Chapter six revealed to me a human’s capacity to not
succumb to death. When Eliezer and his father leave and then return to the shed
where hundreds of prisoners were falling asleep in the snow and dying, Eliezer’s
father convinces him to try and rest under his watchful eye. Eliezer tries to
fall asleep but can’t, because he knows it would mean death. This is where he
states “And something in me rebelled against death.” Previously in the book Eliezer
had contemplated death, and saw it as an escape from the suffering he endured.
And yet, at this moment when death would be as easy as falling asleep, he resisted.
And he did not know why. This shows how powerful the human instinct to live is.
I never realized how often Elie would contemplate death and not do it. As you pointed out this way of death would seem the easiest way out of the misery and torture and it interesting that Elie didn't take up on this opportunity. I feel however at this point Elie feels like the end is near. Whether it be being liberated or him finally dying. Either way I feel like Elie wanted to see how far he would make it.
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