Night Imagery Analysis

Instructions:
Complete the sections below from three scenes in the memoir that you find to have the
most moving imagery. When it asks for a symbol for the scene, you may not pick something
that is directly related to the scene. This means, don’t use an object that is already
mentioned in that scene in the book. You should be creative with the symbol. You are invited
to include an image found on Google of your symbol. You should also get your copy of Night
from the side of the room.

An example is included at the very bottom of this document. You may not use the scene
referenced in the example.

Only type in the sections highlighted.

Scene 1:
Page(s) on which scene 23
1 occurs:
Explain what is There was a woman among them who had despaired.
happening in this Anyone with gold or silver will be shot.
scene. (two sentences)
Identify a textual Our backyard looked like a marketplace.Valuable objects,
example of imagery (a precious rugs, silver candlesticks, bibles and other ritual objects
quotation) were strewn over the dusty grounds-pitiful relics that seemed
never to have had a home. All this under a magnificent blue sky.
Identify another textual There was a moment of panic. Who had screamed? It was Mrs.
example of imagery (a Schachter. Standing in the middle of the car, in the faint light
quotation) filtering through the windows, she looked like a withered tree in a
field of wheat. She was howling, pointing through the window:
Identify an object that,
in your opinion,
symbolizes this scene.
Explain why you chose
that symbol. (3
sentences)

Scene 2:
Page(s) on which scene
2 occurs:
Explain what is
happening in this
scene. (two sentences)
Identify a textual
example of imagery (a
quotation) and explain
why it is significant.
(quotation + one
sentence)
Identify another textual
example of imagery (a
quotation) and explain
why it is significant.
(quotation + one
sentence)
Identify an object that,
in your opinion,
symbolizes this scene.
Explain why you chose
that symbol. (3
sentences)

EXAMPLE

Scene 1:
Page(s) on which scene 28
1 occurs:
Explain what is The Jews have just spent several days on the train listening to
happening in this Mrs. Schachter scream about seeing a fire. They have arrived at
scene. (two sentences) Birkenau and see flames from the chimney where Jews are
murdered.
Identify a textual “We stared at the flames in the darkness.” (page 28)
example of imagery (a
quotation) and explain This quotation is significant because Elie is reiterating that the
why it is significant. Jews are observing the flames in the darkness. Seeing the
(quotation + one flames in the darkness kind of isolates them and makes the
sentence) visual more vivid, because seeing flames in darkness has a
different appeal than seeing the flames in the middle of the
daytime. The fact that this all takes place in darkness also
reflects the title of the memoir.
Identify another textual “In the air, the smell of burning flesh.” (page 28)
example of imagery (a
quotation) and explain When I think of flames/fire, I think of roasting marshmallows or
why it is significant. roasting hotdogs with my family. I do not think of the smell of
(quotation + one burning flesh. And so for the Jews to be greeted at Birkenau
sentence) with something that literally smells of death is not only morbid
but it also reflects the brutality they will face in their time there.
Identify an object that, In my opinion, this image of a crying clown symbolizes the
in your opinion, scene.
symbolizes this scene.
Explain why you chose
that symbol. (3
sentences)

The irony behind Elie arriving at Birkenau is that he is a child.

Children typically do not have an accurate understanding of the
cruel things that take place in the world (IE, the childlike
playfulness of the clown). However, this clown is crying and is
obviously upset about something, and based off the facial
features, it was not something small. The colors and the
depressed features make it obvious that this clown’s anger is
caused by something huge and terrible--much like Elie’s pain
that is caused when he reaches Birkenau.