How Does Elie Deal with His Fathers

The Complex Emotions of a Father-Son Bond in "Night"

The bond between a father and son is often considered one of the strongest and most influential relationships in a person's life. In Elie Wiesel's memoir, Night, this bond is put to the ultimate test as Elie and his father struggle to survive the horrors of the Holocaust. Throughout the narrative, Elie's feelings towards his father fluctuate, reflecting the complex emotions that arise in such traumatic circumstances. This essay will explore how Elie deals with his father's presence and absence, examining the impact of these experiences on his emotional state. Ultimately, it will argue that while Elie experiences a range of conflicting emotions after the death of his father, he ultimately finds strength and purpose in carrying on his father's legacy.

How Does Elie Deal with His Father's Death?

Elie's feelings towards his father after his death are mixed, reflecting the complex emotions that arise in such extreme circumstances. On one hand, Elie experiences a sense of relief and freedom after his father's passing. The burden of caring for his ailing father had taken a toll on Elie, both physically and emotionally. In the midst of the Holocaust, where survival is the only goal, Elie may have felt a sense of liberation from the responsibility of looking after another person. This is evident in his description of his father's death: "I did not weep, and it pained me that I could not weep. But I had no more tears. And, in the depths of my being, in the recesses of my weakened conscience, could I have searched it, I might perhaps have found something like - free at last!" (Wiesel, 2006, p. 112). Elie's inability to shed tears suggests a complex mix of emotions, including relief and guilt, as he grapples with his father's death.

However, alongside this sense of relief, Elie also experiences a deep sense of loss and grief. Despite the burdens and hardships, Elie had formed a strong bond with his father. Throughout their time in the concentration camps, they provided each other with emotional support and a reason to keep fighting. Elie recalls their relationship with fondness, stating, "I had not seen him since the morning of the evacuation. But I knew I had no time to think of him. It was only when I was ALONE that I felt the need of his company" (Wiesel, 2006, p. 88). This quote illustrates the deep connection Elie had with his father and how his absence left a void in his life. After his father's death, Elie is left with a profound sense of loneliness and emptiness, as depicted in his words: "Free at last!...But there was no joy in my heart. Why was I so sad? Why did I sense, behind my profound joy, a nagging sadness that would not go away?" (Wiesel, 2006, p. 112). Elie's conflicting emotions suggest that even in the face of death, the bond between father and son remains powerful and enduring.

Furthermore, Elie's feelings after his father's death are also influenced by his guilt and survivor's remorse. Elie and his father had relied on each other for support throughout their time in the concentration camps. Elie often questions whether he did enough to help his father survive, and whether his own selfish instincts led to his father's demise. He admits, "I did not weep, and it pained me that I could not weep. But I had no more tears. And, in the depths of my being, in the recesses of my weakened conscience, could I have searched it, I might perhaps have found something like - free at last!..." (Wiesel, 2006, p. 112). Elie's guilt is evident in his struggle to mourn his father's death and his longing for freedom. These conflicting emotions highlight the complex psychological trauma that survivors of the Holocaust often experience.

In conclusion, Elie's feelings after the death of his father in Night are a complex mix of relief, grief, and guilt. He experiences a sense of freedom and liberation from the burden of caring for his father, yet also feels a profound sense of loss and loneliness. Elie's conflicting emotions reflect the enduring bond between father and son, even in the face of extreme trauma. Ultimately, Elie finds strength and purpose in carrying on his father's legacy, as seen in his determination to bear witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust through his memoir. Through his writing, Elie immortalizes his father's memory and ensures that the world never forgets the horrors they endured. Indeed, Elie's journey serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and connection, even in the darkest of times.

Bibliography:

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