Write a paragraph in response to the following question: Why does Wiesel claim that the ghetto was “ruled by delusion” (page 12)? ○ Begin with a clear, concise topic sentence. ○ Use textual evidence to justify your argument. ○ Organize your ideas logically, maintain a formal style of writing, and follow the conventions of standard written English. ○ Wrap up your argument with a concluding sentence.
Wiesel claims that the ghetto was "ruled by delusion" because the Jews living there were in denial about the extent of the danger they were facing. On page 12, Wiesel describes how the Jews refused to believe the rumors of mass exterminations and instead clung to the hope that things would get better. He writes, "We knew only that some of the foreign Jews' papers weren't in order. Otherwise, we were told, they would have been in Rumania long ago." This illustrates how the Jews in the ghetto convinced themselves that the situation was not as dire as it seemed, choosing to believe in false hope rather than face the reality of their impending doom. In this way, the delusion they clung to became a form of self-preservation, providing a temporary sense of comfort amidst the horrors of their existence. In conclusion, Wiesel's assertion that the ghetto was "ruled by delusion" highlights the profound psychological impact of living under such extreme circumstances.
