1. Night Literary Devices Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, & 9

2. Image
Language that creates a concrete representation of an object or an experience
Also the vivid mental picture created in the reader’s mind by that language
Images are collectively referred to as imagery

3. Image, continued
One striking image in Night is the white placard that reads “Warning: Danger of Death” and bears a skull and crossbones.
?? – Describe the final image of the book.
?? – Why do you think Wiesel chose to end with that image?
?? – What images form the book have particularly affected you or stayed in your mind?

4. Juxtaposition
Placing two items close together or side by side, often for the purpose of comparing or contrasting them
Example on page 89: “When they withdrew, next to me were two corpses, side by side, the father and son. I was fifteen years old.”
?? – What is the effect of juxtaposing the image of two corpses with Elie’s age?

5. Juxtaposition, continued
Another example: Wiesel describes the prisoners being marched from Birkenau to Auschwitz, surrounded by SS, revolvers, and guard dogs. The next paragraph reads: “It was a beautiful April day. The fragrance of spring was in the air. The sun was setting in the west.”
?? – What is the effect of this juxtaposition?

6. Irony
Verbal: a statement that is made that means the opposite (sarcasm)
Situational: when an event occurs that violates the expectations of the characters, the reader, or the audience
Example on page 19: Wiesel describes the look on the German officers’ faces as the first deportees leave Sighet. He writes: “[A]ll things considered, everything had gone off very well.”
?? – How is this an example of verbal irony?

7. Irony, continued
Example: When the train pulls up in front of Auschwitz, the travelers see flames emerging from a tall chimney. Madame Schächter is silent.
?? – How is this an example of situational irony?
Example on page 35: Elie gives thanks to God for mud.
?? – How is this situational irony?

8. Theme Central idea in a literary work
Expressed the main idea the writer wanted to convey
Can always be supported by evidence from the text
?? – How would you express the theme of Night? What evidence do you have for this theme?