Cassandra is a figure from Greek mythology known for her prophetic abilities, but cursed to never be believed. The concept of Cassandra resonates with the experience of the Jews in the Holocaust, particularly their inability to convince the world of the impending danger and the suffering they were facing.
The Book of Job explores the themes of suffering, faith, and the nature of God. Eliezer's experiences in the concentration camps, particularly his questioning of God in the face of unimaginable cruelty, directly parallel the struggles of Job.
Here's how these concepts manifest in "Night":
* Cassandra: The Jews, throughout the novel, desperately try to warn others about the Nazi's intentions, but their pleas fall on deaf ears. The world largely ignores their pleas, making them eerily similar to Cassandra, whose warnings were ignored.
* Book of Job: Eliezer, like Job, faces immense suffering and questions his faith. He struggles to reconcile the existence of a benevolent God with the horrors he witnesses. His faith is shaken, but ultimately he clings to the hope of a future where justice might prevail.
While Eliezer doesn't directly quote these figures, their presence is felt in the novel's exploration of the human condition in the face of unimaginable evil.