Megan Hayward
Reader Response #3 (P.85-120)
These final few chapters Knight were heartbreaking. It seemed as if before things could get better, they became much worse. Eliezer and his father had to endure the rough journey of vacating one camp and moving to another. Many people had very little food and were not able to keep up with the group. Once they finally arrived at a vacant town, they still couldn't rest. Elie recalls what his father told him about sleeping. He warns, "It's dangerous to fall asleep in snow. One falls asleep forever. Come, my son, come...Get up" (88). It is terrible how after many hours of physical activity in the frigid weather, they could not even sleep for a few hours. Elie's father is very wise. Sometimes falling asleep seems harmless, but in the snow it is deadly. This reminds me of Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer because those who were able to resist falling asleep in the snow and ice had a much higher survival rate. Both Eliezer and his father were desperate for rest, but they had enough willpower to resist the temptation. I find their determination remarkable.
Unfortunately, just a short time after arriving at the new camp, Elie's father became deathly ill and was unable to survive with his son. Even though he did die, he and his son were fighters. Even through all of their struggles, these two individuals are able to surpass the amount of time in which most people survived in these concentration camps. He describes the condition that many people were in. He explains, "I tried to distinguish between the living and those who were no more. But there was barely a difference" (98). Imagine how it must feel to look around and everyone looks as if they are on the verge of death. This can't be very motivating. However, Elie and his father somehow found the strength to continue. One quote that touched me was when he explains how far they had come. He says, "We had been a hundred or so in this wagon. Twelve of us left in it. Among them, my father and myself" (103). Wow! That is really my only reaction. It is incredible. How did they manage to survive even though they hadn't eaten in days? Would either of these two have survived if they had to endure this journey alone?
While reading the rest of Night I couldn'd help but think of Into Thin Air. Night also reminded me of the conditions in Into Thin Air.In Night Wiesel and his father had to restrain from falling asleep in the snow. It seemed that the people who fell asleep never woke up. It was very similar to Into Thin Air. On Everest the climbers had to keep climbing no matter how tired they were. If they stoped it increased their chance of getting frost bite. They had to keep moving in each book to stay alive. I agree with your comment about Wiesel and his father being remarkable. I think that they are increadibly determinated to be able to keep trying and never give up no matter what.
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