Literary Check #2

1. The definition of dehumanization is to deprive of human qualities or attributes; divest in individuality. Prior to being transported, Eliezer and the rest of the Jewish community had been optimistic about all things and always seen the positive and bright side to every negative conflict that had come their way, especially his father. Eliezers father was the man on the held the community together and always spoke positively. As they went through the process of getting into the camp and being tortured, many of them changed mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. During New Years, when Eliezer and his dad had already been separated, as far as barracks, he went along to look for his father. He saw his dad standing near a wall with his shoulders sagging as though 'beneath a heavy burden'. A physical appearance of someone most times can say a lot about how they are feeling or doing inside. In this indication, we can tell that his dad has changed a lot. From being someone so lively and awake to seeing him so down and stressed, tells how much he's been through and how much it's taken a toll on him. Later in the story as Eliezer lays in the hospital, he meets a man who is also sickly and needed of care. Assuming that he was a normal human being before being transported to the camp, now he is very care-free. He tells Eliezer that Germany doesn't need sick jews and that he's basically going to die. In this moment of time, the prisoners aren't so much afraid of death but instead they wait for WHEN death will come. Its not a matter of how but instead, when. Also for Eliezer himself, he has changed as a person and even in his faith as a Jew. Instead of having a strong faith in God, his faith is shaken and questioned when he asks why God would allow such pain and suffering to him and those around him. He thought to himself and wondered why he should praise and believe in a a God that he thought would never do these things - his mindset changes. A part of his old self is still there, I believe. A part of him that wants to believe in a God and a part of him that wants to be loving and caring and appreciative - which he still is although you see parts of his old good self slowly starting to fade away. In the beginning when they first came to the camp, he would be on his toes and try to protect him self, his father, and who ever else he could. Now, it was more of a selfish battle - it  had to be. Instead of caring for so many others, he began to care more for himself and even less of his father.

2. Eliezers father -

                   "I ran off to look for my father. And at the same time I was afraid of having to wish him a Happy New Year when I no longer believed in it. He was standing near the wall, bowed down, his shoulders sagging as though beneath a heavy burden."

                   "And my father? Suddenly I remembered him. How would he pass the selection? He had aged so much"

     Eliezer -
                    "I had watched the whole scene without moving. I kept quiet. In fact I was thinking of how to get further away so that I would not be hit myself. What is more, any anger I felt at that moment was directed, not against the Kapo, but against my father. I was angry with him, for not knowing how to avoid Idek's outbreak. This is what concentration camp life had made of me."

                     "What are you, my God," ... "compared to this afflicted crowd, proclaiming to You their faith, their anger, their revolt? What does Your greatness mean, Lord of the universe, in the face of all this weakness, this is decomposition, and this decay? Why do You still trouble their sick minds, their crippled bodies?"

                      "
        Guy in hospital with Eliezer -
                      "You mustn't rejoice too soon, my boy. There's selection here too. More often than outside. Germany doesn't need sick Jews. Germany doesn't need me. When the next transport comes, you'll have a new neighbor. So listen to me, take my advice: get out of the hospital before the next selection!"