Essay Prompts

Today we discussed the rhetorical strategies of ethnocentrism and xenophobia.

As promised:
1. Discuss the role of symbolism in NIGHT and MAUS. Explain how the books use this rhetorical strategy to convey deeper meaning and how this symbolism helped to relay events in the works. Be sure to note the distinction between the literal and figurative symbolism in the memoirs.
2. In his memoir, NIGHT, Wiesel writes about two contrasting pieces of advice he received about how to survive in the camps. One was from a young Pole, a prisoner in charge of one of the prison blocks, and the other was from the head of one of the blocks at Buchenwald who spoke to Wiesel as his father lay dying. Compare the advice and the effect the rhetoric of this advice had on Wiesel.
3. Spiegleman’s MAUS is a memoir conveyed largely through drawings, while Wiesel uses words to convey his experience in NIGHT. Which method is more powerful in sharing the message with the audience?
4. Compare and contrast Elie’s relationship with God to his relationship with his father.
5. Explain the various meanings of “night” in NIGHT.

You're welcome.

p.s. Think about how to incorporate the rhetorical strategies we discussed today in your analysis tomorrow.