Victimization Response

As you watch the film, answer these questions in your small groups. In order for the group to get credit, each group member must participate.

Day 1:

• Describe how the rights of Jewish people were gradually taken away in the film.
• Describe how the treatment of Jewish people gradually got worse and worse.
• Why did Wladyslaw Szpilman and his brother refuse to become part of the Jewish police?

Day 2:

• Describe the scene that awaited Szpilman as he walked back through the Warsaw ghetto after nearly all Jewish people were transported out. What was he seeing? What must he have been feeling?
• Describe the scene when Vladyslaw left with his group to repair the wall outside the ghetto. How were the people outside of the ghetto living? How is the treatment of Jewish people affecting those living outside of the ghetto? Why is this important?
• Describe the revolt in the Warsaw ghetto. Why is it important? How does the result of the revolt help to explain why Jewish people didn't fight back too often during the Holocaust?

Day 3:

• This story is called a story of survival. Clearly, Night is also a story of survival. There is a link between victimization and struggling to survive. How does victimization force people into "survival mode"? How do people act when all they think about is survival? What do people sacrifice in order to survive? What do Eliezer and Wladyslaw sacrifice in order to survive? What does a constant state of "survival mode" do to the human spirit?
• Think about your group's response to the last question. Think of other people who are put in to the situation of "survival mode". What kind of people are in "survival mode" today? What people do you know who are in "survival mode"? How does a constant state of "survival mode" limit peoples' ability to improve their lives; to learn; to love?