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Dehumanization vs. Obedience Dehumanization is the process in which the Nazis considered the Jews as anything but humans. The title of the book is Night by Elie Wiesel. The book focuses on Elie's experiences as a young boy in a concentration camp. In the book the issues of dehumanization and obedience are frequent. What causes these issues are the simple factors of human prejudice, fear, and selfishness.
Above all, Nazis obeyed authority and were able to dehumanize because they believed what they were doing was right. Humans have naturally acquired prejudice. This is one of the reasons why Nazis obeyed authority. In one example from the text Elie's father questions a gypsy officer; and as Elie put it The gypsy looked him up and down slowly as if he wanted to convince himself that this man addressing him was really a creature of flesh and bone. (36) Then the gypsy hit him.
This quote proves that only because Elie's father is a Jew, and the gypsy hates Jews thats why he hit him. Maybe there are more personal reasons of the gypsy's hate but whatever the reason the gypsy believed that hitting Elie's father was right. Another example is when Elie is put into a work unit with Jewish musicians. Her claims that Jews were not allowed to play germen music (47) because Germen's hated Jews they did not want the Jews to be associated with anything Germen. Therefore by specific prejudice the Nazis obeyed because they felt that they had no reason to disobey. Another reason why Nazis obeyed authority is because they were afraid of a higher power.
Elie is worried when the Kapo threatens them if they do not work but his fellow prisoner claims Theres nothing to be scared of he has to say that because of the meister. (48) Which means that the only reason why the Kapo was making threats is because he doesnt want the meister to yell at him for being to nice. Another example of that is when Elie said, The prisoner in charge of our block was deprived of his office for being considered too humane. (41) Nazis wanted Jews to fear them. Thats why they were so cruel. They felt if the Jews saw any sign of remorse they would feel less threatened. The last reason for explanation of the Nazis obedience is the simple fact that they were selfish.
Not only did the Nazis feel what they were doing was right, they also didnt care if it was right or not. As they were transported through towns to get to another camp, Elie describes the reactions of the germen civilians towards them. Many of the Germen's stared at us without surprise (43) because it wasnt them who were being taken to camps they chose not to pay attention to what was going on. By this the germen's were eager to obey authority. As long as they were fine, they didnt care what happened to anyone else.
That made is easier to dehumanize the Jews. Nazis, of course, show selfishness. When they are sent to acknowledge the prisoners, they completely ignore them. Elie describes one event in which an officer was acknowledging prisoners, stating He paid us about as much attention as a dealer might who was just receiving a delivery of old rags. (47) The officer made it very clear that he does not care about the prisoners. His statement implies that he is a very selfish person and does not care what happens to the Jews. Nazis were able to dehumanize the Jews and obey authority because they thought what they were doing was right.
Elie Wiesels experiences in concentration camp prove this theory to be correct. The only purpose of the Nazis was to destroy a race without mercy. They were able to do this process based on there own human prejudices, fears, and selfishness. They did not question the authority or morals of what was going on. They did what they were told and felt that it was the right thing to do.
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