English 9 Intensified
5th Period
April 2012
Night by Elie Wiesel
Unit Overview
Like The Odyssey, Night is the story of journey, death, and survival, although it is
far from what we would call a heroic quest.
As in Lord of the Flies, the main character in Night comes to question his beliefs in the
benevolence of “civilized” society and in the existence of a benevolent universe. Both books lead
us to contemplate the source and power of evil in the world.
In both Oliver Twist and Night, a boy is thrust into a world of cruelty and despair, yet he
somehow holds onto his humanity, leading us to contemplate the source and meaning of
goodness.
Night, while having significant similarities with the other literature we have read this
year, stands on its own as a story of a boy’s struggles with overwhelming evil and as a literary
testament on one of the twentieth century’s defining events, the Holocaust.
Objectives:
We will be studying Night in order to:
 Analyze Elie Wiesel’s decision to share his experiences through a memoir;
 Identify and examine the cultural context of the text through both video, photography,
and supplementary texts;
 Analyze Night as a non-fiction literary response through discussion and the experience of
writing a personal memoir;
 Analyze themes in common with Night and the year-long theme of identity;
 Continue to develop skills in reading, writing, thinking, and listening.
Activities:
1. We will read and discuss Night following the below schedule:
Chapter 1
Homework, due in class with DQ’s on
Chapters 2-3 Homework, due in class with DQ’s on
Chapters 4-5 Homework, due in class with DQ’s on
Chapters 6-7 Homework, due in class with DQ’s on
Chapters 8-9 Read in class
Thursday, April 12
Monday, April 16
Wednesday, April 18
Friday, April 20
Friday, April 20
2. While reading Night, you will be responsible for answering discussion questions (DQ’s) as
they correspond with each chapter. These questions will be provided in a packet which will be
checked for completion throughout the unit, and then turned in for a final grade on April 26.
English 9 Intensified
5th Period
April 2012
3. You will also receive a vocabulary packet with your DQ’s. This packet should be completed
as you read the novel, and the words will often be reviewed in class. This vocabulary packet will
be handed in on April 26 for a grade.
4. The Memoir Project: As we read and discuss Night, you will be writing your own memoir.
This project will be discussed in greater detail on April 12, when you will receive the outline,
rubric, and requirements for the project. A majority of this project will be done in class.
Assessments:
1. The assessment of this unit will be based on the following:
 Discussion Question Responses
Due April 26
 Vocabulary
Due April 26
 Reading Quizzes
Throughout the unit
 Final Memoir Project
April 24
 Night Final Exam
April 26