Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): The doctors
Why are Jewish doctors working in the infirmary instead of German or Polish ones? Is this a good or bad things for the prisoners? For the doctors?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): Reason for Selection
Was Akiba Drumer chosen for selection because he lost his faither? Explain whwy or why not. Wiesel 76 or 73)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Chapter 9 (pages 113-5): the mirror
Who was the corpse in the mirror? What does it tell you?
Respond to: "The look in his eyes as he gazed at me has never left me."
What do you think Elie was feeling?
Respond to: "The look in his eyes as he gazed at me has never left me."
What do you think Elie was feeling?
Chapter 9 (pages 113-5): Last decisions
What had the Nazis decided to do with the prisoners at Buchenwald? How effective was the plan?
Chapter 8 (pages 104-12): Move!
When Elie screams at his father to get up and nmove away from the corpses, with whom is Elie arguing?
Chapter 7 (pages 98-103): Arrival
There were 100 men on the train bound for Buchenwald. How many actually arrived alive?
Chapter 7 (pages 98-103): the Journey
Describe the train journey. How is it the same or different from the first train journey Elie and his father take?
Chapter 7 (pages 98-103): "I like to give charity."
Why does Elie ask the Parisian woman to please not throw any coins? Of what is he being reminded? How does he feel? How do you feel?
Chapter 6 (pages 85-97): Gleiwitz
How long did the prisoners stay in Gleiwitz? What happened there?
What would have happened had they stayed in Auschwitz?
What would have happened had they stayed in Auschwitz?
Chapter 6 (pages 85-97): Fathers and Sons
Why does Elie pray, "Oh God, Master of the Universe, give me the strength never to do what Rabbi Eliahu's son has done" (90 or 92?)'
What did Rabbi Eliahu's son do? Why? What is Elie afraid of?
What did Rabbi Eliahu's son do? Why? What is Elie afraid of?
Chapter 6 (pages 85-97): Death March
Describe the march from Buna/Auschwitz to Gleiwitz.
If you saw "One Survivor Remembers," how is it the same or different?
If you saw "One Survivor Remembers," how is it the same or different?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): "We were men . . ."
What is meant by "So we were men after all?" (84 or 86)
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): Hitler kept his promises . . .
Respond to the prisoner in the infirmary who told Elie, "I have more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. He alone has kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people."
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): The clock striking 12.
Why do Elie and his father decide to leave the camp and not stay behind? What is happening?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): "Do you trust me?"
Describe Elie's experiences in the hospital. Did they surprise you? Why or why not?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): White sheets
"They put me in a bed with white sheets. I had forgotten that people slept in sheets."
Explain the significance of that quote. What does it tell us about life in the camps, the physical and psychological conditions for the prisoners?
Explain the significance of that quote. What does it tell us about life in the camps, the physical and psychological conditions for the prisoners?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): Strength
Elie wrote that man was stronger than God. Why did he feel that way? Does it make sense to you? Do you think you can understand his feelings? What would you tell him?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): A Gift
What is significant or poignant about the half ration of bread Elie's father gives him as a gift?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): Selection
Explain "Selection."
How do the prisoners respond? What do they do? What is the result for Elie and his father?
How do the prisoners respond? What do they do? What is the result for Elie and his father?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): Tone
Many of the lines in this chapter are sarcastic in tone. Copy one here and comment on it. Explain why you think sarcasm is an appropriate tone (or not appropriate) in this instance.
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): a void
Ellie says, "Deep inside me, I felt a great void opening" (69 or 72?)
What does he mean? Why do you think it is happening?
What does he mean? Why do you think it is happening?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): Elie's Response
How does Elie express his feelings? How and why is this significant?
Chapter 5 (pages 66-84): Jewish tradition
What is Rosh Hashanah? What is the kadish? What is Yom Kippur?
How significant are these days in Judaism?
How significant are these days in Judaism?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): "Where is God?"
How is the prisoners' faither in God changing? What does the answer mean, "This is where -- hanging here from this gallows . . . "
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): The soup tasted . . .
After the hanging of the Polish boy and the death of the old man at the soup cauldron, Elie said, "The soup tasted better than ever . . ." (63 or 65)
After the hanging of the "pipel, the sad-eyed angel," Elie said, "That night, the soup tasted of corpses."
What was the difference?
After the hanging of the "pipel, the sad-eyed angel," Elie said, "That night, the soup tasted of corpses."
What was the difference?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): The hangings
Explain how Elie reacted to the two hangings -- the dentist and the young Polish boy.
How and why were the reactions different?
How and why were the reactions different?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): The only victim
Who was the only victim of the bombing of the Buna factories? Why? What was your reaction?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): "Only the first really hurt."
When Elie was whipped by the Kapo, he said that "Only the first really hurt." Why?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): Roles are changing
How are the traditional roles of father (or parent) and son changing since Elie and his father arrived in camp? What does this tell you about family relationships in the camps? What does this tell you about Elie and his father?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): "You old loafer!"
When Elie's father was attacked by Idek, Elie becomes angry at his father for not knowing how to avoid Idek's anger (Wiesel 52 or 54). How is Elie changing since he has become a prisoner?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): "I was nothing but a body."
What does Elie's reaction to the dentist and his fate tell you about Elie? Is Elie changing? How? Why?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): Redemption
"Akiba Drumer had discovered a verse from the Bible which, translated into numbers, made it possible for him to predict Redemption in the weeks to come" (Wiesel 51 or 48, depending on version).
What do you think this means in terms of the story? How important is it to Elie's story? Why do you think this is one of the details Elie remembers?
What do you think this means in terms of the story? How important is it to Elie's story? Why do you think this is one of the details Elie remembers?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): A-7713
What did the "A" stand for? Why was it important for the Nazis to refer to the prisoners as numbers?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): Blockaelteste
Why do you think it was it good to have a Jew as your leader? (page 51 or 48, depending on edition)
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): Moving
What do you think is the importance of forcing the prisoners to take showers as they move from camp to camp?
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- The gates
The last sentence of this chapter is: "The iron gates closed behind us."
How does the shortness and simplicity of this sentence add to its meaning? What is its meaning?
How does the shortness and simplicity of this sentence add to its meaning? What is its meaning?
Chapter 4 (pages 47-65): Shoes
Why did Eli refuse to give up his shoes? What was ironic about his refusal?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- "Me, I'm not hungry"
List some of the acts of kindness in this chapter. CM students, be sure to include these on your chart. Don't forget page numbers!
Chapter 3 -- Teeth
Why were the Nazis so interested in the teeth of the prisoners?
What decisions did Elie make about his teeth that may have large consequences later?
How does Elie's reponse to the death of the dentist demonstrate how he (Elie) is changing?
What decisions did Elie make about his teeth that may have large consequences later?
How does Elie's reponse to the death of the dentist demonstrate how he (Elie) is changing?
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- Other prisoners
What other group also help prisoner and targeted by the Nazis does Wiesel talk about?
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- Changes II
How is Elie's relationship with his father changing? Remember to be specific and give examples.
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- Changes
Discuss:
"I too had become a different person. The student of Talmud, the child I was, had been consumed by the flames. All that was left was a shape that resembled me. My sould had been invaded -- and devoured -- by a black flame" (37).
"I too had become a different person. The student of Talmud, the child I was, had been consumed by the flames. All that was left was a shape that resembled me. My sould had been invaded -- and devoured -- by a black flame" (37).
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- Too healthy?
What were the consequences of being considered among the strongest and healthiest? How is this ironic?
The Kapos
Wiesel makes note of the special cruelty inflicted upon him, his father, and others by some of the Kapos. Discuss those occasions here.
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- Never . . .
Which of the things Wiesel says he will never forget (34) is the most impactful for you? Why?
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- fire or . . .
What does Elie decide to do instead of going to the flames? Does he do it? Why or why not?
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- "I pinched myself"
What did Wiesel see that made him pinch himself to see if he were dreaming? How do you think you would react?
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- "Poor devils"
Who are the people who repeatedly tell Elie and his father what to say? Are they the same people who tell them they will die in the flames? Who are they?
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- Sleep . . .
Wiesel writes in parentheses: (Is it any wonder that ever since then, sleep tends to elude me?)
To what is he referring? Why can't he sleep? What is he telling us about his life since Auschwitz?
To what is he referring? Why can't he sleep? What is he telling us about his life since Auschwitz?
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- Auschwitz-Birkenau
Reflect on Wiesel's description of his and his family's arrival at Auschwitz with the pictures you saw.
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) Reflection
What did you find especially ironic or disturbing about this chapter?
Chapter 2 (pages 23-8) -- Your reflection
What impacted you in this chapter? What picture can you not get out of your mind?
Chapter 3 (pages 29-46) -- Arrival
Describe the Wiesel family's arrival in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Select one member of the family and write what you think he/she is feeling/thinking.
Chapter 2 (pages 23-8) -- Mrs. Schaechter
Who is Mrs. Schaechter? What does she see? How are her "visions" ironic? What other character does she remind you of?
Chapter 2 (pages 23-8) -- Interpreting
On page 23, Wiesel says "We realized then that we were not staying in Hungary. Our eyes opened. Too late."
What did he mean? How do the short sentences and the sentence fragment add to the meaning?
What did he mean? How do the short sentences and the sentence fragment add to the meaning?
Chapter 2 (pages 23-8) -- Control
How did the Nazi officer make sure no one would try to escape? How was this the same or different from what the Hungarian police did in Chapter 1?
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) -- the Transport
How many people were in each cattle car? How did the Hungarian police guarantee no one would escape?
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) -- The Future
From what you know about the Holocaust, what was happening to Wiesel and his family? Where were they going? Why?
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) -- The Police
Describe the actions of the Hungarian police. What is the only link that remains between Wiesel and them today?
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) -- What was he thinking?
What do you think Elie is feeling/thinking on page 17 as he watches everyone leave the ghetto? You may respond to this question as if you were Elie and you are writing a journal entry.
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) Warnings
Elie's father had a friend who promised to warn them of danger. Did he? What happened? How is it ironic?
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) "Ruled by delusion?"
Wiesel wrote, "The ghetto was ruled by neither German nor Jew; it was ruled by delusion" (12). What does he mean? Didn't the Jewish Council (das Juden rat) govern the ghetto?
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) "The yellow star? It's not lethal."
Elie's father remains optimistic, even after the Jews are made to wear the yellow Star of David. He says, "The yellow star? So what? It's not lethal." What does Wiesel mean when he says to his father (in parentheses), "Poor Father! Of what then did you die?" (see page 11)
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) Possible escape?
What are some of the signals or signs that Elie's father and family didn't pay attention to that could have saved them from ghetto and Auschwitz?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) -- What would you do? Part 2
Imagine you are living in the village. The Nazi's come in and giveyou 15 minutes to pack your life into one bag not weighing more than 20 pounds. What would you take and why?
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) -- What would you do?
Pretend you are a Jewish child of your age in the village? What do you think you would be thinking? Doing? Write what you might write in a diary or journal.
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) -- Decisions
What are some of the decisions people made that determined whether they lived or died? Please list only one so other people can post here, too! You can add on to what someone else said, but please don't just repeat someone else's post in other words.
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) -- Moishe the Beadle
What did Moishe try to tell the Jews of Sighet? How was his news received?
Chapter 1 (pages 3-22) -- Elie as a boy . . .
Where does Eli live as a boy?
How important is religion to Eli as a boy? What are his ambitions?
How does this change when the Nazis come to his village?
How important is religion to Eli as a boy? What are his ambitions?
How does this change when the Nazis come to his village?
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