Night
Journal Responses
As you read Night, please focus on how Ellie Wiesel’s experiences are similar to the survivors featured in the documentary, The Last Days. Some passages may strike you as being especially significant, interesting, poetic, emotional or unusual. Although you do not share the same experience, perhaps you identify with some of the emotions or questions you read about.
You will choose between 10 to 12 passages (not including the overall response) and respond to them individually in a double-sided journal entry. You will not need to recopy the passages; simply record the page number of the excerpt, the first couple of words of the excerpt, and the last couple of words of the excerpt.
The following are the themes we have identified:
1. Identity – How we see ourselves (especially in relationship to family, community, country, and faith)
2. Hard to Believe… -- How does the concept of disbelief affect Wiesel’s experience?
3. Dehumanization – not seeing someone as human
4. Survival – What keeps people alive?
5. Counterpoint – moments of help or hope
6. Choiceless Choices – decisions made without real alternatives; choices you have to make in despair
7. Responsibility – How was this able to happen? As humans, in what ways do we share a collective responsibility for injustice?
In your responses:
· Explain how the passage connects to the theme/s.
· What is going on in the story?
· Do you notice effective uses of literary devices? Devices used: symbolism, metaphor, simile, imagery, irony, repetition, characterization, and foreshadowing.
· What does this passage tell you about a particular character?
Example Entry:
Page # / Excerpt: / Your Response:(Page 4) “Why do you cry when you pray?” …
“I don’t know.” / This connects to the theme about identity. Ellie’s religion is so important to him, that he cries when he prays – he feels so emotional about his religion. This is the most important thing in his life.
All students must respond to the memoir as a whole (approximately 1 page typed, double spaced):
Your overall response to Wiesel’s memoir, Night will describe your experience of reading the book. What was the experience like reading the book in one day? What is your overall feeling about the book and the importance of the book to you as well as the rest of the world? What is the purpose of writing such a book? If you were to meet Elie Wiesel, what would you say to him? What questions would you want to ask him?
Or
Write a letter to Ellie Wiesel telling him about how his memoir affected you.
You should have at least four or five sentences per passage. Please see the rubric below for grading:
A = Detailed, meaningful passages, plot and quotation selections. Thoughtful interpretation
and commentary about the text; avoids clichés. Includes comments about literary devices such as
theme, irony, imagery, conflict, etc., and how each contributes to the meaning of the text. Makes insightful personal connections and asks thought-provoking, insightful questions. Coverage
of text is complete and thorough. Writing is neat and carefully organized; student has followed directions in the organization of the journal.
B = Less detailed, but good responses for selections. Some intelligent commentary; addresses some
thematic connections. Includes some literary devices, but less on how they contribute to the meaning.
Some personal connection; asks pertinent questions. Adequately addresses all parts of reading assignment. Journal is neat and readable; student has followed directions in the organization of journal.
C = Few good details from the text. Most of the commentary is vague, unsupported, or plot summary/
paraphrase. Some listing of literary elements; virtually no discussion on meaning. Limited personal connection; asks few, or obvious questions. Addresses most of the reading assignment, but is not very long or thorough. Journal is relatively neat, but may be difficult to read. Student has not followed all directions for organization. No page numbers.
D or F = Hardly any good details from the text. All notes are plot summary or paraphrase. Few literary
elements, virtually no discussion on meaning. Limited personal connections, no good questions. Limited coverage of the text; way too short. Did not follow directions in organizing journal; difficult to read.