Figurative Language
Comparing two things symbolically using like or as is a
Simile
“Physically, he was as awkward as a clown." (Wiesel 3).
Simile
"I was the accuser, God the accused. My eyes had opened and I was alone, terribly alone in the world, without God, without Man."
Faith
What are three examples of how Jewish citizens of Sighet began to lose their rights in Section 1? Connect these examples to a theme.
1. They had to wear the star of David
2. They were put into ghettos and had to hand over their valuables
3. They were forced to load coal in military trains
4. They were forced to leave the ghettos in train cars
Theme = identity, loss, fear, humiliation
"While we had heard some talk of German military defeats on the various fronts, we were not sure if they were credible" (Wiesel 60).
CRED - believable
Explain Elie's encounter and realization with Rabbi Eliahou in section 6. Connect this scene to a theme.
Rabbi Eliahou is looking for his son in the march. Elie says that he had not seen his son, then realizes he did see the son run ahead, on purpose, away from his father. Elie prayed that he would never abandon his own father as Rabbi Eliahou's son had.
Theme = betrayal, faith, loss
Metaphor
‘My throat was dry and the words were choking me, paralyzing my lips. There was nothing else to say.” (Wiesel 15).
Personification
"From then on I became A-7713, I had no other name."
Identity
Explain how the author used foreshadowing in Section 2 with Madame Schachter. What theme can be connected to this scene?
Madame Schachter's screams act as a warning of something ominous to come: the actual flames they see and the burning flesh they smell upon their arrival to the first concentration camp.
Theme = fear
"Two boys came to join our group: Yossi and Tibi, two brothers from Czechoslovakia whose parents had been exterminated in Birkenau" (Wiesel 50).
TERM - end
In section 7, describe the horrifying scene between the father and son that Elie witnessed on the train. Connect this to a theme.
The SS officers threw bread into the train cars, starting a brawl for food. Elie witnessed a son kill his own father for a piece of bread.
Theme = humiliation, fear, identity (loss), betrayal
When non-human things are given human qualities or characteristics
Personification
“She was smiling her mournful smile as she slipped me a crust of bread. She looked straight into my eyes. I knew she wanted to talk to me but that she was paralyzed with fear” (Wiesel 53).
Oxymoron
"We did not know yet, which one was the better side, right or left, which side led to prison and which side lead to the crematorium. Still I was happy, I was with my father."
Hope
Describe the conditions Elie and the other Jews experience in Section 3 at the Synagogue and in the train. Connect these details to a theme.
At the Synagogue the altar was shattered, packed with people forbidden to go outside, men and women were separated, and there were no bathrooms.
There were 80 people on each train car, were given some bread and pails of water. They were sealed in the cars and had to stand.
Theme = fear, loss, brutality, humiliation
The evacuation was postponed to the next day.
POST - held back to a later time
What is the advice that Elie is given in section 8? What was his response? Connect the scene to a theme.
The head of the block told Elie that he should stop giving his dying father the rations they are given and should worry about himself surviving. Elie felt guilty for even thinking about doing so and continued to feed his father soup.
Theme = identity, love
Two words that contradict each other that makes sense to the situation
Oxymoron
“This conversation lasted no more than a few seconds. It seemed an eternity" (Wiesel 32).
Hyperbole
"One day when we had come to a stop, a worker took a piece of bread out of his bag and threw it into a wagon. There was a stampede. Dozens of starving men fought desperately over a few crumbs. The worker watched the spectacle with great in-terest" (Wiesel 100)
survival / humiliation
Explain the conflict between Elie, Franek, and Elie's father in Section 4. How is the conflict resolved? What theme is connected to this scene?
-Elie avoids getting his golden crown taken by the dentist by saying he is ill.
-Franek demands the crown and when Elie refuses, he torments Elie's father and takes the crown anyway with a rusty spoon.
- Theme = brutality, fear, betrayal
"The doors were nailed, the way back irrevocably cut off" (Wiesel, 24).
IR - not able to be changed; final
What was the resistance movement? What did they do? Connect this to a theme.
The resistance movement decided to act before a lethal roll call. The resistance started a battle with the SS who eventually fled, leading the American tank to arrive.
Theme = Camaderie, hope
A figure of speech that exaggerates the meaning of the sentence.
Hyperbole
"Two cauldrons of soup! Smack in the middle of the road, two cauldrons of soup with no one to guard them! A royal feast going to waste! Supreme temptation! Hundreds of eyes were looking at them, shining with desire. Two lambs with hundreds of wolves lying in wait for them. Two lambs without a shepherd, free for the taking. But who would dare?” (Wiesel 59)
Metaphor
"And I walked on with my father, with the men. I didn't know that this was the moment in time and the place where I was leaving my mother and Tzipora forever. I kept walking, my father holding my hand" (Wiesel 29).
Loss
Explain the Dutch Oberkapo and his role at the electric power station in Buna in section 5. Connect this scene to a theme.
The Dutch Oberkapo is part of a Resistance group that wanted to revolt against the Germans. They were ultimately hanged for their actions by the SS.
Theme = camaraderie, hope, loss, fear, brutality
"First edict: Jews were prohibited from leaving their residences for three days, under penally of death" (Wiesel 10).
DICT - to tell
edict: a formal or authoritative proclamation
What were the first acts of the free men?
Their main concern was to eat the provisions. They were not concerned about revenge, or even their family.