Night - Part 2: Identity

Night by Elie Wiesel
(The guiding questions for the novel were largely inspired by those found in the Night Study Guide published by Facing History and Ourselves, http://www.facinghistory.org/resources/publications/night)

Part 2 – Defining Identity (pages 1-20)

Explore the factors that shape Eliezer’s identity.

Consider Eliezer and his family –
Write a paragraph that addresses the following points:
• Describe Eliezer and his family.
• How does he spend his time?
• Who does he relate to most readily? Why?
• Explain Eliezer’s family’s place in the Jewish community. Be sure to address his father’s role within that community.
• List other details that seem important from this section.

Consider Moshe the Beadle –
Write a paragraph that addresses the following points:
• How does Eliezer describe Moshe the Beadle?
• Why do you think Elie Wiesel begins Night with the story of Moshe the Beadle?
• Why do most people ignore the story Moshe the Beadle wants to tell?
• Why do you think they refuse to believe Moshe when he returns to Sighet?
• Do you think people really believe that Moshe is lying to them?
• What is the difference between saying that someone is lying and saying that you cannot believe what he or she is saying?
• Why is it so important to Moshe that he be believed?
• What lessons does the narrator seem to learn from Moshe’s experiences in telling his own story?

Consider the Craft o f the Writing –
Write a paragraph that addresses the following points:
• Why do you think Elie Wiesel tells his story in the first person perspective? If Night were written in the third person, would it be more or less believable?
• The word night is a key word in this section of the book. What does the word mean early in the first chapter? How does the meaning change as the story progresses?
• The narrator from time to time breaks away from the story to tell the
• reader about something that happened later or to ask a question.
• Why do you think he has chosen to do so? How is he preparing you for the rest of the story?