Indifference in Elie Wiesel's Night: a Reflection on Human Cruelty

In Elie Wiesel's memoir Night, the author recounts his harrowing experiences as a young Jewish boy during the Holocaust. Throughout the text, the theme of indifference emerges as a powerful force that perpetuates human cruelty. Indifference, the act of not caring or showing concern, is a recurring motif that Wiesel uses to depict the atrocities committed against the Jews and the world's apathetic response to their suffering. This essay will explore the various instances of indifference in Night, analyzing their implications and shedding light on the broader implications of human cruelty. By examining key examples of indifference in the text, we can gain a deeper understanding of the devastating consequences that result from a lack of empathy and action.

One of the most striking examples of indifference in Night is seen in the behavior of the German soldiers. These individuals, who were responsible for carrying out the brutal acts of the Holocaust, demonstrated a complete lack of empathy towards their victims. For instance, when the Jews were herded into cattle cars like animals, the soldiers showed no concern for their well-being. They callously ignored the cries for help and the desperate pleas for mercy. This indifference not only allowed the soldiers to carry out their cruel actions, but it also dehumanized the Jews, reducing them to mere objects of hatred and violence.

Evidence from the text: "The doors of the train were closed. We were packed in like herrings in a barrel...The doors were nailed up; the way back was finally cut off. The world was a cattle wagon hermetically sealed" (Wiesel 23).

Analysis: The use of the metaphor "herrings in a barrel" highlights the dehumanizing effect of the soldiers' indifference. By comparing the Jews to animals, Wiesel emphasizes the complete disregard for their humanity. This indifference allows the soldiers to carry out their atrocities without remorse or accountability.

Another instance of indifference in Night is the world's response to the plight of the Jews. As news of the Holocaust spread, many countries and individuals chose to turn a blind eye to the suffering. This indifference is exemplified by the failure to provide aid or asylum to the Jewish refugees. Despite the overwhelming evidence of the atrocities, the world remained largely indifferent, allowing the Holocaust to continue unabated.

Evidence from the text: "Our minds numb with indifference...We were counting the days, the hours, and the minutes" (Wiesel 32).

Analysis: The use of the phrase "minds numb with indifference" highlights the apathy that permeated society at the time. This indifference not only allowed the Holocaust to persist, but it also perpetuated the suffering of the Jews. The world's inaction had dire consequences, as countless lives were lost due to this indifference.

Even within the concentration camps, indifference was a prevalent attitude among the prisoners. As they struggled to survive in the face of unimaginable cruelty, many prisoners became indifferent to the suffering of others. This self-preservation instinct often led to a lack of solidarity and empathy, further perpetuating the cycle of indifference.

Evidence from the text: "The days were like nights, and the nights left the dregs of their darkness in our souls...And we, the Jews of Sighet, were waiting for better days, which would not come" (Wiesel 76).

Analysis: The use of the metaphor "dregs of their darkness" illustrates the lasting impact of indifference on the prisoners' souls. The constant exposure to cruelty and suffering led to a sense of hopelessness and indifference towards their own fate and the fate of others. This indifference, born out of self-preservation, ultimately weakened the prisoners' collective resistance and made them more susceptible to further abuse.

In Elie Wiesel's Night, the theme of indifference emerges as a powerful force that perpetuates human cruelty. Through the lens of the German soldiers, the world's response, and the prisoners themselves, the devastating consequences of indifference become evident. This memoir serves as a stark reminder of the importance of empathy and action in the face of injustice. By exploring the various instances of indifference in Night, we gain a deeper understanding of the profound impact that apathy can have on individuals and society as a whole. It is a call to action, urging us to confront indifference and strive for a world in which empathy and compassion prevail.