Night by Elie Wiesel - Holocaust Shoe Symbolism Essay, Assignment, & Activity

Help students examine symbolism in a meaningful and memorable way with this reflective activity inspired by Night by Elie Wiesel and Dara Horn’s essay “Walking With Living Feet.” In this lesson, students explore the symbolic role of shoes during the Holocaust and consider how ordinary objects can carry powerful meaning tied to identity, memory, and loss. Through nonfiction reading, guided analysis, and a creative identity project, students connect historical context to Night symbolism while also reflecting on their own sense of self. This activity works especially well after Chapter 4, when the significance of shoes becomes especially clear in the memoir.

This is included in a unit plan:
→ Night by Elie Wiesel Unit Plan

Included in the Night by Elie Wiesel Shoe Symbolism Activity:

➡️ Shoe Symbolism Presentation Slides: Use this 20-slide PowerPoint to introduce the symbolic meaning of shoes in Night by Elie Wiesel and within Holocaust history more broadly. The presentation includes discussion prompts, relevant historical background, and guided analysis of quotes and ideas from both the memoir and Dara Horn’s essay. Students examine how shoes represent identity, dignity, memory, and loss, preparing them for deeper written and creative responses.

➡️ “Walking With Living Feet” Essay: Students read Dara Horn’s reflective essay about her visit to the Majdanek concentration camp and her response to seeing piles of victims’ shoes. (The essay text is not included due to copyright, but a link is provided for access.) This nonfiction reading expands students’ understanding of how objects can hold emotional and historical weight, reinforcing themes present in Night by Elie Wiesel.

➡️ Essay and Night Analysis Questions: A structured set of five detailed questions guides students in analyzing Horn’s essay and connecting it to Night symbolism. Students focus on themes such as memory, identity, setting, and the personal significance of shoes during the Holocaust, citing evidence from both texts in their responses.

➡️ Walking in My Shoes Identity Art Project: Students apply their understanding of symbolism by designing a symbolic shoe that represents their own identity. Using guided planning sheets, they brainstorm meaningful elements—such as values, interests, relationships, roots, and goals—and incorporate these ideas into a creative final product. This culminating activity blends literary analysis with personal reflection, allowing students to connect Night by Elie Wiesel to their own lives in a thoughtful way.

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