Metaphor On page, 65 , Eliezer says the soup tasted of corpses." He doesn' literally mean it was made from corpses. What do you think this metaphorical "aste" represents about how Eliezer has been affected by what he witnessed? (Remember, prior to this incident, atter the first hanging, he said the soup had never tasted better. Why did his perception of the soup change? What does this represent?)

In the passage where Eliezer states that the soup "tasted of corpses," he employs a powerful metaphor that reflects the profound psychological and emotional toll that his experiences in the concentration camp have taken on him. This metaphorical "taste" signifies several key aspects of his transformation and the impact of the horrific events he has witnessed. 1. **Loss of Innocence and Humanity**: Initially, after the first hanging, Eliezer describes the soup as tasting wonderful, indicating a sense of hope or normalcy amidst the chaos. However, after witnessing the brutality of the hangings and the loss of life, his perception shifts dramatically. The soup now symbolizes the death and despair surrounding him. The "taste of corpses" suggests that he has become desensitized to violence and death, losing his innocence and humanity in the process. 2. **Despair and Dehumanization**: The metaphor also represents the pervasive despair that has engulfed Eliezer and his fellow prisoners. The soup, a basic sustenance, is now tainted by the horrors they have experienced. It reflects how their basic needs and comforts have been overshadowed by the constant presence of death. The taste of corpses implies that even the simplest pleasures, like food, are now intertwined with the trauma of their reality. 3. **Psychological Trauma**: Eliezer's changing perception of the soup illustrates the psychological trauma he endures. The initial enjoyment of the soup is replaced by a grim association with death, indicating that his mind is now preoccupied with the horrors he has witnessed. This shift highlights the deep psychological scars that the Holocaust has left on him, as he can no longer find solace or comfort in something as fundamental as food. 4. **Survival and Loss of Hope**: The metaphor also signifies a loss of hope. The soup, once a source of nourishment, now embodies the grim reality of survival in a dehumanizing environment. It suggests that Eliezer's will to survive is being eroded by the constant reminders of death and suffering, leading to a bleak outlook on life. In summary, Eliezer's statement about the soup tasting of corpses serves as a poignant metaphor for the profound changes he has undergone due to the atrocities he has witnessed. It encapsulates themes of loss of innocence, despair, psychological trauma, and the erosion of hope, illustrating the devastating impact of the Holocaust on his psyche.