Night

What events can suddenly change the course of a person's life?
There are many things that can alter the course of a persons life. For example the earth quake and tsunami in Japan. Many people are homeless, and they don't even know where they will get there next meal. Another thing that could change your life is protests against your country's government. Like in Lybia. They have to worry about being killed by their own military. Any natural disaster can change your life. You could be in a car crash tomorrow and be paralyzed.

Extending your response
Discuss the different plans community leaders could make to save the Jews.

There are many ways to escape Hitler and his nazis. The most effective one would probably be to leave in the middle of the night. You could develope something like the underground railroad. The community leaders could have also organized a rebellion. If they could organize a big enough revolt they could possibly buy enough time to escape. If they knew what we knew today they could've just left Germany before or right after the war started.

Focus Activity
How have you reacted when faced with danger?

When faced with danger I can keep my self calm and collected. Like when my dad clushed his elbow I remained calm and helped my mom. Another time i had to help was when my mom tore more cartalige in her knee. I was little but i still remained calm and helped my dad with whatever he needed. When I was hit by the car I did not panic I stayed calm and let the EMTs do whatever they needed to do.

Should the prisoners fast?
The prisoners should not fast. They are already half dead, and they cannot afford to not eat. Most people are basically fasting anyway.The prisoners starve everyday. Also the rule is that only healthy people should fast, and not one is healthy enough to fast. If they don't eat they will only be weaker, and they they don't have a chance to pass selection. If they fast they will die faster.

Describe a time when you felt hopeless.
One time I felt hope less was when I was hit by a car. I had to get five surgeries on my leg, and I was in a wheel chair for the whole summer. When your a little kid it feels like the world is coming to an end. I would cry and throw hissy fits. I tried to make my parents as miserable as I was. (Which I now know they didn't need.) It was something I had to over come, and I actually had some fun that summer.

Differences in Language
Describe the difference in language and vocab in chapters 6-9 and 1-5.

In chapters 6 through 9 the language is much more somber and hopeless. In chapters 1 through 5 the people still have hope they are more cheerful and the language shows strong determination. As the story progresses the language becomes darker. In the whole book there is some hope still. Some people are still fighting to survive.

Writing About the Memoir
Write a critic's review of the book

Night by Ellie Weisel is an heart breaking tale of his experiences during the Holocaust. In this story Ellie and his family are sent to a concentration camp. After the first camp only he and his father survive. During the book Ellie and his father must fight to stay alive as they go from camp to camp. Conditions are horrible, and the fight to stay alive is more important than anything else. Ellie fights until the end, but his father is not so lucky. This memoir is so effective because it's a real story not some chart or statistic. It really hits home becuase you see things from a survivors point of view. The power of one voice is so much more effective than a list of statistics. It is so much easier to relate with because you can see what he felt like. The story has life. This story is so painful to read becuase these people have been pushed so far they are willing to give up their families just survive. It breaks your heart to see people treating each other like animals.