Question

Why did Elie's father give Elie the knife?

A) For self-defense
B) Symbolic gesture of protection
C) To instill discipline
D) Superstitious beliefs

Answer 1

Elie's father gave him the knife as a symbolic gesture of protection.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elie's father gave him the knife as a symbolic gesture of protection. It represented his father's hope that Elie would be able to defend himself in the harsh and dangerous environment of the concentration camps during the Holocaust. The knife provided a sense of security and comfort for Elie, even if it was largely symbolic in nature.