Eliezer's Struggle:
* Initially, Eliezer is a devout Jewish boy who deeply believes in God and the goodness of humanity. He is filled with hope and a strong sense of morality.
* As he endures the horrors of the concentration camps, Eliezer's faith is tested. The constant dehumanization, the loss of loved ones, the deprivation, and the witnessing of unspeakable acts of violence chip away at his innocence.
* Eliezer experiences a gradual transformation. He becomes more hardened, cynical, and ultimately, desperate for survival. His focus shifts from spiritual ideals to the primal need to simply stay alive.
The Question of Escape:
* While Eliezer does not fully succumb to brutality, he doesn't escape it entirely. He makes choices that could be seen as morally ambiguous, driven by his desire to survive.
* He witnesses the brutality of his fellow prisoners and even engages in some acts of self-preservation that he would have never imagined before.
* Ultimately, the novel leaves the reader with a sense of profound loss and the agonizing question of whether anyone can truly emerge from such horrific experiences unscathed.
Key Points:
* *Night* is not a story of heroes and villains. It is a raw and unflinching portrayal of the human psyche under extreme pressure.
* The novel challenges us to confront the depths of human capacity for both good and evil.
* It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and the fight against dehumanization.
Eliezer's journey is a powerful reminder that even the best of us are vulnerable to the corrupting influence of evil. While he doesn't become a brute himself, he does undergo a profound transformation that leaves him forever changed.