Never Shall I Forget Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

Never Shall I Forget

Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long
night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed.
Never shall I forget that smoke.
Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of
smoke beneath a silent blue sky.
Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever.
Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to
live.
Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams
to dust.
Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself.
Never.

Summary of Never Shall I Forget

Popularity of “Never Shall I Forget”: Elie Wiesel’s “Never Shall I Forget” is a deeply personal and haunting poem inspired by his experiences as a Holocaust survivor. It is not simply a recounting of events; it is a visceral expression of trauma and loss, focusing on the indelible memories that forever altered the speaker’s life and faith. The poem’s power lies in its raw honesty and its unwavering commitment to remembering the horrors witnessed.
“Never Shall I Forget”, as a Representative of Sadness: The poem serves as a testament to the enduring pain of trauma and the struggle to reconcile faith with unspeakable suffering. The speaker details the specific images—the smoke, the children’s faces, the flames—that are eternally etched into his memory. This is not a detached observation; it is a reliving of the horror, a constant haunting that strips away joy and leaves only despair. The silent blue sky provides a chilling contrast to the devastation below, emphasizing the indifference of the universe to human suffering.
Major Themes in “Never Shall I Forget”: Central to the poem are themes of memory, loss of faith, and the dehumanizing effects of trauma. The repetition of “Never shall I forget” isn’t merely a statement of remembrance; it is a declaration of a burden carried for life. The poem explores the profound psychological and spiritual toll of witnessing unimaginable cruelty, questioning the existence of a benevolent God in the face of such suffering. It is a lament for lost innocence, faith, and ultimately, a part of the speaker’s soul.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in Never Shall I Forget

Elie Wiesel masterfully employs a range of literary devices to amplify the emotional impact of “Never Shall I Forget.” These techniques work together to create a poem that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Assonance: Assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, creates a musical quality and subtly links words together. For example, the repeated short “e” sound in “Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever” emphasizes the devastation of the speaker’s faith.
Anaphora: The most striking device in the poem is the repeated phrase “Never shall I forget.” This anaphora, or repetition at the beginning of successive clauses, is incredibly powerful. It doesn’t just emphasize the importance of memory; it creates a rhythmic, almost incantatory effect. Each repetition feels like a vow, a commitment to bear witness.
Allusion: While the poem does not explicitly name the Holocaust, it is steeped in allusion to its horrors. The “night,” the “smoke,” the “flames,” and the imagery of children all evoke the specific atrocities of the Nazi concentration camps. This indirectness allows the poem to speak to the broader horrors of genocide and human cruelty, making it universally relevant.
Alliteration: The use of alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, adds to the poem’s musicality and draws attention to key phrases. Consider the repetition of the “f” sound in “flames which consumed my faith forever.” This creates a sense of urgency and reinforces the poem’s themes of destruction and loss.
Consonance: Similar to alliteration, consonance focuses on the repetition of consonant sounds within words. The line “Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp” demonstrates this, with the repetition of the “n” and “t” sounds creating a subtle but noticeable rhythm.
Enjambment: Enjambment, the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause, is used to create a sense of urgency and momentum. The line “Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams” flows seamlessly into the next, mirroring the relentless, unending nature of trauma.
Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery that appeals to the reader’s senses. Images like “smoke,” “little faces of the children,” and “flames” create a visceral and emotional response, allowing the reader to experience the horror alongside the speaker.
Metaphor: Wiesel employs metaphor to convey the depth of the speaker’s suffering. The line “those moments which murdered my God and my soul” is a powerful metaphor for the complete annihilation of faith and spirit experienced by the speaker.
Symbolism: The symbols throughout the poem deepen its meaning. The “night” itself symbolizes darkness, despair, and the loss of hope. The “smoke” represents the destruction of life and the erasure of identity.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Never Shall I Forget

Beyond the literary devices, the poem utilizes specific poetic techniques to enhance its emotional impact and create a haunting, memorable experience.

Diction: Wiesel’s diction—his choice of words—is deliberate and powerful. He uses stark, concrete language to convey the harsh realities of the speaker’s experience, avoiding sentimental or flowery language. This creates a sense of authenticity and immediacy.
Free Verse: The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter. This allows the language to flow naturally and authentically, mirroring the speaker’s raw, unfiltered emotions. The lack of traditional structure also emphasizes the chaos and disorientation of trauma.
Repetition: As discussed previously, the repetition of “Never shall I forget” is a central element of the poem. It creates a rhythmic, incantatory effect and underscores the speaker’s unwavering commitment to remembering the horrors he has witnessed.
Refrain: The repeated phrase “Never shall I forget” functions as a refrain, reinforcing the poem’s central theme and creating a sense of closure. It echoes throughout the poem, haunting the reader long after the last line.
Stanza: The poem consists of a single, unbroken block of text. This lack of stanza breaks reinforces the overwhelming and unrelenting nature of trauma. It suggests that the speaker’s memories are not compartmentalized but rather a continuous, inescapable burden.

Quotes to be Used

These lines from “Never Shall I Forget” are particularly resonant and can be used to discuss themes of trauma, loss, and the importance of memory.

“Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams
to dust.”

This line encapsulates the poem’s central message: the profound and lasting impact of trauma on the human spirit. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of bearing witness to suffering and remembering the lessons of the past.