2.17.17+and+2.21.17

Discuss: Ch. 8

Read: Ch. 9 as a class

Reflection: At the end of Night, Elie writes about seeing himself in a mirror for the first time since the ghetto. He describes how, “From the depths of the mirror, a corpse was contemplating me,” and that “The look in his eyes, as they stared into mine, has never left me”(109).

Why does Elie choose to leave us with this image? What is the effect of these last lines?

How has Elie changed over the course of the novel? Consider his relationships with others, namely his father. Consider his relationship with his faith.

Does Elie leave his experience in concentration with his belief in the goodness of humanity intact? Is his “night” over? Explain.

Discussion

Motif brainstorm: I'll update the lists from class tomorrow.


 * Loss of innocence: lying, hangings, beating/physical violence
 * Physical punishment
 * Loss of identity: tattoo number, lack of name, clothing, uniformity, shaved heads
 * Animalistic language: both directions (toward Jews, from Elie toward Jews)
 * Machines, robots
 * Empty shell
 * Stomach/just a body
 * Material possessions: shoes, gold crown
 * Desire/value systems
 * Sleep: death, relief, escape
 * Snow: covering up, hiding bad elements/history, something dangerous that appears good
 * Food: entire life, priority, survival mode, value/currency, lack of humanity, clock/routine, time, bell, animalistic element, soup, bread, dehumanization
 * Death: corpses, release/relief, change in feelings about death (fear to interest/acceptance)
 * Night: Nazis, death (literal, figurative, emotional), darkness of faith, can't escape (night always comes back), can't see, desire to escape
 * Fire: Nazis, consumption, fire to ashes
 * Sight/eyes
 * Father and son relationships
 * Teaching/learning
 * Resistance
 * Numbness/lack of feeling

Found poem assignment: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DT7AuCmYq0oyPp0v5nX-XwfdTr2IE8VS8SiR_aZUBnI/edit?usp=sharing

We went over the expectations for this assignment, and looked at some models. For next class, you need to pick the motif you want to write your found poem about (and the goal here is that it's the same motif that you'll write your final essay about), and gather 15-20 examples from the text that relate to it. You can start crafting your poem if you want, but it's not homework.

HW: ALL reading journal entries due next class. AND, pick your motif for your Found Poem, and gather 15-20 examples from the text. You'll have time to work on the poem's actual construction next class.