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Examples Of Diction In Night By Elie Wiesel

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Night by Elie Wiesel is an autobiography about his experience during the Holocaust when he was fifteen years old. Elie is fifteen when the tragedy begins. He is taken with his family through many trials and then is separated from everyone besides his father. They are left with only each other, of which they are able to confide in and look to for support. The story is told through a series of creative writing practices. Mr. Wiesel uses strong diction, and syntax as well as a combination of stylistic devices. This autobiography allows the readers to understand a personal, first-hand account of the terrible events of the holocaust. The ways that diction is used in Night helps with this understanding. Elie Wiesel uses words that are relevant …show more content…

These are used to show drama, side thought, and emotion. “‘The Red Army is advancing with great strides… Hitler will not be able to harm us, even if he wants to…’” (page 8) The author uses ellipses to show side thought, which means that more was said or thought, but the most important information was given to the reader. Wiesel also uses short, and simple sentences to add drama. “I was sixteen.” (page 102) During this part in the story Elie Wiesel had just witnessed a father die at the hands of his son, then his son die at the hands of others. He tells his audience that he is sixteen when this happens. This fact surprises readers and adds both drama, and sympathy. However, other emotions are also invoked in this story such as Anger. “They pray before you! They praise your name!”(page 68) By adding exclamations the author adds intense emotion. This scene creates upsetting emotions for the reader, and also reveals Wiesel's anger with his situation. Wiesel is angry and frustrated at God for everything that he has been put through. He is upset that others are still praying to God, even when God has done nothing to help them. The way that he structures his sentences give a sense of style to his …show more content…

Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky. Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams into ashes.Never shall I forget these things, even were I condemned to live as long as God himself. Never. (page 34) Elie Wiesel has experienced a horrible tragedy. When he repeatedly says over and over “Never shall I forget…” he emphasizes his fear of what he has seen. He drills into the reader how traumatized he is. This creates sympathy and makes the reader feel worse for Mr. Wiesel. Dramatic irony gives the reader an advantage over the characters. This form of irony is where the reader knows something that the characters do not. “(Poor father! Of what then did you die?)” (page 11) During this scene in the book Elie's father has given the news to the other Jews that they are all required to wear the yellow star. His father said “‘ The yellow star? So what? It’s not lethal…’” (page 11) This is ironic because the star is what killed nearly all of the Jewish people. Hate killed a countless number of innocent people because of their beliefs. This is the dramatic Irony. Everything that Elie Wiesel uses to create his autobiography makes it more that just a page taught

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