Learning Activity 3: Tracking the character of Elie Wiesel How does he change?

From interment to liberation

Task 1: Listen to the audio recording of Night
Task 2: Track the presentation of the characters of Elie Wiesel through his memoir
Aim: To discover and note the characters transformation in depth.
For example:
Is it a physical, emotional, philosophical or spiritual transformation? What beliefs change? What were his values
and how are they challenged? What remains of his faith? Note his views on humanity, his community, his faith and
family, politics, the international community, the importance of the human spirit and his world views both before
and after liberation. Any discussion or tracking of his transformation must consider his changes in depth and on
many different levels spiritually, politically emotionally, philosophical views both on a personal and global level.
For example note his views on the role of innocence and how he depicts himself at the beginning what might he
be suggesting about himself and his family on the eve of their incarnation? What are his views on indifference and
loyalty? NO doubt Elie quickly alters from a 15 year old boy - lost of his childhood to an overwhelming emptiness
of a man well beyond his years. Yet any discussion of his transformation must attest to the formidable challenges
to his personal and world views and in turn the formation of new values. Most notable are his values unearthed on
the dangers of indifference and the role of innocence in his community.

Aspects of the memoir or

focus point
( moment that provides a
vivid picture of the
character of Elie?)

Elie is preoccupied with his

religion and finding a master
in Sighet
He is ignorant to the changes
around him- concentrating on
his faith

Text reference/quote
- words, phrases, imagery,
symbolism from the play that
detail, present information
about Elies character

the deportees were soon

forgotten
I continued to devote myself to
my studies
Hitler will not be able to harm us,
even if he wants to

What is the implied

meaning?

Explanation What am I
explaining?

Go behind the
word/phrases/imagery/sym
bolism to break down
their implied meaning

- What the implied meanings

suggest about how Elie has
changed?

The implied meaning

demonstrates the early version
of Wiesel. One which will
strongly juxtapose with the Elie
we see at the conclusion. We
see the theme of ignorance
and denial- which leads him to
his end fate.
The image of faith is also one
which will continue- setting the
character up as someone with
strong faith which will be
tested.

- The suggestion here is that Elie is

like most other boys of his age
He has things he concentrates on
and seems distracted and busy with
life in Sighet.
We see a boy, family and
community ignorant to a war that
rages on beyond his home.