Historical Figures

What role did the ss officers in book night?

The SS officers in Elie Wiesel's novel Night play a central role in the story, as they are the ones who oversee and carry out the atrocities committed at the concentration camps. They are depicted as being cruel, sadistic, and indifferent to the suffering of the prisoners. Among the most notable SS officers in the book are:

- Rudolf Höss: The commandant of Auschwitz, who is described as a "man of calm, cold intelligence" who is "completely indifferent to human suffering."

- Josef Mengele: A doctor who conducts inhumane experiments on the prisoners, including selecting them for death. Mengele is often referred to as the "Angel of Death" due to his role in the extermination of prisoners.

- Franz Stangl: The commandant of Sobibor, who is described as a "fanatical Nazi" who takes pleasure in the suffering of others.

- Karl Frenzel: A kapo (prisoner who is given authority over other prisoners) who is known for his brutality. Frenzel frequently beats and abuses the prisoners, and is ultimately killed by the prisoners during an uprising.

These SS officers represent the evil and inhumanity of the Nazi regime, and their actions are a powerful reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.