Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Explain 2 examples of tragic irony from section 1 in Night by Elie Wiesel.

In my mind, the most evident example of tragic irony in
the first section would reside with the reaction Moshe the Beadle receives upon
returning to Sighet.  Moshe has lived through unspeakable atrocity and has only one
desire upon living in terms of returning and letting others know what horror awaits and
for them to escape now.  Yet, the reaction he receives is one of disbelief, derision and
denial.  This is ironic because Moshe's attempts at building solidarity and community
are negated by those who are in the community of Sighet.  It is particularly poignant
and ironic that he sits broken not because of the Nazis but because of his own people. 
Another tragic irony that comes out of this section of the narrative is something more
subtle in the discussions between Eliezer and Moshe the Beadle.  From their discussions
about the questions to ask God, a tragic irony develops that will be enhanced when
Eliezer begins to question God himself.  Moshe teaches Eliezer that there is a
fundamental importance in asking God the questions that help provide answers to identity
in the world.  This is something that acquires greater meaning when Eliezer begins to
ask God why he has inflicted such punishment on him throughout his ordeal, eventually
resulting in a repudiation of God.  It is here where I think that another tragic irony
is evident in the first section.

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