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  • Essay / The dynamics of the relationship between Elis and his father throughout the novel

    In the novel “Night”, it is clear to see that there is a changing relationship between Elie and his father. On the surface, "he called me and I didn't answer" seems to indicate that the relationship ended. However, the change in the nature of their relationship is much more complex than it seems. This complexity manifests itself from the days before the arrival of the Nazis, to the first experiences in the camp, to the last moments they share together. Throughout this novel, we see an ever-changing and developing relationship between Elie and his father. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay At the beginning of the text, Elie's father is very distant from his family and seems "more involved in the well-being of others than with that of his own parents." At this point in the story, the relationship between Elijah and his father is very distant and disconnected. This is further underlined by his father's lack of interest in Elie's faith - "he wanted to put the idea of ​​studying Kabbalah out of my mind" - which caused Elie to seek fatherly advice and support by Moishe the Beadle. Their relationship begins to change when the first Nazis arrive in town. As Elijah’s father begins to show emotion towards Elijah, their relationship begins to grow closer: “My father was crying. It was the first time I saw him cry. I never believed this possible. Elie is very shocked to see his father crying because he had never seen his father express his emotions before. This moment proves to Elie that his father is human. Their relationship develops further when Elie and his father are separated from his mother and his sister: “I already felt my father's hand pressing against mine: we were alone”. Elie's father begins to show more emotion and begins to take on a fatherly role in watching over Elie to ensure his survival, and begins to worry about Elie's safety and well-being: "What a shame that you don't leave with your mother, I have seen many children your age leave with their mothers “During their first meetings in the camp, Elie's father gradually becomes more fatherly and shows Elie wisdom. and the advice that was once used towards the community In more difficult times, they begin to rely on each other and realize that they must stick together to ensure their survival. Elie begins to take risks on his life. to ensure his father's survival, rather than worrying about his own well-being: “Being in the infirmary was not bad at all; we were entitled to good bread, thicker soup... From time to time, I could send a piece of bread to my father. This shows that even though Elie is better off, he still looks after his father and puts himself at risk if he was caught feeding his father. , he could be killed, and yet he does this to ensure that his father survives. Elijah begins to take on more of the fatherly role as his father becomes weaker and more dependent on Elijah. Their bond strengthens as the experiences they experience become more difficult. As Elie's father weakens, Elie becomes frustrated and feels that his father is weighing him down, that he is a dead weight: “My father's presence was the only thing that stopped me. He was next to me, out of breath, exhausted, desperate. Although Elie is angry at his father who holds him back, he does not abandon him and continues to support him because he does not want to be separated from him: “I wasn't thinking about death, I didn't want to be separated of my father. As they flee the Russians through the snow, Elie sees sons abandoning their father and realizes how easy it would be to leave him.