Dialectical Journal Practice -
1. Critical Stance: Wiesel chronicles the gradual dehumanization of the prisoners.
a. First, define "dehumanization
- Dehumanization is the process of taking away human qualities from an individual or a group.
b. Then, describe the behavior of the various prisoners that shows their gradual transformation from their normal behavior as human beings.
- Getting the number engraved to their skin is a step in dehumanization to the prisoners. The behavior of prisoners eating food so rapidly because of their hunger is also another transformation that they go through. Prisoners selling shoes for more food is also a transformation of their dehumanization.
c. Last, describe the behavior of Eliezer, the changes he notices and his response to them.
- One of the first changes of Eliezer was how he ate. At first, he was very picky and would not eat the food that they were given which was soup. However, later on, he found himself swallowing his food rapidly. Then, as he adjusts to the life in the camps, he learns more techniques on surviving such as know not to mess with the guards. A moment where Eliezer notices his change was when he did nothing when idek was furiously beating up his father. He even felt anger toward his dad for not avoiding. He realized he was powerless and that there was almost nothing that he could do against those above him. He reacts to his changes in a reflective manner where he realizes what the camps have made him. Also, he feels a bit of disbelief toward his own religion. As he questions his support for his God.
2. Dialectical Journal Entries
a. Find quotations for each of the comments you made in question #1
b. Share these amongst group members so that you each have a complete DH upon which you can rely for the following week's discussion.
" his blows growing more and more violent until I was covered with blood" (50)
This quote shows dehumanization because the violence that Eliezer faces shows how the Germans dehumanized Jews thinking that the Jews were not human thus not worthy of humanly treatments. As a result, the violence is allowed.
" I now took little interest in anything except my daily plate of soup and my crust of stale bread" (50)
This shows the transformation where Eliezer is now living to just barely survive. Not receiving human treatments of proper nutrition. He looks forward only to his next meal so that he can save a little for later.
" Why, but why should I bless Him? In every fiber I rebelled."
Another change that Eliezer went through as he lived the burdens of concentration camp life. He began to adjust to just trying to survive and making sure that he does not get picked in the selections. Throughout all this he questions his own religion that he practiced for years.
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