Dear Readers,
Even though the
Holocaust affected millions the elements that are remembered the most regard
the little things. For instance as Elie gave his father the cup of coffee he
desired Elie, “…shall never forget the gratitude that shone in his eyes when he
swallowed…” (106). As small as an emotion from a gaze is, it can be even more
powerful than anything else. The gaze marked the first and last time Elie
witnessed his father satisfied since he had grown ill. Moments added up together
equal the memories of a human. My family
has recently suffered a loss and it made me think of the moments we shared
together. How I only wish there was more I could reflect upon. It is the
moments fond or otherwise that brings the ones you love closer to you. Had Elie
not been with his father that long, one can only wonder how could he have hung
on to life? Although, the last memories of being with his father was living
Hell, they had one another. Elie surely endured much pain and suffering but I do
not believe he could have done it if his father had not been along for the
journey. On the train when his father did not respond to his calls to Elie, “…there
was no longer a reason to live, any reason to fight” (99). Elie has that
horrific experience that he endured along with his father to reflect upon and
recognize that he is strong enough to pull through what the rest of life has in
store for him, because nothing shall compare nor alter memories of happiness or
despair. It is a part of human nature to remember moments, whether of happiness
or tragedy. It hurts to recollect upon tragedies or bad experiences, however it
makes an individual stronger.
Whether it be as
large as an event or as small as a gaze in someone’s eyes there are so many
components of life that are forever engraved in the mind of an individual. Last
year I took a trip to Washington D.C., where I visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The object that stood out the most from all the exhibits was not the
captivating yet disturbing photos, but rather the shoes. Piled up by the
hundreds lay shoes of the prisoners, the smell of fire still lingered in the
room along with the memories of the people who’s innocent lives were taken but
never forgotten. The collection gives a perspective as a whole to who the
tragedy affected, more so than a picture can capture. There were shoes big and
little, but together they unified the victims not by religion or nationality,
but how they suffered and how their memories shall live on. Visiting the museum
and reading of Elie’s story of survival are among the many moments I will never
forget. We all have these moments of thought
and reflection, what are some of yours?
Lastly, to Elie
Wiesel I say thank you. Thank you for sharing your moments of confusion, desire
and suffering. Even though I still and will never understand the mindset of the
oppressors, there are many lessons I have learned from your story. One of them
being, some things are meant to be treasured, and no matter how difficult it is
some components are meant to be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Keriden Harrington
Dear Keriden,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate and am put into to deep thought about your post. You opened my eyes to a new outlook onthe novel and my life. I actually have noticed the many little things that helped Elie to push himself to survive. Such as you said a simple smile from his father. I too have lost a few important members of my family and the process of getting over that loss is excrutating but it is nothing compared to what Elie had gone through. It sickens my heart at what one person can to do to millions, and I'm glad you see it too. Thank you for time and opinions.
sincerely,
Your reader Destiny Welshman