Chapter 8 & 9
Elie's father has passed within these passages, although his legacy remains in Elie who aims to survive. Prior to his death, Mr. Wiesel accepted his fate and urged to let go from the consistent famine and suffering. I found it very depressing that Elie's father passes after enduring so much, however, his decline in physical state ultimately affected his hope and mental stability. Elie renews his self-preservation after Mr. Wiesel passes, and this impact proves to aid Elie in focusing on a will to survive and eat. Although Mr. Wiesel had passed within the atrocity of the Holocaust, his image and influence lives on in us readers and Elie.
- “‘Leave me,’ he said. ‘I can’t go on anymore… Have pity on your old father… I’ll wait here until we can go into the showers… You’ll come and get me.”’ Page 105
- “He had become childlike: weak, frightened, vulnerable.” Page 105
- “Everyday, my father was getting weaker. His eyes were watery, his face the color of dead leaves.” Page 107
- “From afar, I saw my father and ran to meet him. He went by me like a shadow, passing me without stopping, without a glance.” Page 107
- “He looked at me for a moment and his gaze was distant, otherworldly, the face of a stranger. It last only a moment and then he ran away.” Page 108
- “He could no longer listen to me. He was worn out. Saliva mixed with blood was trickling from his lips. He had closed his eyes. He was gasping more than breathing.” Page 108
- “On my return from the bread distribution, I found my father crying like a child.” Page 109