Topic 1

Does Eliezer (the narrator) believe God is dead? Does Elie Wiesel (the author) believe that God is dead?

Topic 2

Is choice or chance more important to Elie’s survival?

Topic 3

Who is more influential to Elie’s worldview, Chlomo or Moché the Beadle? How would Elie have fared if he had been separated from Chlomo right away? Why does he neglect to say Kaddish for Akiba Drumer?

Topic 4

Is Elie transformed for better or for worse by the Holocaust?

Topic 5

Does Elie succumb to the corruptive nature of evil? Besides Chlomo, who has the greatest impact on Elie once he’s in the camps? Which is the greater sin to Elie: moral atrocities or moral apathy? Explain why.