Quotes highlighting the strength and resilience of the bond:
* "My father was my sole concern." (Chapter 4) This shows how Eliezer's primary focus in the face of unimaginable hardship is his father's well-being.
* "I had nothing left to give him, nothing but a little pity." (Chapter 4) This showcases the immense love and concern Eliezer still feels for his father despite the harsh conditions.
* "He was still alive. And I was still alive. My father's presence was my only hope." (Chapter 5) This illustrates the profound sense of hope Eliezer derives from his father's continued survival, even in the face of near-certain death.
Quotes showing the strain and challenges of their relationship:
* "He was no longer my father, but a weak, old man, defenseless, whom I had to drag along, to protect." (Chapter 5) This shows the reversal of roles and the difficult reality of Eliezer having to care for his weakened father.
* "For a moment I saw him, my father, in the guise of a man I did not recognize. His shoulders were hunched, his body emaciated, his face like a death mask. It was the face of a stranger. He had changed." (Chapter 6) This portrays the devastating effects of the Holocaust on Shlomo, rendering him unrecognizable to his son.
* "I was afraid of his silence. I tried to talk to him, to shake him out of his torpor, but he remained silent. He had ceased to see me." (Chapter 7) This showcases the profound impact of the trauma and the emotional distance that arises between father and son.
Quotes capturing the enduring love and loss:
* "I looked at my father, and I could no longer bear to look at him. I had no right to hate him. Yet I was filled with bitterness, with a hatred that was beyond words. I was alone, utterly alone." (Chapter 7) This captures the immense emotional burden and conflicting feelings Eliezer experiences as his father's health deteriorates.
* "And the last vestiges of my childhood, the last traces of innocence, disappeared." (Chapter 8) This marks the poignant loss of innocence and the shattering of Eliezer's world with his father's death.
These quotes reveal the multifaceted nature of the relationship between Eliezer and his father during the Holocaust. It illustrates the strength of their bond, the challenges they faced together, and the profound impact of their shared experiences. Despite the hardships, their relationship serves as a testament to the enduring power of love and family ties even in the face of unimaginable adversity.