The Motivation in Night John D. Zhang

Motivation is the condition of providing something as need, belief, or desire that induces a character to act. In the historical fiction Night, by Elie Wiesel, action and setting contribute significantly to the motivation of the central protagonist, Elie. The overall effect of motivation presents the characters as retrogressing to savage-like behaviors. Motivation undoubtedly portrays a vital role in Elie's demeanor.

Many times, actions of others influence the aspirations of the main character. One day in the story, the Kapo (head of prison block) Idek flies into his usual fanatical rage and beats Elie. A young Aryan French girl comforts him in German. Years later, Elie meets the woman in Paris. She reveals that she is Jewish and risked her life, trusting Elie by speaking to him in German. The girl's words motivated and encouraged Elie to be determined and not give up. Elie, though physically beaten, is emotionally boosted by this. Another time, prisoners are so crowded into barracks that people are piled upon each other. Elie finds himself lying on top of Juliek, a Polish violinist he knew in Buna. Juliek's soulful playing of Beethoven through the night elevates hope and soothes the audience of exhausted and dying...