Dehumanization as a Theme in Night

Elie Wiesel with his mother Sarah Fieg and two sisters.

Aim: How do we analyze the idea of dehumanization in Night?

Journal Prompt #2:Dehumanization
Closely watch this introductory video about Night. Identify at least one theme (ideas) that we have discussed in class and one new theme that we have not yet discussed. State your strong opinion on these ideas.

This week we will explore the developing theme of dehumanization in Night. The noun suffix ation means the action or process of doing something. The prefix de in this instance means to take away. So the word dehumanization literally means to take away the state of being human.

In impromptu groups today, identify evidence of dehumanization from the text. Analyze how these examples dehumanize people. Discuss these critical questions:

1. Why do people dehumanize?
2. What other instances of dehumanization have you personally seen or read about in history or in the news?

After discussing it with your groups, write a short reflection summarizing your discussion and why you personally learned from the discussion.