Night

Respond to questions independently or in groups of 3 to 4.


 * Study Questions**
 * Chapter 1 pp. 1-20**
 * 1) Describe Moshe, the Beadle.
 * 2) Why did Eliezer pray, and why did he cry when he prayed?
 * 3) Upon his return, what story did Moshe tell?
 * 4) Why didn’t the people believe him?
 * 5) Cite examples of how the Jewish citizens of Sighet began to lose their rights.
 * 6) What is a ghetto?
 * 7) Why did the citizens resist the truth, even when it was in front of them?
 * 8) Describe the conditions in the train (at the end of the chapter).


 * Chapter 2 - pp. 21-26**
 * 1) Explain, “our eyes were opened, but too late.” Where was the train at this point?
 * 2) What was foreshadowed by Madame Schacter’s nightmare?
 * 3) What did some of the passengers do to quiet Madame Schacter?
 * 4) Where did the train finally stop?


 * Chapter 3 - pp. 27-43**
 * 1) When questioned by the S.S. Officer, why did Elie lie about his age and occupation?
 * 2) What was the first horrifying sight that Elie at first disbelieved?
 * 3) Explain what Elie meant when he said, “Never shall I forget these flames which consumed my faith forever.”
 * 4) How had Elie changed in a short time?
 * 5) What was Elie’s first impression of Auschwitz after leaving Birkenau?
 * 6) What was the “compulsory formality” at the entrance to all camps?
 * 7) What sort of identification was used on the prisoners?
 * 8) Why was the prisoner in charge of Elie’s block removed from this position?
 * 9) What were the prisoners’ rations at each meal?
 * 10) What was Bela Katz forced to do once he was chosen for his strength?


 * Chapter 4 - pp. 45-62**
 * 1) What were the objectives of the medical examinations?
 * 2) Why were the Jewish musicians not allowed to play music by Beethoven?
 * 3) Describe one of Idek’s bouts of madness.
 * 4) How did Elie initially avoid losing his gold crown?
 * 5) Whom did Elie meet years later on the Paris Metro?
 * 6) What happened when Elie refused to give his crown to Franek? What was the end result?
 * 7) Describe the scene with the soup cauldrons.
 * 8) During one of the preliminary “ceremonies” for a hanging, what did Juliek whisper to Elie? What does this suggest?
 * 9) During one hanging, Elie and the other prisoners cried. What made this hanging different from others?


 * Chapter 5 - pp. 63-80**
 * 1) Why didn’t Elie fast on Yom Kippur?
 * 2) What advice was Elie given to pass the selection process?
 * 3) How did Elie’s father respond when he learned his name had been written down?
 * 4) What did Akiba Drumer ask the others to do for him? Did they do it?
 * 5) Why was Elie placed in the hospital?
 * 6) Why was the camp to be evacuated? What did Elie learn of the fate of those who stayed behind in the hospital?


 * Chapter 6 - pp. 81-92**
 * 1) What happened to anyone who could not keep up with the march?
 * 2) How did Zalman die?
 * 3) What horrible realization did Elie come to concerning Rabbi Eliahou and his son? How did Elie respond to this?
 * 4) What was Juliek’s last act?
 * 5) How did Elie help his father when the selection was made?


 * Chapter 7 - pp.93-98**
 * 1) How did Elie again help his father when they were on the train?
 * 2) Describe the scene Elie witnessed between the father and son.
 * 3) How many got out of the wagon? Where had they arrived?


 * Chapter 8 - pp. 99-106**
 * 1) Explain how the father/son roles had been reversed in the case of Elie and his father?
 * 2) Why was Elie’s father being beaten?
 * 3) What did Elie think of the advice given to him by the head of the block?


 * Chapter 9 - pp. 107-109**
 * 1) What happened on April 5th?
 * 2) What was the resistance movement? What did they do?
 * 3) What did the prisoners do when they were freed?