Theme of Silence in Night by Elie Wiesel Literary Analysis Example

As the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Elie Wiesel, once said, “Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” In his heartwarming memoir, Wiesel somberly emphasizes this point by demonstrating the consequences the Jewish community encounters for being silent against oppressive anti-Semites denying them human rights during the Holocaust. Literary devices and audience imperatives are often used in this memoir to exemplify the dangers of the Jews’ silence against the systemic genocide occurring.  Within this renowned narrative, Wiesel recounts his agonizing and hostile experience in a Nazi concentration camp where he was actively prosecuted for his religious beliefs.  Wiesel illustrates the importance of rebelling by emphasizing how silence enables oppressors to exploit one’s rights, allowing them no means of retaliation. In Night, Wiesel demonstrates the underlying theme of justice by highlighting the consequences of silence through his expert use of characterization, imagery and motifs.  

Firstly, Wiesel foregrounds the repercussions of remaining silent against injustice through the clever utilization of characterization. The author uses Elie, the protagonist, to illustrate the internal changes he undergoes to prove how one can change for the worse when resorting to silence when battling injustice. This point is evident when Elie states, “My father had just been struck... and I had not even blinked. Only yesterday I would have dug my nails into the criminal’s flesh. Had I changed that much?” (Wiesel 63). As Elie reflects on his actions following this act, a contrast can be detected, as he regarded himself as proactive, passionate, and righteous before he arrived at Auschwitz. However, his silent reactions to the atrocities before him proves that he is changing.  Silence engulfs his personality, suffocating his need to protest, which prevents him from rebelling against the immoral acts perpetrated against his people. As the story progresses, he is indoctrinated to remain silent in the face of injustice, allowing feelings of guilt and remorse to accompany him, constantly. His dynamic personality and favouritism towards silence are observable during his father's final moments. "His last word had been my name. He had called out to me and, I had not answered."  (Wiesel 112). His father was yearning to hear his son at his final breath. Yet, Elie's newfound personality allowed him no means of compassion which caused him to respond with nothing but silence. Elie, who once attended to the suffering Shlomo, instantaneously and benevolently is now disregarding him. At first, he is repulsed by irresponsible sons who forsake or murder their fathers to flee. However, ironically when experiencing a similar dilemma, he resorts to doing the same.  Instead of atoning to his pitiful father's final requests, he answers him with silence — something he claims will forever haunt him. As Elie's contemptible and deceitful characteristics begin to emerge, readers identify the dynamic character in terms of the changes in his personality. He occasionally finds himself changing without realizing nor wishing to, enabling the theme of silence unconsciously. 

Secondly, Wiesel skillfully uses religious motifs to underscore themes of justice in the night by consistently ridiculing the powerlessness of the Almighty Jehovah.  This point is apparent when one of the Jewish men in captivity expresses disbelief at the barbaric acts of the Germans by saying, "Where is merciful God, where is He?" but "total silence [follows]."  Immediately, Wiesel thinks to himself, "Where He is? This is where-hanging from the gallows..." The Jews, clinging to their faith in God, call out His name in hopes of being miraculously rescued. His silence, on the other hand, demonstrates his unwillingness to put a stop to it. They all stand solemnly trusting that their all-knowing God will intervene, ultimately leading to the demise of their suffering. Nevertheless, the constant silence from the 'all-powerful' God renders many like Elie unwilling to practice Judaism. He states, enraged, "Why should I sanctify His name? The Almighty, the eternal and terrible Master of the universe, chose to be silent." (33). Everyone, including his God, whom he confides in to ease him of his troubles, remains silent, disappointing him. As a result, his faith shatters as he realizes God's abandonment of his people, whom he claims to love so dearly. He vastly changes from his initial introduction. At first, under the tutelage of Moishe the Beadle, Elie is introduced as a Jewish youngster who reads the Torah and believes in a loving God. However, as a firsthand witness to the Holocaust, the traumatic sightings profoundly altered his identity and beliefs about God. He vividly begins to doubt his faith and inquires about the existence of God due to His deafening silence. Ironically, he has no identity other than that of one in captivity without his Jewish identity. Elie's most fundamental beliefs—faith in God, humanity, and a sense of justice in the world—are put to the ultimate test. Through Elie, Wiesel expresses the religious motifs and the negative significance of God's silence in the overall theme of justice. 

Thirdly, Wiesel conveys the prominent theme of justice through his clever use of visual and auditory imagery. Readers can reminisce back on the vivid memories of the hanging of the pipel when discussing visual imagery. However, the concerning element of that section is the cold silence that follows. The pipel  “remained for more than half an hour [on the noose], lingering between life and death, writhing before our eyes. His tongue was still red, his eyes not yet extinguished. [Nobody dared to speak] ” (65). The author's distinctive concise diction is in stark contrast to the pipel’s execution, which is described in extensive detail. The "writhing" boy "drifting between life and death" can be vividly visually imagined by readers. Young children are immeasurably precious as they represent purity and innocence. It is disconcerting for a child to be subjected to such inhumanity. However, it is comparatively more disappointing to notice the grown adults refusal to speak up against injustice and resort to being silent. The use of “silence” also contributes to auditory imagery as nothing is spoken or heard. In addition, Madame Schachter's screams and the passengers' mannerisms towards her display how those speaking up are forcefully silenced. “Jews, listen to me," she cried. "I see a fire! I see flames, huge flames! [The passengers] gave up. A few young men forced her to sit down, then bound and gagged her. Silence fell again.” (25-26) The audience can visually imagine the situation as she frantically prophesies her visions of burning flames, huge fire and hellish death. Silence filling the room can be audibly imagined. The mens’ treatment of the distressed woman corresponds to the theme of silence as they are enthusiastic to silence her in place of listening to her. Nobody tried to intervene, and a few people even cheered the men on, further enabling silence to fall once again. Wiesel's use of poignant visual and auditory imagery frightens audiences about the Nazis' ruthlessness and the Jew’s silent reactions terrify many even more. 

In conclusion, the memoir Night in its entirety is a thought-provoking and saddening novel which encourages readers to combat ignorance, apathy and silence to defeat unjust regimes. Through Wiesel’s, brilliant use of characterization, imagery and motifs, the heinous treatment of the Jewish people and the underlying theme of justice are communicated. The scarcity of actions put in place to battle the primitive and oppressive treatment is relatively appalling. Nevertheless, as humanity recognizes our past mistakes and the ill-treatment of corrupt systems, we can further educate future generations. Through this, global equality and peace can be achieved for all.