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Introduction
Elie Wiesel was an American national (born in Romania in 1928). The book ‘Night’ is actually a translation (by Hill & Wang in 1960) of the original novel titled ‘Un di Velt Hot Geshvign’ that Wiesel wrote in 1955 (in the Yiddish language). In this book, Wiesel brings about the different traits of the father-son relationship – the main topic of the book. Chlomo is the father and Elie the son. Chlomo has been depicted as a responsible person who has obligations towards his family and community. Wiesel tries to show how relationships transform during adverse circumstances.
Essay body
Change is a natural process be it surroundings, conditions or relations. We can’t predict the nature or magnitude of the changes but they do occur at some point. The main character of the book, Elie, stumbles upon various changes in his life but the most considerable is his affiliation with Chlomo. In his earlier days, Elie had great love and respect for his father – because of his father’s actions and responsibilities – but unfortunately, he didn’t have the opportunity or privilege to experience his father’s love and affection. His father was more concerned about the community, as a whole, rather than his own family. In Elie’s own words, “My father was a cultured man, rather unsentimental.
He rarely displayed his feelings, not even within his family, and was more involved with the welfare of others than with that of his own kin” (Wiesel 23). When things didn’t seem to change, Elie started neglecting the fact that his father was not paying attention towards him and the family. He diverted his attention to his studies. Gradually, his relation with his father started deteriorating and stumbled to extremely low levels.
The father-son relation encounters further change when both of them, along with other people, are at the ‘Nazi concentration camp’. During this time, the feeling of trust reappears and Elie starts trusting his father. There were other fathers and sons who worried about their own lives and ran for their own safety. But Elie and his father remained together and gave each other hope. Elie was determined to be at his father’s side. In his own words, “Oh God, Master of the Universe, give me the strength never to do what Rabbi Eliahu’s son has done” (Wiesel 110).
Later, in the book, as Chlomo starts becoming feeble due to fatigue, the relationship of father and son takes another turn. Now Elie acts as a responsible father and Chlomo acts as a child, dependent on his son. By the end of the book, Elie’s feelings of respect for his father turn into grief when his father dies asking for water, “My son, water…I’m burning up…My insides…” (Wiesel 128). His father was actually beaten badly by the soldiers for not keeping up the pace with others. Elie is greatly disturbed and feels guilty for his father’s condition and untimely death.
Conclusion
The book brings about the emotions of a son for his father and vice-versa. It’s true that initially, due to being busy with the community work, Chlomo is not able to express his love and affection for his son, but towards the end, when circumstances become adverse, the true relationship is portrayed. Chlomo becomes completely dependent on his son – even for a glass of water – and Elie supports him as a true son should do. “Their relationship demonstrates that Eliezer’s love and solidarity are stronger forces of survival than his instinct for self-preservation” (Spark Notes par. 15).
Works Cited
Spark Notes. n.d. Night. Web.
Wiesel, Elie. Night, New York: Hill and Wang, 2006. Print.
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