Night

Questions for the Reflection Paper:

In writing a paper on Night, you will need to use these questions as a starting point for developing you own thesis about the book.

1. How would you react if you were caught up in a disaster the scope of the Holocaust?

2. If you have ever suffered a personal tragedy, or know someone who has, can you recall your (or his/her) reactions to it? Are there any similarities to Night? Is it possible that the Holocaust should be seen as different in kind from the tragedies common to human life?

3. How great a tragedy would it take to lead you to question the goodness of God?

4. What happens to Eliezers understanding of God as the story ofNight develops?

5. How does Eliezers relation to his father change during the story? Is this change in any way related to his understanding of God (see above)? How does he react to his fathers death?

6. What does the scene at the mirror at the end suggest about what has happened to Eliezer during the story?

7. What do Wiesels remarks (see pp. 2-3) about man questions God suggest about Judaisms attitude toward God? Are they in any way ironic in light of the story?

8. What does Night suggest about the problem of being a survivor?

9. Was Wiesel justified in his change of attitude toward God? Why do bad things happen to good people? What resources does religion provide for dealing with such situations?