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To Kill a Mockingbird 50th Anniversary
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Monday, October 17, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
The Tell Tale Heart Honors Assignment
http://www.edmodo.com/link?id=6050326&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eastoftheweb.com%2Fshort-stories%2FUBooks%2FTelTal.shtml
Edgar Allan Poe
The Tell Tale Heart
True! - nervous - very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses - not destroyed - not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily - how calmly I can tell you the whole story.
It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! He had the eye of a vulture - a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees - very gradually - I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.
Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded - with what caution - with what foresight - with what dissimulation I went to work! I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it - oh so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, so that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly - very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha! - would a madman have been so wise ass this? And then, when my head was well in the room, I undid the lantern cautiously - oh, so cautiously - cautiously (for the hinges creaked) - I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye. And this I did for seven long nights - very night just at midnight - but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spike courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked upon him while he slept.
< 2 >
Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night, had I felt the extent of my own powers - of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startled. Now you may think that I drew back - but no. His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness, (for the shutters were close fastened, through fear of robbers,) and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and I kept pushing it on steadily, steadily.
I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening, and the old man sprang up in bed, crying out - 'Who's there?'
I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and in the meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening; - just as I have done, night after night, hearkening to the death watches in the wall.
Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief - oh, no! - it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not. He had been saying to himself - 'It is nothing but the wind in the chimney - it is only a mouse crossing the floor,' or 'it is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp.' Yes, he had been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions: but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of ht unperceived shadow that caused him to feel - although he neither saw nor heard - to feel the presence of my head within the room.
< 3 >
When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little - a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it - you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily - until, at length a simple dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and fell full upon the vulture eye.
It was open - wide, wide open - and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness - all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could see nothing else of the old man's face or person: for I had directed the ray as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot.
And have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over acuteness of the senses? - now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well, too. It was the beating of the old man's heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.
But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed. I held the lantern motionless. I tried how steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime the hellish tattoo of the heart increased. It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and louder every instant. The old man's terror must have been extreme! It grew louder, I say, louder every moment! - do you mark me well? I have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And now at the dead hour of the night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still. But the beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst. And now a new anxiety seized me - the sound would be heard by a neighbour! The old man's hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once - once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But, for many minutes, the heart beat on with a muffled sound. This, however, did not vex me; it would not be heard through the wall. At length it ceased. The old man was dead. I removed the bed and examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, stone dead. I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation. He was stone dead. His eye would trouble me no more.
< 4 >
If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night waned; and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs.
Then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye - not even his - could have detected any thing wrong. there was nothing to wash out - no stain of any kind - no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all - ha! ha!
When I had made an end of these labours, it was four o'clock - still dark as midnight. A the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart, - for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of the police. A shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.
I smiled, - for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade them search - search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber. I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.
The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly at ease. They say, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. The ringing became more distinct: - it continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definiteness - until, at length, I found that the noise was not within my ears.
< 5 >
No doubt I now grew very pale; - but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased - and what could I do? I was a low, dull, quick sound - much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath - and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly - more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men - but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do? I foamed - I raved - I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder - louder - louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! - no, no! They heard! - they suspected! - they knew! - they were making a mockery of my horror! - this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! and now - again! - hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!
'Villains!' I shrieked, 'dissemble no more! I admit the deed! - tear up the planks! here, here! - it is the beating of his hideous heart!'
Edgar Allan Poe
The Tell Tale Heart
True! - nervous - very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses - not destroyed - not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily - how calmly I can tell you the whole story.
It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain; but once conceived, it haunted me day and night. Object there was none. Passion there was none. I loved the old man. He had never wronged me. He had never given me insult. For his gold I had no desire. I think it was his eye! yes, it was this! He had the eye of a vulture - a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees - very gradually - I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye forever.
Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded - with what caution - with what foresight - with what dissimulation I went to work! I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it - oh so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, so that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly - very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man's sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha! - would a madman have been so wise ass this? And then, when my head was well in the room, I undid the lantern cautiously - oh, so cautiously - cautiously (for the hinges creaked) - I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye. And this I did for seven long nights - very night just at midnight - but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spike courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he had passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked upon him while he slept.
< 2 >
Upon the eighth night I was more than usually cautious in opening the door. A watch's minute hand moves more quickly than did mine. Never before that night, had I felt the extent of my own powers - of my sagacity. I could scarcely contain my feelings of triumph. To think that there I was, opening the door, little by little, and he not even to dream of my secret deeds or thoughts. I fairly chuckled at the idea; and perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly, as if startled. Now you may think that I drew back - but no. His room was as black as pitch with the thick darkness, (for the shutters were close fastened, through fear of robbers,) and so I knew that he could not see the opening of the door, and I kept pushing it on steadily, steadily.
I had my head in, and was about to open the lantern, when my thumb slipped upon the tin fastening, and the old man sprang up in bed, crying out - 'Who's there?'
I kept quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and in the meantime I did not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening; - just as I have done, night after night, hearkening to the death watches in the wall.
Presently I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief - oh, no! - it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I chuckled at heart. I knew that he had been lying awake ever since the first slight noise, when he had turned in the bed. His fears had been ever since growing upon him. He had been trying to fancy them causeless, but could not. He had been saying to himself - 'It is nothing but the wind in the chimney - it is only a mouse crossing the floor,' or 'it is merely a cricket which has made a single chirp.' Yes, he had been trying to comfort himself with these suppositions: but he had found all in vain. All in vain; because Death, in approaching him had stalked with his black shadow before him, and enveloped the victim. And it was the mournful influence of ht unperceived shadow that caused him to feel - although he neither saw nor heard - to feel the presence of my head within the room.
< 3 >
When I had waited a long time, very patiently, without hearing him lie down, I resolved to open a little - a very, very little crevice in the lantern. So I opened it - you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily - until, at length a simple dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and fell full upon the vulture eye.
It was open - wide, wide open - and I grew furious as I gazed upon it. I saw it with perfect distinctness - all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very marrow in my bones; but I could see nothing else of the old man's face or person: for I had directed the ray as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot.
And have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over acuteness of the senses? - now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I knew that sound well, too. It was the beating of the old man's heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.
But even yet I refrained and kept still. I scarcely breathed. I held the lantern motionless. I tried how steadily I could maintain the ray upon the eye. Meantime the hellish tattoo of the heart increased. It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and louder every instant. The old man's terror must have been extreme! It grew louder, I say, louder every moment! - do you mark me well? I have told you that I am nervous: so I am. And now at the dead hour of the night, amid the dreadful silence of that old house, so strange a noise as this excited me to uncontrollable terror. Yet, for some minutes longer I refrained and stood still. But the beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst. And now a new anxiety seized me - the sound would be heard by a neighbour! The old man's hour had come! With a loud yell, I threw open the lantern and leaped into the room. He shrieked once - once only. In an instant I dragged him to the floor, and pulled the heavy bed over him. I then smiled gaily, to find the deed so far done. But, for many minutes, the heart beat on with a muffled sound. This, however, did not vex me; it would not be heard through the wall. At length it ceased. The old man was dead. I removed the bed and examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, stone dead. I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation. He was stone dead. His eye would trouble me no more.
< 4 >
If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe the wise precautions I took for the concealment of the body. The night waned; and I worked hastily, but in silence. First of all I dismembered the corpse. I cut off the head and the arms and the legs.
Then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye - not even his - could have detected any thing wrong. there was nothing to wash out - no stain of any kind - no blood-spot whatever. I had been too wary for that. A tub had caught all - ha! ha!
When I had made an end of these labours, it was four o'clock - still dark as midnight. A the bell sounded the hour, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart, - for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of the police. A shriek had been heard by a neighbour during the night; suspicion of foul play had been aroused; information had been lodged at the police office, and they (the officers) had been deputed to search the premises.
I smiled, - for what had I to fear? I bade the gentlemen welcome. The shriek, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I bade them search - search well. I led them, at length, to his chamber. I showed them his treasures, secure, undisturbed. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.
The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was singularly at ease. They say, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, ere long, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. The ringing became more distinct: - it continued and became more distinct: I talked more freely to get rid of the feeling: but it continued and gained definiteness - until, at length, I found that the noise was not within my ears.
< 5 >
No doubt I now grew very pale; - but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased - and what could I do? I was a low, dull, quick sound - much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath - and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly - more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men - but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do? I foamed - I raved - I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder - louder - louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! - no, no! They heard! - they suspected! - they knew! - they were making a mockery of my horror! - this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! and now - again! - hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!
'Villains!' I shrieked, 'dissemble no more! I admit the deed! - tear up the planks! here, here! - it is the beating of his hideous heart!'
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
NIGHT Study Guide
Night by Elie Wiesel- Study Guide
The following questions are meant to help you focus your reading for the upcoming summer reading test. If you can answer the questions after reading each chapter, you will clearly understand the novel and be prepared—perhaps over prepared—for the test on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Chapter 1
1. Who was Moshe the Beadle?
2. What does Elie Wiesel tell the reader of Moshe?
3. How does Wiesel describe himself as a boy of 12?
4. How does Wiesel describe his father?
5. Why did Elie’s father prohibit him from studying the Cabala?
6. How did Wiesel realize his wish to study the Cabala?
7. What happened to Moshe?
8. Several months later, Elie saw Moshe the Beadle again. What story did Moshe tell?
9. How was Moshe able to escape?
10. How had Moshe changed as a result of his experience?
11. How did people in the village react to Moshe’s story? Why do you suppose they reacted this
way?
12. In the Spring of 1944, what political changes occurred in Hungary?
13. What was the attitude of the Jews of Sighet?
14. What literary device does Wiesel employ to emphasize the foolish optimism and denial of
facts of the Jews living in Sighet? How is it used?
15. After the Germans arrived in Sighet, what was the prevailing attitude among the residents?
16. After Passover, Wiesel says, “the curtain rose.” (p. 8) What does this refer to? What
happened?
17. What was bitterly ironic about the comments that Wiesel’s father made regarding the
wearing of the yellow star?
18. What was the Germans’ next step?
19. How did the Jews react to this?
20. The Germans had other plans for the Jews of Sighet, however. What were those plans?
21. The Wiesel family was among the last to leave the large ghetto. Where were they sent?
22. Where did they go?
23. Despite all that happened, even after the Germans entered the capital of the Budapest,
Wiesel tell us that people still remained optimistic about their future. How can you explain
this optimism?
24. In this Chapter Wiesel uses images from nature. How does he use the sun?
25. What does this imagery of night suggest? Explain in detail.
“Night. No one prayed, so that the night would pass quickly. The stars were only sparks of
the fire which devoured us. Should that fire die out one day, there would be nothing left in
the sky but dead stars, dead eyes.” (p.8)
26. Given the fact that the title of this book is Night, what do you suppose a major theme in this
work will be?
27. A memoir is a story of one’s life told by the person similar to an autobiography. Describe
the tone of this memoir, and speculate on why Wiesel chooses to use this tone.
28. Identify each of the steps in the German plan, and point out how the cunning of the
German plan and the people’s human need for optimism in the face of danger led the Jews
of Sighet to the transports to Auschwitz?
Chapter 2
1. After several days of the travel, what did the prisoners finally realize?
2. Wiesel’s description of Madame Schachter, “she looked like a withered tree in a cornfield’s is
an example of what figure of speech?
3. What happened to Madame Schachter, and what did she do?
4. Madame Schachter’s hysterical screaming of “Fire! Fire!” is an example of what literary
device?
5. How did this affect those in the cattle car with her?
6. When prisoners were finally unloaded from the train, where were they? What was significant
about the time?
Chapter 3
1. Immediately after the Jews were unloaded from the train, what do the German officers do?
2. The men were then marched before Dr. Josef Mengele. What did he do? What was his
purpose?
3. What did another prisoner say would happen to Elie’s group?
4. When some of the younger men wanted to rush the guards, even if they died in the effort,
what did the older people counsel?
5. What did Elie witness while he was standing in line? What was his reaction to what he saw?
6. When Elie realized that he and his father may be burned, what plan did he revise?
7. The scene of Wiesel and his father approaching the inferno is particularly vivid. How is such
artistry achieved?
8. What did Elie revolt against?
9. One way an author has to effectively emphasize a point is through selective repetition of a
word phrase. What phrase does Wiesel employ to highlight the horror of his first night in the
concentration camp?
10. List the things that Wiesel says he shall never forget?
11. Another method of emphasis is through the use of imagery. What images are used
frequently throughout?
12. Elie and his father are spared from the flames. What happened to them next in the course
of their processing at Auschwitz?
13. This marked the end of Elie’s first night at Auschwitz. What natural sign marked the
beginning of the next day? What does Elie tell us of the change in himself?
14. Why did Elie berate himself so severely?
15. Where were Elie and his father marched to?
16. What was Elie’s first impression of Auschwitz?
17. What was the unusual about the prisoner in charge of their barracks?
18. The next day, the prisoners underwent a last step in their admission process. What was it?
19. Who did Elie meet after several days at the camp?
20. What did Stein want?
21. How did Elie respond to Stein’s request for information?
22. Since the prisoner in charge of their block was kind, and since there was no work to be
done, Elie and his father tried to avoid being transported anywhere else. How were they able
to avoid being transported?
23. Why was the prisoner in charge of their block replaced? Find the ironic statement on page
41.
24. Stein continued to visit the Wiesels, but suddenly they no longer saw him again. What
happened to Stein?
25. How did some religious Jews see their troubles? How did Elie feel about God?
26. Finally, Elie and his father were moved from their barracks. Where were they taken?
ENGLISH II DeLong
Chapter 4
1. How did the new camp appear to Elie?
2. As part of their medical examinations, prisoners were examined by a dentist. What
was he looking for?
3. After several days, Elie and his father were assigned to a work detail. What were they
to do?
4. What potential problems were there in this job?
5. Why was Elie called to the dentist?
6. How did Elie avoid having his tooth pulled?
7. Why was Elie so pleased about saving his gold crown?
8. What finally happened to the dentist and why?
9. What happened to Elie one day at the factory?
10. Who cleaned the blood from Elie and soothed him with kind German words? What
was unusual about her?
11. Elie tells of meeting this same woman many years later in Paris. What important
question did he ask her, and what was her reply?
12. What else did Idek do to the Wiesels? How did Elie resond?
13. What did Franek, the Polish foreman, want from Elie? What was Elie’s response?
14. How did the foreman get revenge on Elie and his father for refusing to give up the
gold tooth?
15. How did Elie try to stop the beatings? Was he successful?
16. What did Elie finally do? What was the irony in all of this?
17. All of the Kapos were also prisoners, and most were Jewish, are you surprised about
how cruel and greedy they were?
18. Why did Elie’s unit have to go to the warehouse on a Sunday, even though they
were not required to work?
19. How did Idek punish Elie for spying on him?
20. Why was a prisoner shot during an Allied air raid on the prison camp?
21. Why were the prisoners happy about the air raid even though they might have been
killed by the bombs?
22. One day, the prisoners were told that soup would not be distributed until after roll
call. Why was this?
23. What other public execution does Wiesel write about?
24. Why was this execution particularly cruel?
ENGLISH II DeLong
Chapter 5
1. What literary devices does Wiesel use to illustrate his disillusionment with God?
2. Wiesel’s description of himself as “ashes” is an example of which figure of speech?
What does the term suggest?
3. Wiesel’s assertion that man (and thus Wiesel) himself is stronger than God is an
example of what literary device?
4. During Yom Kippur, what did the prisoners debate?
5. What “gift” did the Germans have for the prisoners for the New Year?
6. The head of Elie’s block gave some words of advice to the prisoners to improve
their chances and avoid being selected. What did he say?
7. When Elie’s number was not written down for selection what joke did his friend
make?
8. What did the head of the block tell everyone after the selection process was over?
Why did he say this?
9. Several days later though, some of the prisoners were told that they were not to
report to work but would instead stay in camp. Who were these prisoners?
10. What was to become of these men?
11. What did Elie’s father give to Elie, and what did Elie ironically call it?
12. What happened to Elie’s father?
13. Why was Akiba Drumer chosen for selection according to Elie?
14. What did Akiba Drumer ask of his fellow prisoners?
15. Why do you suppose they never honored the request?
16. When winter came to the camp, what happened to Elie?
17. What was the Doctor’s diagnosis?
18. Was the operation successful?
19. Two days after Elie’s operation, what rumor began circulating around the camp?
20. Why was this good news for the prisoners?
21. The prisoners had heard similar rumors in the past. Why were they particularly
hopeful this time?
22. Why did Elie’s hospital neighbor refuse to be fooled?
23. What bad news did the prisoners receive that day?
24. What choice did Elie and his father have to make that day? What was their decision?
25. What became of those people who stayed behind in the hospital?
ENGLISH II DeLong
Chapter 6
1. As the prisoners ran through the night, what orders were the S.S. guards under?
2. “Death wrapped itself around me…it stuck to me” is an example of what literary
device? (pg.82)
3. Although Elie felt that he could have easily given up and died, why did he run on?
4. Given the situation and their physical condition, what was remarkable about their
night’s journey?
5. Some time later, Elie was awakened by his father. Why would he not let Elie sleep?
6. What agreement did Elie and his father reach?
7. Who was Rabbi Eliahou looking for?
8. Elie told the Rabbi that he had not seen his son, but later remembered that he had
indeed seen the boy. What else did Elie remember about the Rabbi’s son?
9. What did Elie do in response?
10. The second night’s march is different from the first in what ways?
11. When the prisoners finally reached their destination of Gleiwitz, a new danger arose.
What was it?
12. Who was the boy underneath Elie?
13. Some time during the night, what did Elie hear?
14. After three days, what happened?
15. How did some of the prisoners try to distance themselves from the grim reality of
their existence?
16. This chapter is about hardship, perseverance, caring, and not caring. List some
quotes to support this generalization. Make sure to cite them!
Chapter 7
1. After the transport train stopped in the middle of the field, what orders were given?
2. How did the prisoners respond? How did Elie save his father’s life?
3. How long did they travel?
4. At one stop, a workman tossed in a piece of bread. What happened? How can you
account for the prisoner’s actions?
5. What happened next?
6. Why do you suppose Elie then tells the story about the woman throwing coins to the
natives?
7. Throughout this chapter, how does Elie view the average German civilian?
8. What scene did Elie witness? At the end of this scene why do you suppose Elie tells
us that he was fifteen?
9. During the last day of their journey, what happened?
10. Of the 100 men who had gotten on the train with Elie, how many got out? What
does the death of Meir Katz suggest?
11. Where did the remaining prisoners finally arrive?
ENGLISH II DeLong
Chapter 8
1. After they arrived, the prisoners were supposed to shower. What did Elie’s father
want to do?
2. Why did Elie shout at his father?
3. What finally forced them inside?
4. The next day when Elie went in search of his father, what was his fleeting hope?
5. Weakened further by dysentery, the father could not get out of his bunk? What
further injury did some of the inmates do him?
6. What advice did the block leader give Elie?
7. Of the advice, Elie says—“He was right, I thought in the most secret region of my
heart…” In what sense was the block leader right?
8. After lying ill for over a week, what finally happened to Elie’s father?
Chapter 9
1. How long was Elie’s stay at Buchenwald? What were his thoughts during his time?
2. How did the prisoners know that the end of the war was near?
3. What did the prisoners think was going to happen to them?
4. What did the Germans decide to do with the prisoners?
5. Before all the prisoners could be evacuated, though, what happened?
6. Several hours later, what happened?
7. What comments did Wiesel make about the prisoners’ actions after liberation?
8. What happened to Elie after liberation?
9. What does the last line of the book suggest?
10. Why do you suppose that Wiesel always refers to his persecutors Germans or S.S.,
but never as Nazis?
The following questions are meant to help you focus your reading for the upcoming summer reading test. If you can answer the questions after reading each chapter, you will clearly understand the novel and be prepared—perhaps over prepared—for the test on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Chapter 1
1. Who was Moshe the Beadle?
2. What does Elie Wiesel tell the reader of Moshe?
3. How does Wiesel describe himself as a boy of 12?
4. How does Wiesel describe his father?
5. Why did Elie’s father prohibit him from studying the Cabala?
6. How did Wiesel realize his wish to study the Cabala?
7. What happened to Moshe?
8. Several months later, Elie saw Moshe the Beadle again. What story did Moshe tell?
9. How was Moshe able to escape?
10. How had Moshe changed as a result of his experience?
11. How did people in the village react to Moshe’s story? Why do you suppose they reacted this
way?
12. In the Spring of 1944, what political changes occurred in Hungary?
13. What was the attitude of the Jews of Sighet?
14. What literary device does Wiesel employ to emphasize the foolish optimism and denial of
facts of the Jews living in Sighet? How is it used?
15. After the Germans arrived in Sighet, what was the prevailing attitude among the residents?
16. After Passover, Wiesel says, “the curtain rose.” (p. 8) What does this refer to? What
happened?
17. What was bitterly ironic about the comments that Wiesel’s father made regarding the
wearing of the yellow star?
18. What was the Germans’ next step?
19. How did the Jews react to this?
20. The Germans had other plans for the Jews of Sighet, however. What were those plans?
21. The Wiesel family was among the last to leave the large ghetto. Where were they sent?
22. Where did they go?
23. Despite all that happened, even after the Germans entered the capital of the Budapest,
Wiesel tell us that people still remained optimistic about their future. How can you explain
this optimism?
24. In this Chapter Wiesel uses images from nature. How does he use the sun?
25. What does this imagery of night suggest? Explain in detail.
“Night. No one prayed, so that the night would pass quickly. The stars were only sparks of
the fire which devoured us. Should that fire die out one day, there would be nothing left in
the sky but dead stars, dead eyes.” (p.8)
26. Given the fact that the title of this book is Night, what do you suppose a major theme in this
work will be?
27. A memoir is a story of one’s life told by the person similar to an autobiography. Describe
the tone of this memoir, and speculate on why Wiesel chooses to use this tone.
28. Identify each of the steps in the German plan, and point out how the cunning of the
German plan and the people’s human need for optimism in the face of danger led the Jews
of Sighet to the transports to Auschwitz?
Chapter 2
1. After several days of the travel, what did the prisoners finally realize?
2. Wiesel’s description of Madame Schachter, “she looked like a withered tree in a cornfield’s is
an example of what figure of speech?
3. What happened to Madame Schachter, and what did she do?
4. Madame Schachter’s hysterical screaming of “Fire! Fire!” is an example of what literary
device?
5. How did this affect those in the cattle car with her?
6. When prisoners were finally unloaded from the train, where were they? What was significant
about the time?
Chapter 3
1. Immediately after the Jews were unloaded from the train, what do the German officers do?
2. The men were then marched before Dr. Josef Mengele. What did he do? What was his
purpose?
3. What did another prisoner say would happen to Elie’s group?
4. When some of the younger men wanted to rush the guards, even if they died in the effort,
what did the older people counsel?
5. What did Elie witness while he was standing in line? What was his reaction to what he saw?
6. When Elie realized that he and his father may be burned, what plan did he revise?
7. The scene of Wiesel and his father approaching the inferno is particularly vivid. How is such
artistry achieved?
8. What did Elie revolt against?
9. One way an author has to effectively emphasize a point is through selective repetition of a
word phrase. What phrase does Wiesel employ to highlight the horror of his first night in the
concentration camp?
10. List the things that Wiesel says he shall never forget?
11. Another method of emphasis is through the use of imagery. What images are used
frequently throughout?
12. Elie and his father are spared from the flames. What happened to them next in the course
of their processing at Auschwitz?
13. This marked the end of Elie’s first night at Auschwitz. What natural sign marked the
beginning of the next day? What does Elie tell us of the change in himself?
14. Why did Elie berate himself so severely?
15. Where were Elie and his father marched to?
16. What was Elie’s first impression of Auschwitz?
17. What was the unusual about the prisoner in charge of their barracks?
18. The next day, the prisoners underwent a last step in their admission process. What was it?
19. Who did Elie meet after several days at the camp?
20. What did Stein want?
21. How did Elie respond to Stein’s request for information?
22. Since the prisoner in charge of their block was kind, and since there was no work to be
done, Elie and his father tried to avoid being transported anywhere else. How were they able
to avoid being transported?
23. Why was the prisoner in charge of their block replaced? Find the ironic statement on page
41.
24. Stein continued to visit the Wiesels, but suddenly they no longer saw him again. What
happened to Stein?
25. How did some religious Jews see their troubles? How did Elie feel about God?
26. Finally, Elie and his father were moved from their barracks. Where were they taken?
ENGLISH II DeLong
Chapter 4
1. How did the new camp appear to Elie?
2. As part of their medical examinations, prisoners were examined by a dentist. What
was he looking for?
3. After several days, Elie and his father were assigned to a work detail. What were they
to do?
4. What potential problems were there in this job?
5. Why was Elie called to the dentist?
6. How did Elie avoid having his tooth pulled?
7. Why was Elie so pleased about saving his gold crown?
8. What finally happened to the dentist and why?
9. What happened to Elie one day at the factory?
10. Who cleaned the blood from Elie and soothed him with kind German words? What
was unusual about her?
11. Elie tells of meeting this same woman many years later in Paris. What important
question did he ask her, and what was her reply?
12. What else did Idek do to the Wiesels? How did Elie resond?
13. What did Franek, the Polish foreman, want from Elie? What was Elie’s response?
14. How did the foreman get revenge on Elie and his father for refusing to give up the
gold tooth?
15. How did Elie try to stop the beatings? Was he successful?
16. What did Elie finally do? What was the irony in all of this?
17. All of the Kapos were also prisoners, and most were Jewish, are you surprised about
how cruel and greedy they were?
18. Why did Elie’s unit have to go to the warehouse on a Sunday, even though they
were not required to work?
19. How did Idek punish Elie for spying on him?
20. Why was a prisoner shot during an Allied air raid on the prison camp?
21. Why were the prisoners happy about the air raid even though they might have been
killed by the bombs?
22. One day, the prisoners were told that soup would not be distributed until after roll
call. Why was this?
23. What other public execution does Wiesel write about?
24. Why was this execution particularly cruel?
ENGLISH II DeLong
Chapter 5
1. What literary devices does Wiesel use to illustrate his disillusionment with God?
2. Wiesel’s description of himself as “ashes” is an example of which figure of speech?
What does the term suggest?
3. Wiesel’s assertion that man (and thus Wiesel) himself is stronger than God is an
example of what literary device?
4. During Yom Kippur, what did the prisoners debate?
5. What “gift” did the Germans have for the prisoners for the New Year?
6. The head of Elie’s block gave some words of advice to the prisoners to improve
their chances and avoid being selected. What did he say?
7. When Elie’s number was not written down for selection what joke did his friend
make?
8. What did the head of the block tell everyone after the selection process was over?
Why did he say this?
9. Several days later though, some of the prisoners were told that they were not to
report to work but would instead stay in camp. Who were these prisoners?
10. What was to become of these men?
11. What did Elie’s father give to Elie, and what did Elie ironically call it?
12. What happened to Elie’s father?
13. Why was Akiba Drumer chosen for selection according to Elie?
14. What did Akiba Drumer ask of his fellow prisoners?
15. Why do you suppose they never honored the request?
16. When winter came to the camp, what happened to Elie?
17. What was the Doctor’s diagnosis?
18. Was the operation successful?
19. Two days after Elie’s operation, what rumor began circulating around the camp?
20. Why was this good news for the prisoners?
21. The prisoners had heard similar rumors in the past. Why were they particularly
hopeful this time?
22. Why did Elie’s hospital neighbor refuse to be fooled?
23. What bad news did the prisoners receive that day?
24. What choice did Elie and his father have to make that day? What was their decision?
25. What became of those people who stayed behind in the hospital?
ENGLISH II DeLong
Chapter 6
1. As the prisoners ran through the night, what orders were the S.S. guards under?
2. “Death wrapped itself around me…it stuck to me” is an example of what literary
device? (pg.82)
3. Although Elie felt that he could have easily given up and died, why did he run on?
4. Given the situation and their physical condition, what was remarkable about their
night’s journey?
5. Some time later, Elie was awakened by his father. Why would he not let Elie sleep?
6. What agreement did Elie and his father reach?
7. Who was Rabbi Eliahou looking for?
8. Elie told the Rabbi that he had not seen his son, but later remembered that he had
indeed seen the boy. What else did Elie remember about the Rabbi’s son?
9. What did Elie do in response?
10. The second night’s march is different from the first in what ways?
11. When the prisoners finally reached their destination of Gleiwitz, a new danger arose.
What was it?
12. Who was the boy underneath Elie?
13. Some time during the night, what did Elie hear?
14. After three days, what happened?
15. How did some of the prisoners try to distance themselves from the grim reality of
their existence?
16. This chapter is about hardship, perseverance, caring, and not caring. List some
quotes to support this generalization. Make sure to cite them!
Chapter 7
1. After the transport train stopped in the middle of the field, what orders were given?
2. How did the prisoners respond? How did Elie save his father’s life?
3. How long did they travel?
4. At one stop, a workman tossed in a piece of bread. What happened? How can you
account for the prisoner’s actions?
5. What happened next?
6. Why do you suppose Elie then tells the story about the woman throwing coins to the
natives?
7. Throughout this chapter, how does Elie view the average German civilian?
8. What scene did Elie witness? At the end of this scene why do you suppose Elie tells
us that he was fifteen?
9. During the last day of their journey, what happened?
10. Of the 100 men who had gotten on the train with Elie, how many got out? What
does the death of Meir Katz suggest?
11. Where did the remaining prisoners finally arrive?
ENGLISH II DeLong
Chapter 8
1. After they arrived, the prisoners were supposed to shower. What did Elie’s father
want to do?
2. Why did Elie shout at his father?
3. What finally forced them inside?
4. The next day when Elie went in search of his father, what was his fleeting hope?
5. Weakened further by dysentery, the father could not get out of his bunk? What
further injury did some of the inmates do him?
6. What advice did the block leader give Elie?
7. Of the advice, Elie says—“He was right, I thought in the most secret region of my
heart…” In what sense was the block leader right?
8. After lying ill for over a week, what finally happened to Elie’s father?
Chapter 9
1. How long was Elie’s stay at Buchenwald? What were his thoughts during his time?
2. How did the prisoners know that the end of the war was near?
3. What did the prisoners think was going to happen to them?
4. What did the Germans decide to do with the prisoners?
5. Before all the prisoners could be evacuated, though, what happened?
6. Several hours later, what happened?
7. What comments did Wiesel make about the prisoners’ actions after liberation?
8. What happened to Elie after liberation?
9. What does the last line of the book suggest?
10. Why do you suppose that Wiesel always refers to his persecutors Germans or S.S.,
but never as Nazis?
Summer Reading: NIGHT by Elie Wiesel Overview
I have posted an overview document to Renweb under web documents.
Welcome Class of 2015
The beginning of our new school year is almost here!!! Summer passed quickly, but was refreshing, so here we go again! I hope that you are looking forward to this new phase of your young life! Make the most of it, because it passes in the blink of an eye! Here is your supply list for English I:
1) binder dedicated to English with the following sections and headers:
Grammar
Writing
Vocabulary
Literature
2) BLACK pens...this is for all papers/tests/quizzes that are turned in to me. Homework can be done in pencil or other ink colors.
3) BLUE pencils for proofing/editing
4) highlighters of various colors
5) loose leaf paper: college ruled
6) post it notes
7) standard 3 x 5 notecards (any color)
The following items are good to have, but not a requirement:
8) flash drive
9) email account: google/gmail preferred
10) dictionary/thesaurus (I have a limited number in the classroom)
Looking forward!
1) binder dedicated to English with the following sections and headers:
Grammar
Writing
Vocabulary
Literature
2) BLACK pens...this is for all papers/tests/quizzes that are turned in to me. Homework can be done in pencil or other ink colors.
3) BLUE pencils for proofing/editing
4) highlighters of various colors
5) loose leaf paper: college ruled
6) post it notes
7) standard 3 x 5 notecards (any color)
The following items are good to have, but not a requirement:
8) flash drive
9) email account: google/gmail preferred
10) dictionary/thesaurus (I have a limited number in the classroom)
Looking forward!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Romeo and Juliet Literary Device flashcards
http://quizlet.com/2304386/romeo-and-juliet-literary-devices-flash-cards/
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