ENGLISH 10
STUDY GUIDE: Qs from Chapters 1-3, Night
Chapter 1 pp. 1-20
1. Describe Moshe, the Beadle.
He worked at the Hasidic synagogue. He was able to make himself seem almost
invisible. He was timid, with dreamy eyes and did not speak much.
2. Why did Eliezer pray, and why did he cry when he prayed?
He did not know why. Why did he breathe?
3. Upon his return, what story did Moshe tell?
He and other foreign Jews had been taken by train through Hungary and into
Poland. They were taken to a forest and made to dig graves. Then the Gestapo
killed them. Moshe escaped because he had been mistaken for dead, although he
was just wounded. He said he returned to tell the Jews to prepare themselves
before it was too late,
4. Why didn’t the people believe him?
People refused to believe him. Some would not even listen to him. They said he
just wanted their pity.
5. Cite examples of how the Jewish citizens of Sighet began to lose their rights.
Jews would not be allowed to leave their homes during Christian holiday, Jews
could not own gold, jewels or objects of value, Jews were forced to wear the
yellow star, eventually Jews were moved into ghettos.
6. What is a ghetto?
Many old European towns had a Jewish section called the ghetto. Other ghettos
were established. They were surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards.
7. Why did the citizens resist the truth, even when it was in front of them?
They could not believe Hitler would actually exterminate an entire race of
people.
8. Describe the conditions in the train (at the end of the chapter).
The Jews were loaded into cattle cars – 80 people to a car – with barred windows.
They had a few loaves of bread and some buckets of water. One person was put
in charge and if anyone tried to escape, he would be shot.
ENGLISH 10
STUDY GUIDE: Qs from Chapters 1-3, Night
Chanter 2 - pp. 21-26
1. Explain, “our eyes were opened, but too late.” Where was the train at this
point?
They realize the Germans have taken them prisoner. They are at the
Czechoslovak border, heading west.
2. What was foreshadowed by Madame Schacter’s nightmare?
Auschwitz and the crematorium.
3. What did some of the passengers do to quiet Madame Schacter?
Gagged her and hit her until she stopped screaming.
4. Where did the train finally stop?
Auschwitz
Chapter 3 - pp. 27-43
1. When questioned by the S.S. Officer, why did Elie lie about his age and
occupation?
Another prisoner warned them not to reveal their real ages. Elie was 15 and
claimed to be 18, and his father was 50, but claimed to be 40. He said he was a
farmer.
2. What was the first horrifying sight that Elie at first disbelieved?
A pit of burning babies.
3. Explain what Elie meant when he said, “Never shall I forget these flames
which consumed my faith forever.”
The sight of such atrocities made him doubt the existence of God.
4. How had Elie changed in a short time?
He told his father he would rather die on the electric wire than wait to be
executed. He thought of revolting. He grew angry towards his father when his
father was being beaten for asking directions to the bathroom! He said the
“instinct of self-preservation, of self-defense, of pride, had all deserted [him].”
5. What was Elie’s first impression of Auschwitz after leaving Birkenau?
ENGLISH 10
STUDY GUIDE: Qs from Chapters 1-3, Night
The new barracks were two-story concrete building. There were some gardens,
and showers at the entrance of every camp.
6. What was the “compulsory formality” at the entrance to all camps?
The showers
7. What sort of identification was used on the prisoners?
Tattoos on their left arms
8. Why was the prisoner in charge of Elie’s block removed from this position?
He was considered too humane.
9. What were the prisoners’ rations at each meal?
Black coffee for breakfast, thick soup for lunch, and bread and “something” for
dinner.
10. What was Bela Katz forced to do once he was chosen for his strength?
Katz had to load bodies into the crematorium. He had to burn his own father.