Chapter 3
Elie’s father has also been subject to large change. Not only has he become frail with physical deprivation, much like Elie, but he has also transitioned psychologically. Both Elie and his father have now started to be dehumanized and are slowly developing into inhuman fragments of their past identities. Elie’s father, however, has done a much better job at this point in keeping hope in his God, but has essentially lost faith in humanity. While Elie has taken many unwise approaches, Mr. Wiesel has largely put his efforts into ensuring Elie survives by teaching him to ration properly.
- “What a shame, a shame you did not go with your mother… I saw many children your age go with their mothers…” Page 33
- “His voice was terribly sad. I understand he did not wish to see what they would do to me. He did not wish to see his only son go up in flames.” Page 33
- “‘The world? The world is not interested in us. Today, everything is possible, even the crematoria…’ His voice broke.” Page 33
- “He didn’t answer. He was weeping. His body was shaking. Everyone around us was weeping.” Page 33
- “I glanced over at my father. How changed he looked! His eyes were veiled. I wanted to tell him something, but I didn’t know what.” Page 37
- “My father must have guessed my thoughts, because he whispered in my ear. ‘It doesn’t hurt.’ His cheek still bore the red mark of the hand.” Page 39
- “My father had not recognized him. He must have barely known him, always being up to his neck in communal and not knowledgeable in family matters. He was always elsewhere, lost in thought.” Page 43
- “My father told me, ‘You mustn’t eat all at once. Tomorrow is another day...’ But seeing that his advice had come too late, and that there was nothing left of my ration, he didn’t even start his own. ‘Me, I’m not hungry,’ he said.” Page 44