Night by Elie Wiesel - Abuse of Power Activity Slides, Article, and Assignment
Help students examine how authority and power can influence behavior with this thought-provoking activity connecting Night by Elie Wiesel and the Stanford Prison Experiment. In this lesson, students learn about the famous psychological study and then apply that understanding to key moments in the memoir where power is abused. By drawing clear parallels between the experiment and events in Night by Elie Wiesel, students reflect on how systems of authority can shape individual choices. This activity is best assigned after Chapter 4, when students have encountered several powerful examples of shifting power dynamics within the camps.
This is included in a unit plan:
→ Night by Elie Wiesel Unit Plan
Included in the Stanford Prison Experiment & Night by Elie Wiesel Activity:
➡️ Stanford Prison Experiment Presentation Slides: Use this engaging presentation to introduce students to the purpose, structure, and outcomes of the Stanford Prison Experiment. The slides explain how participants quickly adopted roles of authority and submission, and guide students in thinking about how power structures influence behavior. The presentation also provides context for examining similar dynamics in Night by Elie Wiesel, helping students prepare for meaningful literary connections.
➡️ Nonfiction Reading Article – The Stanford Prison Experiment: Students read a nonfiction article outlining the key details of the experiment, including how it was conducted and what researchers observed. The article builds essential background knowledge and gives students a foundation for comparing the psychological study to events in Night by Elie Wiesel.
➡️ Night by Elie Wiesel Connection Assignment: Using a structured graphic organizer, students identify three scenes from the memoir that involve an abuse of power and explain how each connects to findings from the Stanford Prison Experiment. The assignment concludes with a reflection prompt asking students to consider how power influences behavior and why understanding these patterns matters. A detailed answer key is included to support grading or class discussion.
If you like this, you'll love this resource:
→ A Year of English Bell Ringers
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