Skip to main content

What is the foreshadowing for the quote "In front of us flames, In the air that smell of burning flesh" in Night?

This quote comes at the end of section two of Elie Wiesel's memoir Night. The Jews of Sighet have been transported by train from their homes to Birkenau, the reception center for the infamous Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz. As they arrive and step off the train they are greeted by the flames of the crematories and the smell of burning flesh. This scene is foreshadowed in the words of Madame Schächter who, from the...

This quote comes at the end of section two of Elie Wiesel's memoir Night. The Jews of Sighet have been transported by train from their homes to Birkenau, the reception center for the infamous Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz. As they arrive and step off the train they are greeted by the flames of the crematories and the smell of burning flesh. This scene is foreshadowed in the words of Madame Schächter who, from the beginning of the journey, has been screaming out that she sees fire and flames, but when the men look out the windows they see nothing:



"Look! Look at it! Fire! A terrible fire! Mercy! Oh, that fire!"


Some of the men pressed up against the bars. There was nothing there; only darkness.



Madame Schächter's cries leave the Jews uneasy as they try to convince themselves that she has simply gone crazy. They tie her up and gag her, but she breaks free and continues raving about the fire. Once they arrive at Birkenau, the flames come into view proving Madame Schäcter to be a prophetess. Once they disembark, Elie loses sight of Madame Schächter and her son. Like his mother and sisters, he never sees them again. Later, in section three, just as they turn away from the burning pit of flames they have been advancing to, Elie's father reminds him of Madame Schächter.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more