Night :: essays research papers

dark Religion has always explained the dark in knowable terms. It has created symbols for that which could non be known. This symbolism is so late imbedded in our minds, cultures, and cosmology that it is rarely questioned from inside the religious paradigms. From outside that paradigm, the religious imagery loses its impact, its subliminal meaning. Religion functions to relieve the anxiety of the absolute situation for each of us that we will die, that our family will die, that our friends will die. Religion promises us that although we may die, we will continue. And, if we believe, then our afterlife will be glorious. spirituality offers another perspective to this military personnel-made solution. The spiritualistic belief is that of love for the fellow man instead of god hospitals instead of churches deeds done rather than prayers said. Spirituality, although bordering on atheism, seeks to understand and love, to find an ethical way of life rather than bit to a higher bei ng for the easy way out. In "Night" by Elie Wiesel we see death of religion in a child because of absolute evil and consequently, the embrace of spirituality. Separated from man made institutions, the core out of religion and spirituality must be preserved, if one is to survive in the midst of horror.     The Jewish religion was a key motivation to the citizens of Sighet. To Jews religion is not only a method to achieve immortality, but a way of life that must be holistically embraced. This all-consuming religion demands total deference and is a key motivation in the Jewish deportation and ad hominem surrender to Germany . Analyzing history, one sees the pattern of a Jewish nomad lifestyle ,so secret is their faith, and moving on. "Night" is the commencement exercise episode where this blind faith could not save them. Spawning from this failure of God is the genocide of millions at the hands of the Nazis. As young Eliezer visits Auschwitz a nd witnesses this genocide first hand, his blind faith is quickly revoked and in its place remains doubt, question and bitterness.     "Never shall I leave alone that night, the first night in camp, which has false my life into one long night, vii times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into a wreath of smoke beneath a silent sinister sky.