The central theme of this speech is Wiesel’s claim that indifference is more dangerous than hatred . He sees indifference as a sin. He takes us back to the camps and brings us into the belief, shared with his fellow prisoners, that if only people knew what was happening they would intervene.
What is the main idea of perils of indifference?
Throughout “The Perils of Indifference,” Elie Wiesel talks about how choosing to be indifferent to the suffering of others only leads to more suffering, more discrimination, and more grief —and it also threatens the very humanity of the people that are so busy being indifferent.
What is Elie Wiesel’s the perils of indifference speech about?
Wiesel gave a speech at the White House in 1999 titled The Perils of Indifference in which he emphasized the danger of apathy . ... Wiesel warned of the lure of this indifferent mindset. He explains that the temptation of inaction and apathy allows us to focus solely on our own desires and goals.
What is the meaning of the perils of indifference?
Shocker, we know, but indifference is a major theme in a speech called “The Perils of Indifference.” This speech acts as a huge warning about being indifferent to suffering and injustice . Elie Wiesel understood better than most people the consequences of ignoring what’s happening around you.
What are examples of indifference?
The definition of indifference is a lack of care, concern or interest. An example of indifference is when you don’t care or put effort into something .
What does Wiesel consider the worst response to human suffering?
What does Wiesel consider the worst response to human suffering? ... a lack of concern for those who are suffering .
What is Elie Wiesel’s famous quote about indifference?
“ The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference .”
What are the consequences of indifference?
That “spiritual anemia” which is indifference has the potential to become a malignant condition . If unattended, it develops into detachment and a paralyzing passivity in which the person surrenders rational judgment.
Why is indifference perilous according to Elie?
Wiesel believes that indifference, “after all, is more dangerous than anger or hatred ” (51) because it’s not an active emotion. It’s the exact opposite—when you’re indifferent to someone, you just ignore what they’re going through.
What is the best definition of apathy?
1 : lack of feeling or emotion : impassiveness drug abuse leading to apathy and depression. 2 : lack of interest or concern : indifference political apathy.
What is the thesis statement in the perils of indifference?
Thesis: “ Indifference is not a response... it is a sin. ” With his Holocaust experience and the impending future, Elie Wiesel expresses the necessity of stopping indifference to give future generations renewed hope and promise.
Is indifference a virtue?
Indifference is sometimes said to be a virtue . ... In one of its core uses, ‘indifference’ means a lack of interest and attention; this being a matter of someone’s having or not having a certain attitude or orientation towards something.
What is the real meaning of indifference?
1 : the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent . 2a : absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another. b archaic : lack of difference or distinction between two or more things.
What does it mean to treat someone with indifference?
Indifference simply means not caring . When someone is indifferent toward you, they’re showing they don’t care about you. Caring for others is an investment in others. Therefore, indifference can be seen as a way to withdraw or decrease investment from someone.
How did the soldiers react to finding Buchenwald answer key?
The soldiers noted that the people no longer looked human due to their severe starvation and abuse . Americans turned to the nearly dozen imprisoned and surviving physicians to help treat these former prisoners and to understand the medical history they had accumulated under Nazi rule.
How does Wiesel begin in his speech?
In paragraph 4, Wiesel begins talking about “a young Jewish boy .” Who is this boy understood to be? The young Jewish boy is meant to be himself when he was a young boy during the Holocaust. ... Wiesel uses the term “Kingdom of Night” throughout his speech.
