Question: Wiesel states that he sympathized with Job. After reading The Book of Job, how would you describe the similarities/differences between Wiesel and Job and their relationship to God? Compare the reactions of Job and Wiesel to their suffering and to the way their suffering affected their fate.
Response: In a way, I believe that Wiesel and Job were very similar. For instance, they were both innocent. Job took care of the sick and elderly, and Wiesel looked out for his family above himself. In both cases, one could say that they were outstanding people. Another way that they are similar, is that they had both incurred what is described as 'the wrath of God' without having done anything that would warrant it necessary.
The situations, however, are extremely different. Job praised God still, even after he had killed his family, crops, and animals. It was not until he was given boils that he began to break down. Wiesel on the other hand was brought to a concentration camp in which he faced turmoil that he had never imagined could possibly exist. In his situation, where even the most widely known religious figures were giving in, it is possible to see how he might question what he or any of the other prisoners had done wrong to deserve such a fate. Also, in The Book of Job, Job's friends are intent on getting him to confess some sort of sin. However, in Night, Wiesel is not alone in his feelings and so goes unquestioned.
Job had reacted as though he were very upset that God would think to punish him when he hadn't done anything wrong. He was very adamant about wanting to present his case in front of God to try and earn his love back. This affected his fate a little, because God had not planned on being questioned. On the contrary, in Night, we get the feeling that Wiesel is extremely angry at God for what had happened to the point of calling into question his very existence. I do not see how this coincides with Job's fate however, because while Job was harshly reprimanded Wiesel did not receive anything like it.
("There's got to be a morning after..."
- Tia Lambert '13
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ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you!
ReplyDeleteI think Job and Wiesel are extremely different.
Job believed in God and praised whatever happens, however Wiesel has doubt about the existence of God. Because he and his family sent to concentration camp and saw lots deaths. They ask themselves, “Where is God?"