Elie Wiesel's Use Of Dehumanization

The process the Nazis did was called dehumanization which gradually reduced the Jews to nothing more than cattle. First, Wiesel says, “Faster! Faster! Move, you lazy good for nothings!” the Hungarian police were screaming (19). Elie states that they were the first people of hell and death. Second, he also says, ‘The Hungarian lieutenant went around with a basket and retrieved the last possessions from those who chose not to go on tasting the bitterness of fear’ (24). It says that the Hungarian police took the Jews valuables away with force. Thirdly, Wiesel stats, ‘The beloved objects that we had carried with us from place to place were now left behind in the wagon and, with them, finally, our illusions’ (29). When they arrived at the
concentration camps the Nazis told them to leave their bags and other valuables behind on the wagon. Also, Elie says, “Men to the left! Women to the right!” (29). The concentration camps separated families. Elie states that he watched as his mother and two sisters walk to the right and that was the last time he saw them. Finally, he says, ‘The three “veteran” prisoners, needles in hand, tattooed numbers on our left arms’ (42). The tattooed numbers changed them because it took their names they were given from birth to a different name that you would name cattle. The Nazis did this process of dehumanization to make the Jews feel like cattle and nothing more.