Some of the most fabled stories of our time come from individuals overcoming impossible odds and surviving horrific situations. This is prevalent throughout the Holocaust. People are fascinated with this event in history because the survivors had to overcome immense odds. One, of many, of the more famous story about the Holocaust is Night by Elie Wiesel. Through this medium, Wiesel still manages to capture the horrors of the camps, despite the reader already knowing the story.
In addition to him having to overcome difficult odds in order to survive for himself, he also had to care for his weakening father. A similar situation occurs in A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, however, Ishmael accepts the situation and is able to defend himself. While they differ in their ability to defend themselves, they both relate in that they need to fight, both mentally and physically in order to survive. In both Night and A Long Way Gone, Ishmael Beah and Elie Wiesel are stripped of their identity and are forced to change and adapt in order to survive a new and hostile environment which changes them for the rest of their life.During the Holocaust, the prisoners were stripped on who they really are, due to no longer being able to express who they are. This is due to self-expression not being accepted in the camps.
All of the Holocaust prisoners were forced to wear the same exact clothing, with no exception. “We were handed winter clothing: striped shirts that were a bit heavier” (Wiesel 77). Most people represent themselves by wearing clothing that express themselves, but this restricts that expression. If any prisoner was seen showing any sign of individuality, they were punished with harsh beatings. “.a Kapo came in to check if, by chance, some.
.a. He, like Wiesel, does speeches for the people who want to listen to his wise words and amazing stories. Elie Wiesel and Ishamel Beah, as well as many others, had to change their character and who they are as a person simply to survive another day. They were stripped of a basic human right, their identity and had to adapt to this. They also had to change their morals and priorities in order to survive.
Even after all the hardships they face, how traumatizing the events were can be difficult to live with. During the events as well, they feel regret on how they could have avoided the entire situation. However, if they survive, they often become stronger and successful from the stories they tell and the lessons they learn. While many people enjoy criticizing how people could have done things better to survive, it is much easier said than done, just ask these people.
