Dialectical journal practice

Critical Stance:  Wiesel chronicles the gradual dehumanization of the prisoners.

1. First, define “dehumanization” the process of depriving a person or group of positive human qualities
2. Then, describe the behavior of the various prisoners that shows their gradual transformation from their normal behavior as human beings. 
3. Last, describe the behavior of Eliezer, the changes that he notices and his response to them.

1) dehumanization is the process of depriving a person or group of positive human qualities

2)The prisoners no longer trust anyone and believe that surviving is every man for themselves.  Their once friends and family meant nothing to them anymore.  One son even killed his own father just to get a piece of bread.  


3)One of the most drastic changes that Eliezer notices about himself is that he is no longer affected by violence.  Eliezer saw his father get struck right in front of him and it didn't even phase him.  After that he began to question how much the camp changed him. 

1. Dialectical Journal Entries

1. Find quotations for each of the comments you have made in question #1

"Dozens of starving men fought each other to the death for a few crumbs." (pg. 95)"I now took the interest in anything except my daily plate of soup and my crust of slate bread" (pg.50)"Without passion, without haste, they slaughtered their prisoners."Felled to the ground, stunned with blows, the old man cried: ‘Meir. Meir, my boy! Don’t you recognize me? I’m your father...you’re killing your father! I’ve got some bread...for you too...for you too…” (96)