The parent-child relationship is one of the longest lasting social ties in human existence. Though it establishes endless support and unconditional love, it also fuels ambivalence, irritation, and resentment. Eli Wiesel’s highly acclaimed memoir, Night, explores this theme of familial bonds through intense trauma. During the Holocaust, Eliezer and his father , Shlomo, are stripped of their identities and sentenced to concentration camps where they slave endlessly for a year. Over time, Shlomo grows increasingly ill and Eliezer must accept the role as parent and protector. This inversion of the father-son relationship parallels the declining faith in humanity, as Eliezer’s world is—essentially—flipped upside down. Prior to 1944, Shlomo was “I could use all my strength to fight for my own survival, to take care of myself,” (106). For example, early on in Auschwitz, Shlomo is beat by a guard when asking for the restroom. Elie stands silent, contemplating how he can get farther away to avoid the violence. Instantly, he experiences shame and regret for his own selfishness, thus demonstrating how once-natural bonds deteriorate in the face of intolerance and severe punishment. Likewise, Rabbi Eliahou is abandoned by his son during the Death March. He sensed his father growing weak and “sought separation in order to get rid of the burden” (90-91) before his time grew near. This introduces the theme of “every man for himself.” Human connection and empathy is destroyed. Individuals lose their sense of identity and thus, lose their sense of compassion. If treated like cattle and herded like wild animals, these prisoners resort to animalistic behavior. “In this place, there is no such thing as father, brother, friend. Each of us lives and dies alone,” (110). For example, one of the prisoners murders his father for a ration of his bread; thus, demonstrating a breakdown in humanity. Terrified that he might resort to this level of violence, Elie clings to his father—and in a sense, his innocence and humanity. Yet, since his father’s death, “nothing matters” (113) to Ellie anymore. He—arguably—loses his will to survive, his ability to feel emotion. This proves that compassion is necessary in the plight of
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