You know how people are always saying that history repeats itself? Well, that's exactly the opposite of what Elie Wiesel wanted to happen, especially after a century as full of suffering as the 20th.
Millions of people died in the century's genocides, civil wars, and world wars. Wiesel gave "The Perils of Indifference" on the verge of a new millennium in the hope that people would remember all the atrocities and learn from what he had to say so the next century wouldn't be filled with similar kinds of suffering.
Questions About Legacy of the Past
- In line 17, Wiesel mentions the moral failures of the 20th century. What was he trying to accomplish by naming the various conflicts and assassinations? Do you think it was effective?
- Throughout his speech, Wiesel references Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Birkenau, but he never mentions the Holocaust by name. Why do you think that is?
- In line 125, Wiesel says, "And together, we walk towards the new millennium, carried by profound fear and extraordinary hope." What is significant about ending with that particular word?
- According to Wiesel, what is the most important lesson from the 20th century? Do you believe we've learned that lesson?
Chew on This
There was no shortage of war and genocide throughout the 20th century, and while remembering such history is difficult, acknowledging it happened is the only way to honor the victims and prevent the tragedy from repeating itself.
Many people choose to look at history as something separate from their own experiences. However, when that happens, it's all too easy to forget the lessons of the past and make the same mistakes all over again.