Throughout this part of the novel, Elie introduces new, rising conflict with himself. As thousands of men gather together to participate in praising God's name on the eve of Rosh Hashanah (the last day of the year), Elie refuses to be apart of this sacred solemn service. "What are You, my God? I [Elie] thought angrily. How do You compare to this stricken mass gathered to affirm to You their faith, their anger, their defiance? What does You granduer mean, Master of the Universe, in the face of all this cowardice, this decay, this misery? Why do you go on troubling thesespoor people's wounded minds, their ailing bodies?...But look at these men whom You have betrayed, allowing htem to be tortured, slaughtered, gassed, and burned, what do they do? They pray before You! They praise Your name!" (page66/68) Eliezer cannot seem to undestand why God remains silent, he refuses to accept God's silence. Eliezer no longer has the strength or faith to believe in his God.
This event is an important milestone of the novel. Before this, Elie seemed to devote his entire life into his religion and Kabbalah. Eliezer was a very religious person. But as his story goes on, and God's silence grows, his faith breaks, Eliezer is no longer able to believe in what he truly thought was real.
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It’s very unfortunate that because of his experiences during the Holocaust, Eliezer had lost faith in the higher power of God. Perhaps today as a free man, Eliezer has regained faith in his religion.
ReplyDeleteIn response to what Danielle's comment, I also wonder if Eliezer has found God again, or if he is still fighting his faith...
ReplyDeleteI think this is very well written Jasmine. Good job!
Eliezer does question God a lot in this section. He seems to lose his faith. This is very sad.
ReplyDeleteI felt sorrow and grief for what Elizer and his father went through, and how he lost faith in God. He questioned God so many times, but no reply just more torture kept coming. he asked why he had to put them in such misery, when they praise him everyday.
ReplyDeleteGood Job:)