Encountering Evil: Night

Lesson 9
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ELA

Unit 2

8th Grade

Lesson 9 of 28

Objective


Draw conclusions about the passengers in the cattle car—and human nature more generally—based on the incident with Mrs. Schäcter.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Night by Elie Wiesel  pp. 23 – 34 — end at "Do you remember Mrs. Schäcter, in the train?"

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

In what ways is Mrs. Schäcter’s story similar to Moishe the Beadle’s? What does their treatment suggest about human nature? Provide evidence from the first two chapters of the text to support your answer.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


Close Read Questions

  • How do the passengers in the cattle car initially respond to Mrs. Schäcter? What impact do Mrs. Schäcter’s words and warnings have on the passengers in the car? Support your answer with two pieces of evidence from pages 24-25 of the text, and use the word "conflagration" in your response.

  • How do the passengers react to Mrs. Schäcter as time progresses? What does their reaction reveal about them, and their state of mind? Support your answer with two pieces of evidence from page 26 of the text.

  • On page 29, Wiesel writes, "The beloved objects that we had carried with us from place to place were now left behind in the wagon, and with them, finally, our illusions." Explain what he means by this line, providing evidence from today’s reading to support your answer. 

Discussion Questions

  • Do you think that optimism or pessimism is a more useful emotion/perspective on the world? What is the difference between optimism and delusion?

Homework


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. 34 – 46

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What "choice" does the SS officer say the prisoners have in Auschwitz? 

  • How is Eliezer’s father treated when he asks another inmate where the toilet is?

  • How are the prisoners treated by the young Polish man who is in charge of their block? What eventually happens to the man?

  • What is the significance of "A-7713"?

  • What lie does Eliezer tell Stein? Why?

  • Who is Akiba Drumer? What does he tell the other prisoners?

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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.8.1.c
W.8.4
W.8.9
W.8.9.b
W.8.10
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Lesson 8

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Lesson 10

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