Point of View

Wiesel's Dawn is told in the first person, from the point of view of Elisha. Through Elisha's eyes, readers experience the conflict between the Jewish people and the ruling English forces in Palestine, circa World War II, and its toll on individuals. From the first chapter, readers learn of the dilemma that drives Elisha, that is, he has to execute a man. As Elisha remembers his life before the Movement, the readers get a glimpse of the horrors of concentration camps and its effect on the Holocaust survivors. Elisha does not go into much detail about his experiences and speaks evenly, but readers can clearly feel his loss and his pain. Readers also learn of interesting Jewish legends as Elisha struggles to internalize and accept the untenable role thrust onto him. Here, readers learn how Elisha's Cabala teachings influence his thoughts, and the old superstitions magnify...