Chapter 9
In what appeared to be a time heightening Elie's refreshing of his humanity, Elie faces the ultimate obstacle after the passing of his father. Elie looked to have a restored will to survive, but once he realizes his father is gone he loses that will. He describes putting all focus on himself, and luckily the natural will to live is still within him. Elie primarily concerns himself with only food and survival, and doesn't ponder too much on others. He does think about his father often, and tells the reader that from his father's death he lost hope in humanity. I can not be sure whether upon liberation he restored his faith in both god and humanity, but my guess is that if he did, it must have taken a while. Elie shows some guilt towards his father's death, but because his focus moves towards food and survival, I believe that he aims to avoid such thoughts.
“It no longer mattered. Since my father’s death, nothing mattered to me anymore.” Page 113