“Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky. Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence …showed first 75 words of 1138 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1138 total…dead weight, so that I could use all my strength to struggle for my own survival, and only worry about myself.” (101) Elie had become hardened by his new way of life, and realized that only the fittest would emerge from this experience still alive and well. It was truly a survival of the fittest. However, he is overcome with guilt after a blow to the head by an officer finally ceases his father’s existence.