Mary  "Night" Reader Response #1

              “Night” has an interesting effect on me. I really appreciate what Elie Wiesel is doing and how it difficult it is for his to find a reason for his writing. Personally, I like the book, not because I find it enjoyable, but because it helps repay a great debt. However, the events that occur in the book are difficult and almost heartbreaking to hear, which makes it very difficult for me to write about this book and not feel terrible. I find it difficult to put to words what goes through my mind when I read “Night”. Why? How? What could make someone want to do something like this to others? And how could so many not see the terrible treatment of those around them? People have the power to do marvelous things and influence the world in remarkable ways. And yet, they can also do the opposite. But why would we want to? I feel so torn about diving back into the horrors that those first couple of day in Auschwitz must have been. How is it possible to allow such degradation of yourself so completely that you don’t even care to reflect on your family or past life? It’s like you become…animalistic.