When reading this chapter I found it very ironic and strange
when Ellie prayed to God that he hoped he would never abandon his father the
way the son of Rabbi Eliahou did. Although this was a very noble action of Elie
to still care for his father and his father’s survival, it just seems that this
prayer he made to God was a sign of his weakness. He seems to have not trust
himself to not abandon his own father which is why he prayed to God. In the
previous chapter he had gathered anger towards God due to all the atrocities
done to Jews but now he is praying to God for something he can control himself. He just seems to not believe in himself.
Very interesting perspective. Does he trust God to help his own actions, but not the actions of the Nazis?
ReplyDeleteSchulz, I actually believe Elie doesn't really believe God will help in any sort of way to help his own actions, that being not abandoning his father. I feel that his prayer to God was just in case he ever did abandon his Father he then would have someone to blame for rather than himself. Since he has already gathered anger towards God for the Nazis actions, I don't think Elie trusts God to help the Nazis actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Lizette it seems that at some times he believes in God and sometimes he doesn't. I think he has made himself belive that he doesn't believe in God but his old customs still overpower any decision that he has made about him.
ReplyDeleteLizette, I think that is such an insightful response that perfectly describes his mindset at the moment. When reading I took his prayer as a natural response, as one might pray for anything when they are desperate or scared, but you have enlightened me by highlighting his current attitude towards God (frustration, disbelief) which I believe reveals his intention in doing so. Thanks!
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