Kris Scheller
Adv. Comp.
2/15/01
Literary Analysis
All by Myself
In the novel Night, an autobiography by Elie Wiesel, he tells how the horrific encounters during the battle for survival effects a person. These encounters are enough to drive anyone to death, but not everyone has the heart of Elie Wiesel. The actions of fellow inmates, guards, and family members are enough to negatively affect Elie. The gloomy conditions of the camps and the bland surroundings can only assist in the destruction of his life.
Just stripping someone from their home or family can change anyone dramatically. Taking Elie from his home started the beginning of his road to misery. At the beginning of the novel, the family learned that they would be transported in a few days to a place they’ve never seen or probably even heard of. The jam-packed ride to Birkenau could have only sent chills down through Elie’s body, knowing this was only the start of what could become. The screams of Madame Schachter just made the crammed ride into a tiny, overcrowded vehicle worse. “Jews, look! Look through the window! Flames! Look!” (25). Seeing adult men hit her to the brink of death only terrified Elie even more.
