Night Plot Analysis

Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.

Because Night is nonfiction memoir, it does not fit the classic plot analysis. Instead, it moves from moment to moment in an increasing downward trajectory until Eliezer’s father dies. Then Eliezer is numb. He is still numb when the Allies liberate Buchenwald a few months later.