Over and over, Eliezer makes reference to thinking about what was happening as a dream or a nightmare. Why would he have those thoughts?
Eliezer frequently refers to his experiences during the Holocaust as a dream or a nightmare because they were so horrific and surreal that they seemed almost unreal. By framing them in this way, he is attempting to convey the immense shock and disbelief he felt at the atrocities he witnessed and endured.
Additionally, describing his experiences as a dream or a nightmare allows Eliezer to convey the psychological impact it had on him. Dreams and nightmares are often associated with intense emotions, confusion, and a distorted sense of reality. Through this language, Eliezer is able to capture the profound trauma, confusion, and disorientation he faced during the Holocaust.
Moreover, the use of dreamlike imagery serves as a literary device to emphasize the extraordinary nature of the events. It helps to highlight the stark contrast between the normalcy of everyday life and the horrors of the Holocaust. By presenting his experiences as a dream or nightmare, Eliezer underscores the profound rupture of his reality caused by the Holocaust.