Chp 1
What do the candles symbolize?
Loss of hope, changing times,
What are the conditions on the Jews’ train journey?
Inhumane, horrible, they are stuffed like animals with no bathrooms, food or water
What happens to the prisoners’ identities during their first few days at the camp?
They are given numbers as new names, their heads are shaven, their clothes are taken aways
Why were the guards being “extra nice” to the young boys?
The boys were being abused in the camps
What town/city does Weisel live in?
Sighet, part of Autria-Hungary
At first, how do the Jews react to Madame Schachter's behavior?
They try to ignore her or calm her down
How did many of the prisoners "keep the faith" even though they are going through hell?
Many kept reciting the prayer for the dead
What is Elie asked to give up?
His gold crown
Who says this?
“‘They take me for a madman,’ he would whisper, and tears, like drops of wax, flowed from his eyes” (5)
Moishe
After attempting politely, how do the Jews escalate their reaction to Madame Schachter's behavior?
They start to hit and yell at her
What do Wiesel and his dad tell their relative Stein?
They lie to Stein about his family and claim his family is alive.
What does Elie catch the Idek the Kommando doing? What happened to Elie as a result?
He caught Idek with a girl and was beaten/whipped for it.
How is foreshadowing the fate of the people leaving shown? Find a quote or a specific words.
WORDS: abandoned street, the dead, empty houses, the gardens, the tombstones...
Description of people leaving on page 14
What connection might there be between Madame Schachter's treatment on the train and possible future events in the concentration camp?
The treatment shows the inhumanity and lack of empathy that will occur. It also foreshadows how the Jewish people will be forced to carry out evil deeds of their oppressors
What does Elie make sure happen to him and his dad at the camp?
Elie makes sure that he is put in the same block as his dad.
What is the one positive memory Elie has?
He remembers a girl who whispered kind words to him
What is the significance of Wiesel repeatedly mentioning night?
It foreshadows and emphasizes the dangerous events that take will take place.
Explain, “our eyes were opened, but too late.” Where was the train at this point?
The people realized that the flames and death camps were real. They had arrived at Birkenau
What internal conflict does Wiesel have in this chapter?
He feels guilty for not standing up to his father. He feels angry at God for the conditions.
Why did the man who was publicly sentenced for stealing soup bother Elie so much?
Elie was losing hope in the war and in humanity because the prisoner conditions were so bad.