HOLIDAY WEEK HOMEWORK

Read the assigned memoir Night by Elie Wiesel and answer the 29 study questions on the handout provided in class. You must have the entire novel read and all of the questions completed by our return on January 4th. There will be a quiz and a homework check on Monday, January 4th.  In case you have forgotten your handout, here are the questions:

Night Study Questions

BEFORE THE CAMPS

p. 1-20

1. How old is Eliezer at the beginning of the novel and how old is he at the end of this first section? What is life like for him at this point in time? What are his interests?
2. Who is Moshe the Beadle? What happens to him? What happens when he returns to Sighet?
3. What evidence do we have to prove that the Jews of Sighet did not expect anything would happen to them? Find several examples of their naïve reassurance in this section of the novel.
4. Describe life in the ghettos. What was the initial reaction of the Jews to this imposed lifestyle?
5. List the events involved in the deportation of the Jews for “resettlement” in the concentration camps?

TRAIN RIDE TO AUSCHWITZ

 p.21-26

1.  What does Madame Schachter repeatedly proclaim? What is the reaction of the other Jews in the train? Why do they behave this way? How are her cries prophetic?

THE RECEPTION AT AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU 

p.27-43

1.  What advice does a prisoner give Eliezer and his father when they arrive at the camp?
2. Why does Eliezer say, “Sleep had fled from my eyes”(30)? What horrible sights does he see that first night?
3. Who is Eliezer reunited with? Why do you suppose they had “little concern” for the fate of the others?
4. “We had ceased to be men.” (34) Describe the dehumanizing treatment of the Jews found in this section of the novel.
5. What proclamations does the SS officer make on that first night?
6. What is Eliezer’s reaction when his father is struck? Why?
7. How is Auschwitz “better” than Birkenau?
8. What advice does the Pole give to the new arrivals? Do you think this will be an easy task? Why or why not?
9. What are the “first human words?”
10. What lie does Eliezer tell Stein and why? Do you believe that he should have told the truth? Why or why not?

 LIFE AT BUNA 

p.45-62

1. Who are some of the new friends that Eliezer meets in the camp?
2. If one did not have the prior knowledge that this novel is semi-autobiographical, what clues are provided in the novel to indicate that Eliezer survives?
3. Eliezer gets himself into a great deal of trouble because of a gold crowned tooth. Describe the various incidents and the results.
4. Both Eliezer and his father are made to suffer by the cruel Idek. Describe the various incidents and the results.
5. What event did Eliezer find more alarming than the sight of the crematory ovens?
6. What final tragic event are they witness to in this section?

THE LAST DAYS AT BUNA   

p. 63-80

1.  a) What has happened to Eliezer’s faith in God? How have his beliefs changed since the beginning of the novel? b) Despite the change, what evidence do we have to prove that he still believes faith is important?
2. Discuss the significance of the quote, “We had never understood one another so clearly.” (65) Who is Eliezer referring to and what does the quote mean?
3. Describe the inhumanity of the “selection” process.

 THE LONG MARCH AND THE FINAL DAYS OF IMPRISONMENT AT BUCHENWALD                

 p .81 -107

1. Even after having been through so much, the Jews display further evidence of their great strength through the long and difficult march to Buchenwald. List as many examples as possible of this strength.
2. What ultimately happens to many of the men during this march?
3. Often, when human beings are placed in a position of life or death survival, they succumb to an inner animal instinct and it becomes a case of “every man for himself.” In these final two sections of the novel, we are confronted with the most compelling examples of this type of behaviour. a)  Describe the incident involving the Rabbi and his son, as well as, the incident with the bread. What is your reaction to these actions?  b)   How does Eliezer react to these incidents? Is he in a position to criticize this behaviour? Why or why not?
4. Which character states, “It’s so long since they closed their eyes?”(100) What is he referring to? Discuss the quote in connection with an earlier statement made by Eliezer (see question #8).

HOMEWORK: December 15th

Tonight’s Homework:

• Last literature circle tomorrow! Make sure you have your literature circle roles completed for your meeting!
• Start reading Night

HOMEWORK: December 14th

Tonight’s Homework:

• Complete late Romeo & Juliet Act 3 flowcharts.
• Read the rest of To Kill a Mockingbird and complete your final literature circle task with total effort and style to end your study with a “bang.”

WEEKEND HOMEWORK

For Monday:

• Worksheet “Using Commas D” due Monday
• Romeo & Juliet Act 3 quiz on Monday
• If not handed in on Friday, Act 3 flowchart due with late penalty.

HOMEWORK: December 10th

Tonight’s Homework:

• Flowchart for Romeo & Juliet Act 3 is due tomorrow. Make sure your flowchart makes use of colour.
• Worksheet “Using Commas D” due Monday
• Act 3 quiz on Monday
• Literature circle roles if you were absent on Wednesday.