Night, by Ellie Wiesel, is a dramatic book that tells the horror and evil of the .
concentration camps in which many were imprisoned during World War II. Throughout .
the book, author Ellie Wiesel, as well as many prisoners, lost their faith in God. There are .
many examples in the beginning of Night where people are trying to keep and strengthen .
their faith, but there are many more examples of people rebelling against God and .
forgetting their religion. .
.
The first time of Elie's faith weakened when he arrives at Auschwitz. Elie and his .
father are directed to go to the left. A prisoner then informs them that they are on their .
way to the crematory. Elie's father recites the Kaddish or prayer for the dead. Revolt rises .
up inside of Elie and he questions God. "Why should I bless His name? The Eternal, .
lord of the Universe, the All-Powerful and Terrible, was silent. What had I to thank Him .
for?" (Wiesel 31). His shock of the horror awaiting his father and him is a blow to his .
faith. .
.
Another example of prisoners in the concentration camp losing their faith in Night .
is when the Pipel, a young child, is hung in front of the whole camp. Even though most .
Pipels were cruel and hated, this one had the face of a sad angel and was loved by all. .
The Oberkapo was suspected in the intentional explosion of Buna's electric power .
station. He was transferred to Auschwitz but the Pipel was left behind because he refuses .
to talk . Two other men were also accused. Two other men were also hung. The two .
adults died instantly but the Pipel was too light and stayed alive for a half an hour. .
"He was still alive when I passed in front of him. His tongue was still red, his eyes were .
not yet glazed. Behind me I heard the same man ask where is God now? And I heard a .
voice within me answer him: Where is He? Here He is-He is hanging here on this .
gallows- (Wiesel 62). Ellie's fuling about God have become more hopeless as he .
