Chattahoochee River
Monday, January 26, 2015
Trust
One event that stood out to me in chapter five, was when Elie had gone to the infirmary. I noticed that as soon as Elie got there, he didn't know who to trust or what to believe. For example, when the "faceless neighbor" spoke to him. He kept insisting that the selection process with the sick/injured was much more worse. Elie didn't want to believe him and this just goes to show that he has lost trust in others by being in a concentration camp. This trust in others is further challenged when the doctor tries to reassure Elie that his leg hasn't been amputated and that he will be able to walk in two weeks. Even though the doctor appeared to be kind and trustworthy, it was difficult for him to believe him. While in the concentration camp, Elie's interaction with the people who have some sort of power has been negative. Elie has only encountered people who don't care about him and simply treat him cruelly. At this point, Elie has become sensitive to any nice gestures. So when the doctor asks him to trust him, Elie's reaction demonstrates fear and confusion.
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You have keenly pointed out a progressive transformation that is becoming more and more apparent as we continue to read, and something that I fully agree with. Traumatic events having the ability to change one's character, and it's sad to watch it happen with Elie. The fact that Elie writes about it, though, goes to show he is aware of the transformation of character that happened within himself during that time.
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