THEMES AND SYMBOLS IN THEMES AND SYMBOLS IN ELIE WIESEL’S ELIE WIESEL’S

NIGHTNIGHT

THEME #1THEME #1

STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN A FAITH IN A STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN A FAITH IN A MERCIFUL GODMERCIFUL GOD

Hard to believe in a just GodHard to believe in a just God

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Wiesel struggles to believe in a just God Wiesel struggles to believe in a just God throughout the book when he sees so throughout the book when he sees so much crueltymuch cruelty

THEME # 2THEME # 2

SILENCESILENCEOf God and the victimsOf God and the victims

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Particularly the silence of God throughout Particularly the silence of God throughout the whole ordeal. the whole ordeal.

Also the silence of the victims and lack of Also the silence of the victims and lack of resistanceresistance

THEME # 3THEME # 3

INHUMANITY TOWARDS OTHER INHUMANITY TOWARDS OTHER HUMAN BEINGSHUMAN BEINGSOf both Nazis and prisoners to each otherOf both Nazis and prisoners to each other

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Not only of the Nazis but the cruelty his Not only of the Nazis but the cruelty his fellow prisoners inflict upon each otherfellow prisoners inflict upon each other

THEME # 4THEME # 4

THE IMPORTANCE OF FATHER-SON THE IMPORTANCE OF FATHER-SON BONDSBONDS

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The relationship between Elie and his The relationship between Elie and his father changes throughout the memoir.father changes throughout the memoir.

SYMBOL #1SYMBOL #1

FIRE= Cruel power of NazisFIRE= Cruel power of Nazis

SYMBOL #2SYMBOL #2

NIGHT=absence of GodNIGHT=absence of God

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Darkness and Night symbolize a world Darkness and Night symbolize a world without God’s presencewithout God’s presence