Violence In Elie Wiesel's Night

Words: 154
Pages: 1

The desensitization towards violence seen in Elie Wiesel’s Night reflects the brutality and death that were commonplace in concentration camps. During the constant trauma the Jews experienced as they watched others and were themselves publicly beaten, executed, or selected to be killed, they rapidly became less humane to survive. They quickly became absorbed with their own needs, their hunger, thirst and lack of safety leading to a lack of concern for respect and problem solving, higher level thinking that distinguishes humans from animals. After continued beatings and starvation, they quickly lost sight of even the most basic human characteristics, family and morality. In the novel, even seeing family members beaten did not trigger a response,