night is the first book in a trilogy. This suggests that there is hope for Elie to regain his strength and resilience in the subsequent books. Yet, the psychological scars are deep, and the trauma he endures is a testament to the horrific nature of the Holocaust. Despite the possibility of recovery, the conclusion of Night leaves the reader with the impression that Elie considers himself to be a weaker person as a result of the atrocities he has witnessed and endured. He has lost his family and experienced extreme hunger, ultimately undergoing profound changes in his personality. This transformation serves as a reminder of the indelible impact of human suffering and the resilience needed to overcome it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Night portrays the transformative power of traumatic events on an individual's character. Elie Wiesel's personal account reveals the devastating effects of the Holocaust, as he loses his loved ones and experiences unimaginable suffering. By the end of the book, Elie doubts his own humanity, leaving the reader to believe that he is now more fragile than ever. The references and works cited in this essay attest to the credibility of Wiesel's account and provide further insight into the profound impact of his experiences.

References

Wiesel, E. (2006). Night. Hill and Wang.