Loss of Identity

(all quotes are from Night by Elie Wiesel)

“The week of Passover. The weather was wonderful. My mother bustled ‘round her kitchen. There were no longer any synagogues open. We gathered in private houses: the Germans were not to be provoked.” Wiesel, 8

“That same day the Hungarian police burst into all the Jewish houses in the street. A Jew no longer had the right to keep in his house gold, jewels, or any objects of value. Everything had to be handed over to the authorities - on pain of death.” Wiesel, 8

“The cherished objects we had brought with us thus far were left behind in the train, and with them, at last, our delusions.” Wiesel, 22

”When three days were up, there was a new decree: every Jew must wear the yellow star.” Wiesel, 9

“Standing. Counting off. Sitting down. Standing up again. On the ground once more. Endlessly. We waited impatiently to be fetched.” Wiesel, 15

“Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never.” Wiesel, 25 “Within a few seconds, we had ceased to be

men. If the situation had not been tragic, we should have roared with laughter. Such outfits! Meir Katz, a giant, had a child’s trousers, and Stern, a thin little chap, a tunic which completely swamped him.” Wiesel, 27

“I did not move. What had happened to me? My father had just been struck, before my very eyes, and I had not flickered an eyelid. I had looked on and said nothing. Yesterday, I should have sunk my nails into the criminal’s flesh. Had I changed so much, then? So quickly?” Wiesel, 29

“In the afternoon we were made to line up. The three prisoners brought a table and some medical instruments. With the left sleeve rolled up, each person passed in front of the table. The three ‘veterans,’ with needles in their hands, engraved a number on our left arms. I became A-7713. After that, I had no other name.” Wiesel, 31

“’Bare your heads!’ yelled the head of the camp, suddenly. Ten thousand caps were simultaneously removed. ‘Cover your heads!’ Ten thousand caps went back onto their skulls, as quick as lightning.” Wiesel, 45