Comparing Night And The Crucible Essay

Eliezer from Elie Wiesels Night and John Proctor from Arthur Millers The Crucible experience a loss of faith in God and come to the realization that he has become absent in their lives. The world in which the prisoners are enclosed makes them question their faith in God. Why, but why should I bless him? In every fiber I rebelled. Because He had had thousands of children burned in His pits? Because He kept six crematories working night and day, on Sundays and feast days? Because in His great might He had created Auschwitz, Birkenau, Buna and so many factories of death? (Wiesel 64). Eliezer once believed that upon one solitary deed of his, one solitary prayer depended on the salvation of the world. On this day, he had ceased to plead and was no longer capable of lamentation. Eliezers loss of faith is obvious when he neglects traditional Jewish practices, such as fasting. I did not fast, mainly to please my father, who had forbidden me to do so. But further, there was no longer any reason why I should fast. I no longer accepted Gods silence (66). Eliezer and the other prisoners main concern is only to survive at this point, and not to keep traditions. When the selection arrives, Akriba Drumer is condemned in advance. All he asks of Eliezer and some of the other prisoners are in three days to say the Kaddish for him. And three days after he had gone we forgot to say the Kaddish (73). The struggle to survive in the harsh conditions can not compete with trying to keep Jewish traditions. In the same way Eliezer loses his faith in God,

through his struggles to survive in the concentration camp, John Proctor loses faith in God through his fight for his life in the community of Salem. After John Proctor is completely betrayed by Mary Warren, he is unable to control his feelings, and disrespects all he once believed in. I say - I say - God is dead! (Miller 119). This is essentially the beginning of the downfall of John Proctor and his fall from grace. His faith in God and the Church is shaken, and all trust is gone. Eliezer expresses his anger about the way of life he has been forced to live, and does not understand how God could choose his race to be tortured day and night. Also, after John Proctor is completely betrayed by Mary Warren, he loses control and goes on a rage God damns our kind especially, and we will burn, we will burn together! (120). John Proctor does not attend church often, as he does not agree with the judgement of the church. Twenty-six time in seventeen month, sir, I must call that rare. Will you tell me why you are so absent? (64). Proctor no longer chooses to practice to practice his faith. Eliezer faces a decision when Yom Kippur comes around, it is a Jewish tradition to fast at this time of year, but Eliezer does not because he believes there is no longer any reason to fast, as God has abandoned him. As well as, John Proctor chooses not to take part in participating in his faith either, as he does no longer attend church. John Proctor is unable to recite one of the commandments. You see sir, between the two of us we do know them all. I think it may be a small fault. (67). Proctor does not practice his faith as he does not believe in the teachings of the church. Eliezer and the other prisoners and the struggle to survive in the conditions they are put in are unable to follow through with keeping their promise to God and to their friend to recite the Kaddish. Similarly, John Proctor is unable to recite the Ten

Commandments due to his loss of faith in the community and God. In their struggles to survive in the world, Eliezer and John Proctor eventually come to the realization that God has abandoned them in their time of need and lose all faith in God.