Reading Chapter 2: Fire

Madame Schachter is beaten while riding with the rest of the Jews in the cattle cars, people think she is mad as she screams “Jews, listen to me! I can see fire! There are huge flames! It is a furnace!” With these words we get a glimpse of what the future holds for these people. In 15 sentences describe the worst possible place that you have ever been or that you could imagine yourself in. Remember that this will available for the rest of the class to see so if you want to keep something private this is not the forum for it.

chapter 1 Theme: DEATH

As you read you will find that Death-- A theme which was used throughout the book. It was shown through the loss of loved ones.
In chapter 1, the topic of death seems to be reaccuring in the story.

Elie identifies the German soldiers by their steel helmets with the emblem, the death's head. It is the first impression Elie has of the German soldiers.
The Jews are not allowed to leave their houses for three days-on pain of death. The term, "on pain of death" is used several times in the narrative to emphasize the harsh reality of the German's threats.
As the Jews are forced to wear the yellow star, Elie's father replies, "'The yellow star? Oh well, what of it? You don't die of it....'" Elie responds, "Poor Father! Of what then did you die?" The yellow star symbolizes the mark of distinction that sends many Jews to their deaths. In retrospect, Wiesel feels that his father and the Jews of Sighet conceded to their deaths by submitting to every German decree. With each submission, they die a bit more.
As the ghettos are emptied by the deportation of the Jews, rooms that were once bustling with activity, lay open with the people's belongings still remaining. It is like an "open tomb" in that there is no longer any sign of life.

Read each of this examples that are taken from chapter 1, write, reflect on th author's theme of death. what do you think or feel? What is the tone,and mood the writer is setting?

After reading with your group answer about these:

SUMMARIZING
• What happened?
• What is essential to tell?
• What is the outcome?
• Who is involved?
• Why does this happen?
• What is the main point?
• What does the author want me to remember or learn from the passage?
CLARIFYING
• What was confusing?
• What words or phrases did you need more information on?
PREDICTING
• What will happen next?
• Why do you think the way you do?

Before you read NIGHT

What is the Holocaust?
The Holocaust was the systematic annihilation of six million Jews by the Nazi regime during World War 2. In 1933 approximately nine million Jews lived in the 21 countries of Europe that would be occupied by Germany during the war. By 1945 two out of every three European Jews had been killed. The European Jews were the primary victims of the Holocaust.
But Jews were not the only group singled out for persecution by Hitler�s Nazi regime. As many as one-half million Gypsies, at least 250,000 mentally or physically disabled persons, and more than three million Soviet prisoners-of-war also fell victim to Nazi genocide. Jehovah�s Witnesses, homosexuals, Social Democrats, Communists, partisans, trade unionists, Polish intelligentsia and other undesirables were also victims of the hate and aggression carried out by the Nazis.

Before we read, Look through the photos. tell me what you see, what you know, how you feel about them, and any questions you have in regards to this event.

Reading night p. 14-22

Reading standard 3.12
Analyze the way in which a work of literature is related to the themes and issues of the historical period

This will be a challenging read, but it will open your eyes to the horrors of the Holocaust. This is where you will be posting your responses to the reading. Remember to include your connections, personal reactions, feelings, comments and questions to the novel. This is your opportunity to write what you think about what is happening in the novel. Please have at least 15 sentences.