![]() ![]() (Later, Elie finds out that two days after the evacuation, the Russian army liberates the hospital). Elie and his father decide between staying at the hospital or going on with the other prisoners. There is news that Buna will be evacuated. ![]() He's the only one who's kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people.'" Chapter 5, pg. The faceless neighbor counters, "'I've got more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. In anger, Elie asks why Hitler should be regarded as a prophet. ![]() After the surgery, as Elie recuperates in the hospital, his neighbor, a faceless Hungarian Jew, tells him that Hitler will annihilate all the Jews. He goes to the hospital and there, a Jewish doctor tells Elie that the foot must be operated on. After only three days, they forget the promise.ĭuring the winter, Elie's foot starts to swell. Before being taken away, Akiba Drumer asks some of the prisoners to recite the Kaddish for him. A rabbi from Poland, who spends hours reciting the Talmud, concludes hopelessly that God is no longer with them. Akiba Drumer, having lost his once strong faith, becomes a victim of the crematory. Many in the camp, however, do not make it. After work, he is relieved to find that his father has passed a second, decisive selection. Elie's father comes running and says that he too has been selected to be left behind. But the head of the block reads off a list of ten prisoners who are to remain behind. Several days pass and the prisoners forget about the selection. Elie notes, "Whenever I dreamed of a better world, I could only imagine a universe with no bells." Chapter 5, pg. Elie hates the unceasing regulation of the bell. After the selection process, Elie finds his father and they share good news they had both passed. When Elie's turn comes, he runs as if his life depends on it. The SS officer in charge of the selection is the notorious Dr. The head of Elie's new block tells them that in order to pass the selection they must run in front of the SS doctors. Elie is worried about his father because he has does not know if he can pass the selection. But Elie is not comforted because there are rumors of another selection process. ![]() The veterans talk about how terrible Buna used to be and how it is now a paradise compared to before. He is transferred to another building where he hauls heavy blocks of stone for twelve hours a day. But again, in his heart he feels a great void.Įlie is separated from his father. Partly in obedience to his father and partly as a revolt against God, Elie swallows his food. 65 On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the Jews debate whether they should fast or not. Elie concludes, "We had never understood one another so clearly." Chapter 5, pg. A tear falls on it and Elie asks, "Whose was that tear? Mine? His?" They both remain silent. As the Jews wish one another a Happy New Year, Elie finds his father, takes his hand, and kisses it. But he also feels lonely in a world without God. He feels no longer capable of lamentation, blaming God instead. But now, he refuses to offer up any prayers or praises to God. Elie remembers that at one time, New Year's Day had dominated his life. The Jewish year passes and on New Year's Day, the prisoners gather to celebrate and give thanks to God. ![]()
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