The Night novel has vast number of characters who spread about various aspects of responsibility. The Novel’s writer is one of the characters in the book and plays key roles in the the story. Eliezer as the author, narrator and at the same time one of the characters in the novel he plays a key position in the plot. This makes him the natural choice for a character analysis for the novel.
The Night’s narrator and main character is named Eliezer Wiesel, but everyone usually calls him Elie. The Nazi’s took him to a concentration camp when he was only a teenager. He is devoutly Jewish and fascinated by Jewish mysticism. The Nazis separated him from his mother and sister at the camp. However, Eliezer and his father manage to stay close and they support each other at first, sharing rations and looking out for each other. The harsh reality of camp life brings out Ellie’s self preservation instincts and he does not always take care of his father the way he thinks he should. As he becomes more concerned with avoiding the brutality find food he expects his father to do the same for himself without support from him. His father dies before the liberation but survives long enough to witness the death camps. Finally, a few months before liberation of the concentration camps Eliezer’s foot swells from the walking to escape the Nazi brutality and the constant cold conditions. Because of this needs to undergo a surgical operation.
As a young boy in Sighet, Transsylvania Wiesel was passionate about his religious faith. Before the war and interment, he studied his faith deeply and explored its mysteries. Although this was never extinguished during his time in the camps it does change and evolve as his devotion is shaken. This experience in life makes him doubt his faith and the existence of God.
Work Cited
Wiesel, Elie. Night: Bantam Books, Robert Mcafee Brown edition.1982
