Right off of the bat, I get a sense of what kind of life Eliezer lives. He lives in an area named Sighet, which is densely populated with Jews. He lives with his mother, father and three sisters. This town/community faced much hatred from the Germans. However, there were a few people in the community that exemplified the strength of the Jewish people According to the book, Eliezer’s father was a very unsentimental man. Although he did not show much emotion at home, he was highly revered in his community.
It seems as though Eliezer was a “preacher’s son”, where his father was an important figure in his society, and he was supposed to follow his example and lead. However, I soon learned that Elie found his own path in the Jewish sect of Cabala. Immediately, his father was disappointed with Elie’s decision. I agree with Elie’s decision because he was trying to create his own view of the world without heavy influence from his parents.
It seems as though Eliezer was a “preacher’s son”, where his father was an important figure in his society, and he was supposed to follow his example and lead. However, I soon learned that Elie found his own path in the Jewish sect of Cabala. Immediately, his father was disappointed with Elie’s decision. I agree with Elie’s decision because he was trying to create his own view of the world without heavy influence from his parents.
As far as faith goes, the reader could already see that his mentor was Moshe the Beadle, until he was arrested. I feel like this was where the sense of being able to ask for help from a higher power diminished. Shortly into the book (around page 4), I was getting depressed. The Jewish people became the scapegoat for the unhappiness of the Germans and that aspect was highlighted quite obviously. For example, throwing babies up into the air and shooting them as machine gun targets. It was actually painful to read, I even felt tears coming on.
I was not shocked because I have read about the horrors of the Holocaust; however, imagine watching your own child or sibling hurled in the air, only to be shot by a sniper or machine gun.
I was not shocked because I have read about the horrors of the Holocaust; however, imagine watching your own child or sibling hurled in the air, only to be shot by a sniper or machine gun.
One moment in the story that angered me was during Passover when Jewish community leaders were arrested. They were not criminals; they were simply trying to enjoy a religiously important holiday, which was ruined. Even criminals deserve more respect than what those people faced every day. Elie made a remark that this moment was a turning point, “the race towards death had begun” (8). This was the beginning of the death threats, the inability to leave home, and the raiding of the homes began.
Isolating the Jewish people was actually one of the German's biggest weapons. According to an article about the Jewish resistance (Introduction to The Holocaust,) the Jewish people were unable to band together, or even get necessary help from others for a long time. I do not understand how the Gestapo and the German police officers did not see how wrong their actions were. Could they not imagine their own family in the same position? So far, this book is very depressing and painful to read.
Isolating the Jewish people was actually one of the German's biggest weapons. According to an article about the Jewish resistance (Introduction to The Holocaust,) the Jewish people were unable to band together, or even get necessary help from others for a long time. I do not understand how the Gestapo and the German police officers did not see how wrong their actions were. Could they not imagine their own family in the same position? So far, this book is very depressing and painful to read.
"Introduction to the Holocaust." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Holocaust Museum, 2011. Web. 11 Feb 2012.
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