Why does an SS guard shatter Eliezer's father's skull?

The scenario in the narrative vividly illustrates the brutality and dehumanization faced by the characters during the Holocaust. The correct answer reflects the harrowing reality of the situation, where an SS guard shatters Eliezer's father's skull as a reaction to his constant pleas for water. In the desperation and despair of the concentration camp, Eliezer's father's cries for water symbolize not just physical thirst but a deep yearning for compassion and dignity, which are brutally suppressed by the guards.

This act of violence against Eliezer's father underscores the oppressive environment where basic human needs and cries for mercy are met with extreme cruelty. The guard's violent response demonstrates the complete disregard for life and the psychological torment inflicted on both the prisoners and their loved ones, emphasizing the loss of humanity in such dire circumstances.