Elie's father was always into caring and providing for the family. Even when the Germans invaded Sighet Elie's father was still providing and looking out for his family. "'When is our turn coming?' I asked my father. 'The day after tomorrow. At least-at least, unless things turn out differently. A miracle, perhaps...' 'Sleep well, children. It's not until the day after tomorrow, Tuesday.'"(15-16) All through the book Elie tried to protect his father, to help him through all the hard times. When Elie's foot was hurt, his father took care of him and made him go to the doctor. He helped him out of the hospital and stayed with him until he died. But once his father got sick, Elie really became the father. He nursed his father, cared for him, and provided bread and soup rations that were supposed to be his for him. He helped him get through Dr. Mengele's selection by distracting the Gestapo and pushing him into the other line. His father was very incoherent through the whole thing and did what Elie told him to. He could have left his father, taken his rations of bread, or even killed him over a little amount of food. When Elie and his father made the long journey with the rest of the camp to Gleiwitz was when Elie and his father really switched roles. Elie's father told him not to sleep in the snow because he would sleep forever (84). Then when his father was tired he would tell his father not to sleep in the snow. But his father never helped Elie out again. There were never any comforting words from him anymore. And then Elie's father got sick. He told Elie that all he wanted was water and Elie knew it was bad for him so he did not give it to him. He only gave it to him after the other prisoners were beating him for screaming. After that his father died and Elie never got to say goodbye to him. He didn't even let him know that it was b...