Dehumanization in Elie Wiesel’s Night

What Makes Us Human? Lets make a list of the following human aspects. Physical: Biological aspects Psychological: our mind as a function of awareness and emotion Social: relationships with others and function in community Make a chart like the one below: Physical Psychological Social What separates us from animals?

Possible Answers Physical: opposable thumbs, walk upright, able to have a conversation Psychological: high level of intelligence, able to forgive, able to value, able to reason, able to solve problems Social: able to love, need for acceptance, need for respect, need for others

Abraham Maslow He was smart but shy, and remembered his childhood as lonely and rather unhappy. Maslow went to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin to study psychology. He began investigating primate dominance behavior and sexuality. He found two mentors whom he admired both professionally and personally. These two were so accomplished and such "wonderful human beings" that Maslow began taking notes about them and their behavior. This would be the basis of his lifelong research and thinking about mental health and human potential.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Can you name all the needs under each category? Why is the fulfillment of these needs so important? What could take place if someone denied us these needs?

DEFINITION Dehumanization: To deprive of human qualities such as individuality and compassion. It is a psychological, gradual process.

Dehumanizing Behaviors: What are some behaviors or actions that can dehumanize another individual? Stereotyping Degrading Verbal abuse Physical abuse Racism Discrimination Harassment/Sexual or otherwise Denial of rights

A Few Facts… When a person is continually dehumanized, their human qualities are being slowly stripped away. They become angry, more apt to lash out at others, alienate themselves from others, feel unloved, and the process can worsen from this point on. They began to express dehumanized behaviors.

Consider the Stages of Hitler’s “Final Solution” Esteem Needs Jewish Jobs are boycotted then taken away “Nuremberg Laws” proclaim Jews as second-class citizens Jews are forced to wear a yellow star. Safety Needs Rumors of Hitler's plans to exterminate Jews. Deportation concentration camps. Love Needs Families are separated. Prisoners are treated cruelly Biological Needs Food is rationed & then completely taken away Forced to suffered winter conditions without warmth

Example: Dehumanized Behavior Anxious, afraid, stressed, nervous They beat Madame Schächter: (ch. 2 pg. 24) Explanation Anxious, afraid, stressed, nervous

Individual Assignment Locate 7 examples of how the prisoners are dehumanized and how they exhibit dehumanized behaviors. Make a chart explaining whether or not the conflict used to dehumanize is internal (psychological) or external (physical). Write an explanation for each example explaining exactly why the prisoners are behaving in an inhumane way. (Your answers should reflect how the prisoners are demonstrating the slow deterioration of their human qualities).

External and Internal Conflicts Dehumanized behavior Type of Conflict Conflict used to Dehumanize Franek wants Elie’s golden crown possibly to sell for more food. He beats Elie’s father until Elie gives in. External SS starve prisoners

Response #8 Consider the concept of dehumanization. How was Elie able to effectively explain what happened to him using this concept? Explain your thoughts upon learning about this process for the first time.