HallahanS Third Reader Responce

This was the last section we had to read and I was able to read though this section the fastest.  It was the most dramatic and painted some of the worst images in my head. I think that there was definitely a lot more death in this section. I was actually feeling cold in this section while I was reading it because they talk about having to run through the cold snow and it made me picture it in my head and it made me cold. They were so cold and tied and emancipated that they could barely even feel the cold. Elie says, “to no longer feel anything, neither fatigue nor cold, nothing” (86). I couldn’t imagine being so cold that you can’t feel anything. I know how it feels in the cold when you’re outside and it’s so cold it’s hard to text. There are also times like when they first get to that last camp that looks like an empty village that all they want to do is stop and rest but they can’t or they will die in the cold snow.

I think one of the most influential parts is when they are in the cattle cart. He says, “The spectators observed these emaciated creatures ready to kill for a crust of bread” (101). Did they think it was a game? That’s so messed up to me. It’s not like throwing fish in a fish tank and watching the fish swam it to get a piece. These are actual human beings! Our own kind. People just like us. I don’t know why they weren’t disgusted with the way these people were treated. Instead they played along and antagonized the people. Sons were killing fathers and everyone was beating each other up and climbing over each other for crumbs. This entire book really makes you think about mankind. Is life really everyone for themselves? Or are we suppose to reach out and want to help each other?

Another part that I found astonishing was the liberation day. He is finally freed! For the past year or so Elie has been tortured, beaten, fed as little as possible, watched everyone round him die; and on the day that it will finally all be over and he will be free to live his life the way he wants to from now on he acts like it’s no big deal? I know that I would be bawling my eyes out with joy! The second I left those gates as a free child I would be jumping around crying and hugging everyone around me! How do you not celebrate? He just looks at himself in a mirror and is like, yeah, I changed. That’s it? I know he went through a lot and all but I still feel like he deserves to be happy now that he is free. I hope I will never have to know what it feels like, but I think it would be a little more exciting than what he makes it to be.