PTSD In Elie Wiesel's Night

According to Anxiety.org, a website that delves into humanities mental health issues, “some studies place the prevalence of PTSD in the Holocaust Survivor communities between 46% and 55%” (). The Holocaust was a very traumatizing experience, where many many Jews became victims to dehumanization. This is understood in Elie Wiesel’s book, Night, in which he explains how many Jews were made into monsters or only cared for themselves as a result of their experiences. “The fact that Jews can regain meaningful lives is a testament to the human soul”, quote by () shows how much discipline it took for Elie to remain human and find purpose for himself. In his book, he speaks of Moishe the Beetle, who went silent when no one would listen, Mrs. Schachter who went mad, and Jews on a cattle car that killed for crumbs of bread. He watched as these people lost their humanity in the fight for survival. Despite this, he refused to become a victim and is now a …show more content…
However, many people can become victims to dehumanization on a mental level. This world can change a person. This is why it is that much more important to learn from Eliezer Wiesel. Mrs. Schachter, Moishe the Beetle, and Elie all experienced the Holocaust, but all of the outcomes were different. Elie refused to go silent as Moishe did. Elie urged other to use their voices as well. Standing up for what one believe in takes a strong belief in one side, Elie dresses the importance of this in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Harsh conditions, situations, trauma, can change people for the worst. Elie witnessed this first-hand with the Jews in the cattle car, Moishe, and Mrs. Schachter. But it is possible to be stronger than these situations, and if people can remember what it is to be human, even with the good and the bad, it may be possible to fix the state of the village that is our world and prevent a future