Chapter Three
Elie and his father need to lie about their ages in this section. What did their fellow inmate tell them to say?
He said to say that they are 18 and 40
When Elie and his dad make the four-hour walk from Auschwitz to Buna, they are inspected. What do the guards find?
Elie has a gold tooth.
What holiday is being celebrated in Chapter 5. Why doesn't Elie want to pray and participate?
Rosh Hashanah is a New Year celebration. He cannot find a reason to praise and bless God in the midst of so much suffering.
What is Rosh Hashanah? Why is it important to Jews?
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year. It is also celebrated as the day when God created humanity and begins 10 days of prayer.
What happened to the dentist that wanted to pull Elie's gold tooth?
the dentist is condemned to hanging for illegally trading in gold teeth.
When Elie and his dad have to lie what were their actual ages?
15 and 50
When the story flashes forward in Chapter 4, Elie sees a French woman that he recognizes. Who was she?
When Idek, the crazy, violent Kapo in charge of Eliezer’s work crew savagely beat Eliezer., the French girl who works next to Eliezer in the warehouse offers some small kindness and comfort.
What camp were Elie and his father in during this part of the story?
The Buna work camp
What is Yom Kippur and why is it important to Jews?
om Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is known as the holiest day of the Jewish year. It is the day Jews ask one another for forgiveness.
What job was Elie given at the warehouse in chapter four?
He has to count electrical fittings in a civilian warehouse.
Who is Dr. Mengele and why do the Jews call him "The Angel of Death?"
He was the evil doctor who made the selections to decide who lived, died, or would be human experiments.
Who is Idek and what did he do to Elie and why?
Idek was the Kapo with the terribel temper. He beat Elie because Elie saw him having relations with a girl in the barracks.
Why did some people decide to fast and not to fast on Yom Kippur? Why did Elie decide not to?
Some people did not want to because they were starving, yet some wanted to show their devotion. Elie did not fast, because his father told him not to.
What is Hanukkah and why is it important?
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday which celebrates the victory of the Maccabees. They had only enough oil for one day, but a miracle of God had the lights burn for 8 days and nights.
Who was Mr. Stein. What can we assume happened to him and his family?
Mr. Stein is a distant cousin. Eliezer lies to Stein, telling him that his family is fine. The reader can assume he realized they were dead, gave up hope, and died.
Why does the guard for beat Elie's father and why is Elie mad?
Idek beats Elie's father with an iron bar, because he thought he was walking too slowly. Elie is angry at his father, because his father did not know how to avoid Idek's rage.
What was Elie afraid of after his foot surgery? Why?
He was afraid that he had his foot amputated. If this happened, he could be up for selection and killed
Why does Shlomo bring Eliezer his knife and spoon and say it his son’s only inheritance?
Shlomo is getting weaker and may not survive another selection.
What is Purim and why is it important?
Purim is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the miraculous events told in the Book of Esther.
What did Elie do when his father was slapped down right in front of him?
Elie did not do anything.
Define cruel irony of the warning sign of the electrical fence andwhat Elie thought when he saw it?
He thought that running into the fence would be better than a slow death in flames.
Why does the Hungarian Jewish prisoner in the hospital tell Elie to get out as soon as possible?
People who stayed too long in the hospital were chosen for selection.
Why is Elie worrie dabout his struggles with his faith in God?
Inmates, like Akiba Drumer, who lose hope and faith often become to sick too work, and are chosen for selection. Elie is upset, because he realizes that hope is important to survival.
What are the two most important holidays in the Jewish calendar?
Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah
Elie meets Juliek, a Jewish violinist, and the brothers Yosi and Tibi, who are zionists. What is a Zionist?
Zionism is a Jewish movement that arose in response to growing anti-Semitism. One of its primary goals was to re-establish Israel as a Jewish homeland in Palestine.