Allusion, Foreshadowing
Literary Device
1. Allusion
“It was like a page torn from a book, a
historical novel, perhaps, dealing with
the captivity in Babylon or the Spanish
Inquisition.” (17)
Effect
Explain the allusions in this passage that relates Elie’s sighting of the Chief Rabbi as he makes his way
out of the ghetto. Why does Wiesel include them in the narration?
Example response:
2. Foreshadowing
How does Wiesel use foreshadowing in the story of Mrs. Schachter?
“[Mrs. Schachter said] Look at the fire!
Look at the flames! Flames
everywhere!” Once again, the men
bound and gagged her. When they
actually struck her, people shouted
their approval: “Keep her quiet! Make
that madwoman shut up. She’s not the
only one here…” She received several
blows to the head, blows that could
have been lethal. Her son was clinging
desperately to her, not uttering a word.
He was no longer crying. (26)
Example response:
Wiesel uses foreshadowing by illustrating the brutality that takes place under the circumstances in
which the men and women are placed. With Mrs. Schachter, the reader sees her own people turning on
her. This foreshadows the brutality that the Jewish people will face at the hands of the German officers
and again at the hands of each other as they are trying to save themselves.
3. (The underlined sentence)
________________________
Allusion, Foreshadowing
Why is this an example of that literary device? How do you know?
Nobody dared raise his voice, even
though there was no guard around. We
whispered. Perhaps because of the
thick smoke that poisoned the air and
stung the throat. (37)
4. (The underlined sentences)
________________________
Why is this an example of that literary device? How do you know?
Some of the men spoke of God: His
mysterious ways, the sins of the Jewish
people, and the redemption to come.
As for me, I had ceased to pray. I
concurred with Job! I was not denying
His existence, but I doubted His
absolute justice. (45)
5. (The underlined sentence)
________________________
A few days after my visit, the dentist’s
office was shut down. He had been
thrown into prison and was about to be
hanged… I felt no pity for him. In fact,
I was pleased with what was happening
to him: my gold crown was safe. It
could be useful to me one day, to buy
something, some bread or even time to
live. (52)
Explain in what way this scene functions as that literary device.
Allusion, Foreshadowing