Why did I write it? Did I write it so as not to go mad or, on the contrary, to go mad in order to understand the nature of madness, the immense, terrifying madness that had erupted in history and in the conscience of mankind?
In Elie Wiesel's book "Night," the author grapples with the harrowing experiences of the Holocaust, reflecting on the deep and unsettling madness that overtook humanity during this dark period. He questions his motivations for writing, considering whether he does so as a means of coping with the horror he witnessed or as a way to delve into the nature of madness itself. This introspection reveals a profound struggle to comprehend the devastating impacts of such collective insanity on human conscience.
Wiesel's contemplation highlights the duality of his purpose: to preserve memory and understanding in the face of atrocity while confronting his own psyche’s response to extreme despair. By articulating these thoughts, he attempts to reconcile the unfathomable chaos of history with personal experience, thereby ensuring that the lessons of this madness are not forgotten. His writing serves as both a refuge from and an exploration of the very madness that enveloped the world, aiming to shed light on humanity's capacity for both cruelty and resilience.
Rate the Quote
User Reviews
Other quotes in book quote
All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
