Motifs The Motifs for this novel are: A recurring subject, object or idea, that can help to develop and inform the text’s major themes. The Motifs for this novel are: Night- This time of day means different things to the author throughout the story. Eyes- Used to characterize and show how circumstances change people.

Themes revolve around the following topics: Death- emotional and physical Faith- struggle to believe in God, in humanity and in ones self. Human Dignity in the face of inhumane cruelty Self-preservation vs. family

The Ghetto Comes from an Italian term to denote the Jewish banker’s neighborhood in Venice in the 14th century. It had a positive connotation. The term fell out of usage in the 1700’s. Adolph Hitler used the word ghetto to describe the segregated neighborhoods he imposed upon the Jewish people, where they were confined until being sent to the concentration camps. America started using the term after WWII for the segregated urban neighborhoods of the African Americans.

In many ways, The Holocaust was, ‘to imagine the unimaginable’. A Nazi about to shoot the last Jew left alive in Vinica, Ukraine. In many ways, The Holocaust was, ‘to imagine the unimaginable’. There were first hand accounts and other indicators along the way, but no one could believe the horror, even after they saw or experienced it. Children subjected to medical experiments in Auschwitz.

Genocide Geno- cide Geno – from the Greek word genos, which means birth, race, of a similar kind -Cide – from the French word cida, which means to cut, kill

Genocide Today Africa Racial prejudice and genocide Darfur region of Sudan Africa 2007 Rwanda , Africa 1994 Racial prejudice and genocide are still prevalent in the world.

Genocide Today Tibet Tibetans gunned down by Chinese “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” Elie Wiesel Sign on top of a Himalayan pass Where Tibetans try to cross into India

Other Countries Suffering from Genocide Armenia Bosnia

Essential questions… How should we remember past genocides or crimes against humanity? Why should we? How does human conflict at all levels impact society and the people in it? What social responsibility do we have to prevent future crimes against humanity? How does Elie Wiesel convey the inhumanity and humanity associated with the Holocaust in the novel Night? 9