Encountering Evil: Night

Lesson 17
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ELA

Unit 2

8th Grade

Lesson 17 of 28

Objective


Explain how specific incidents in Night reveal aspects of characters, as well as larger truths about human nature.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Night by Elie Wiesel  pp. 98 – 112

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A Note for Teachers


  • Today's lesson contains sensitive content that may be upsetting or triggering for students. Emphasize respectful communication, critical thinking, and context understanding prior to engaging in today's reading. Death can be a very difficult topic for students. Eliezer's complex relationship to the idea of death is a central part of understanding this text, but it should be addressed with sensitivity to your students' own experiences and the emotions the conversation may bring up. Wiesel's father's death is difficult for any reader, but may be particularly painful for students who have lost family members.
  • As a part of intellectual preparation, revisit student answers in the Lesson 1 Anticipation Guide (G8, U2), paying particular attention to questions 1, 3, 4 and 8 when preparing for the Key Questions, and question 4 when preparing for the Target Task. Based on student responses, determine how to guide students through the conversations related to today's lesson.

Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does Eliezer feel about his father's illness and death? How does he use thoughts, dialogue, and actions to communicate his emotions? Cite at least 2 pieces of evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • On pages 100–102, Wiesel describes an incident where German laborers throw bread at the prisoners. What does this scene reveal about the laborers? What does this scene reveal about the prisoners? What does it reveal about human nature? Support your answer with at least two pieces of evidence from the text.

  • On page 100, Wiesel recalls an incident he witnessed long after he was freed from the concentration camp. Why does he include this story? Support your answer with two pieces of specific evidence from the text.

Vocabulary


There aren't any new text-based vocabulary words in today's lesson.

Homework


Tonight's reading contains sensitive content that may be upsetting or triggering for students.

To ensure that students are prepared for the next lesson, have students complete the following reading for homework. Use guidance from the next lesson to identify any additional language or background support students may need while independently engaging with the text.

  • Book: Night by Elie Wiesel  pp. 113 – 115 — pp. vii–x (end at "....the unspeakable, 'it' is still not right"); pp. xiv–xv

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Why doesn't Wiesel write about his experiences between his father's death and the liberation of the camps?

  • What is Eliezer's main concern at this point? What is the only thing he cares about after being liberated?

  • What is one reason that Wiesel gives for writing Night?

  • Why did Wiesel consider language to be an "obstacle"? (p. ix)

  • What role does "memory" play in Wiesel's decision to write about his experience?

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Common Core Standards


  • RI.8.3 — Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).

Supporting Standards

L.8.6
RI.8.1
RI.8.2
RI.8.4
RI.8.10
SL.8.1
SL.8.6
W.8.1
W.8.1.a
W.8.1.b
W.8.9
W.8.9.b
W.8.10

Next

Analyze the preface to Night to determine Wiesel’s purpose for writing.

Lesson 18
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