Night is a memoir, an autobiographical story. The term comes from a Latin word meaning "to remember." In the book, Elie Wiesel recalls what he saw and experienced during the Holocaust. He tells how that story changed him as a person. When asked why he has chosen to tell it, he responds by speaking of those who did not survive to tell their own stories:

"I owe them my roots and memory. I am duty-bound to serve as their emissary, transmitting the history of their disappearance, even if it disturbs, even if it brings pain. Not to do so would be to betray them, and thus myself."

What is the relationship between our stories (not only our own but those of our family and ancestors) and our identity? To what extent are we all witnesses to history and messengers to humanity?

Respond in the box to the right.