1. Quick Review 1. What are the conditions of the cattle wagon?
2. How was Mrs. Schachter able to see the flames from the furnace beforehand?
3. What is tone?
4. What is the significance of the refrain in the poem, “To the Little Polish Boy?”

2. Symbolism, Connotation, & Denotation
Night: Chapter 3
Turn to page 27-35
Symbolism, Connotation, & Denotation

3. Definitions
Symbol: something concrete that stands for something abstract.
Denotation: actual definition meaning of a word
Connotation: What is often associated with a word

4. Purpose
Symbolism can be used to add meaning that goes beyond what is literally being said.
Connotation of words can reveal an author’s tone and mood.
Connotation of a repeated image or word can also help reveal symbolism.

5. What does the meaning of each of these items suggest about symbolism?
Example
Dove: Peace
Red: Passion, anger
American Flag: Patriotism
Four leaf clover: Good luck
What does the meaning of each of these items suggest about symbolism?

6. How Can You Identity Symbols in Literature?
Consider the theme (what the author is trying to convey) of the literary work.
Are words or phrases repeated?
Consider the connotations of words used in important passages.
Think of the subjects explored in the story.

7. Keep questions & answers in your notes!
Turn to page 32 and lets read one of the most famous passages written by Elie Wiesel. Let’s discover why Wiesel titled his memoir Night by looking closely at his use of symbols.
Keep questions & answers in your notes!

8. Guiding Questions 1 Question
Possible Answers
Connotation: What meanings, associations, or emotions do the word, “Night” suggest?
Sleep, loneliness, death, depression, evil, fear, darkness, dreams, nightmares, sadness, ghosts, mystery, suspicion, cold, anxiety, pain

9. Guiding Questions 2 Question
Possible Answers
What did Elie witness and experience his first night in camp?
The elderly being shot in cold blood
He was separated from his mother and sister.
He lied about his age to save his life.
He saw children and adults being burned alive.
He smelled burning flesh.
He heard children and people screaming.
He saw people being beat like animals.

10. Guiding Questions 3 Question Possible Answers
Based on the connotation of “night” what does Elie mean when he says that his first night in camp has turned his life into one long night?
Elie’s life after the Holocaust was most likely filled with pain, loneliness, nightmares, and a difficulty for him to enjoy joyful events as he often thought of all those who suffered at and died during the Holocaust.

11. Guiding Questions 4 The absence of God
Possible Answers
What does “Night” symbolize for Elie?
The absence of God

12. Guiding Questions 5 What is the “silence” that Elie is referring to?
Possible Answers
What is the “silence” that Elie is referring to?
The silence of God and the world as no one came to stop the Nazi or help the Holocaust prisoners.

13. Response # 3
Remaining of class time: Finish reading chapter 3 & continue working on the response questions.
How does the connotation of night (nighttime) help to develop the symbolism of night (the absence of God)? Use our class discussion and examples from the text to explain this question in more detail.

14. Homework Read the remaining of chapter 3.
Complete the third entry in the Night Response Booklet.