Critical Stance
First, when the foreign Jews were deported from Sighet, the people did not panic and were saying that it was just a part of the war. In attempts to reassure themselves, they were saying that the foreigners were in Galicia satisfied with working there. Even when German troops entered their territory, they remained optimistic saying that they would not get close to them. When the yellow star decree was implemented, they were not discouraged at all because they thought that it was just a harmless decree. The future decrees did not discourage the Jews as they always found ways to stay optimistic.
Dialectical Journal Entries
1. "Without passion, without haste, they slaughtered their prisoners." (4)
This is the first glimpse of the horrific actions taken by the Germans. Acts so inhumane that when fellow Jews were informed by Moshe the Beadle, they called him a madman and didn't believe him. This is an important part of the story because it is the first action that we know of that the Germans did that was a part of getting rid of the Jews.
2. "The Germans were already in town, the Fascists were already in power, the verdict had already been pronounced, yet the Jews of Sighet continued to smile." (7-8)
This quote is important because although their land had been taken over, the jews still had the courage to smile and stay optimistic, oblivious of their future to come. It is important to the story as it shows how the Jews kept optimism and reassured themselves even in times of darkness.
3. "'I have terrible news,' he said at last. 'Deportation'" (11)
This was the beginning of what would truly show the Jews the trouble that they faced. The idea of being deported was not new but, the Jews did not have to face this dilemma previously. However, instead of rioting and opposing the deportation, they go along with it and followed the orders from the Germans.
4. "... a piercing cry split the silence: 'Fire! I can see a fire! I can see a Fire!'" (22)
A foreshadow to what was coming to the Jews, the words screamed by Madame Schachter were not comprehensible by those around her and they all thought she had gone crazy. Coming to the conclusion that she was out of her mind and that they wanted to silence her. An important part of the story because it shows the mistake the Jews made when they chose not to listen to her.
5. "... those children in the flames." (30)
This was the first actual witness of the horrific deeds that were put upon the Jews. Eliezer finally saw what lengths Germany would go through in order to get rid of Jews. It was something that everyone couldn't believe because of how inhumane those actions were. Not thinking that such deeds could be done. This is an important aspect of the story as it shows the moment in which the Jews realized the reality in which they lived in.
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