"Night" by Elie Wiesel by M. Bellmund

Excerpt from Night

17bellmundm — 2015-03-31 13:23:15 UTC

"Night. No one was praying for the night to pass quickly. The stars were but sparks of the immense conflagration that was consuming us. Were this conflagration to be extinguished one day, nothing would be left in the sky but extinct stars and unseeing eyes."

This quote shows how the inmates feel that the night is their protection. All of them cherished the night and the mystery that was incorporated into the unknown. Along with the night's protective properties, this quote also symbolizes the faith of the inmates and how without the confusion of the world, their would be no faith for them to hold on to.

What does Night tells us about the Human Experience?

17bellmundm — 2015-03-31 13:34:51 UTC

Night

17bellmundm — 2015-03-31 13:39:25 UTC

The night can be perceived in many ways. Some see the darkness as a blanket shielding them from the outside world until the sun peeks from the horizon. Others conceptualize night as an abyss, ridden with opportunities for crime, mischief, and beasts. These polar concepts of the night come alive in the book Night by Elie Wiesel.

Excerpt Two from Night

17bellmundm — 2015-04-06 01:31:24 UTC

"Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed."

This quote expresses a completely different side of the night time than the first quote did. Here, Elie is recollecting the horrors that were contained in the first night at the concentration camp he was held at. This night was merely the introduction of ultimate depression, sorrow, and despair that came with Elie's induction to the camp.

Connection - Lord of the Flies

17bellmundm — 2015-04-06 02:05:21 UTC

When the concept of night is perceived negatively, it directly connects to the Lord of the Flies. In fact, the Lord of the Flies captures this image perfectly. The boys in the Lord of the Flies are struck with fear as news of a beast is passed throughout the island. They dread the long nights on the island because that is when they fear that the beastie will strike. The night time in the story Lord of the Flies is perceived in a similar way as Elie thinks about night. It is a horrible time where horrible things happen. Night is what leaves people vulnerable to the dangers around them, and only the evilest and scariest of things lurk in the night time.

Lord of the Flies

17bellmundm — 2015-04-06 02:10:09 UTC

In Summary

17bellmundm — 2015-04-06 02:17:47 UTC

The archetype, night, can be looked at in two ways. One of them being a time of security, the other being a time of vulnerability. As proven in the novel Night, along with a supportive connection in Lord of the Flies, it can be both of these things. So in conclusion, the archetype of night is a time that allows humans to experience negative events, but not all of them are bad. It can be one of the worst experiences you have ever had, yet night can also hold a freedom of danger that allows you to be comftorable.