After witnessing a mass execution, Moishe the Beadle returns to warn Sighet of the danger they are in, but they do not believe him. Elie describes, "But people not only refused to believe his tales, they refused to listen. Some even insinuated that he only wanted their pity, that he was imagining things. Others flatly said that he had gone mad." Why do the townspeople refuse to listen?

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Humberto Harrison

31 May, 09:16

After witnessing a mass execution, Moishe the Beadle returns to warn Sighet of the danger they are in, but they do not believe him. Elie describes, "But people not only refused to believe his tales, they refused to listen. Some even insinuated that he only wanted their pity, that he was imagining things. Others flatly said that he had gone mad." Why do the townspeople refuse to listen?

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Caylee Gibson · Answer 1

I think Wiesel specifically includes Moche to demonstrate that Jews were unwilling to listen to anyone who bore unpleasant, seemingly far-away news. Moche is an eye-witness to the Nazi's cruelty, yet the Jews of Sighet write him off.

Malia Winters · Answer 2

Jews were unwilling to listen to anyone who bore unpleasant, seemingly far-away news.