Written by John Boyne, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” features a gripping plot that vividly portrays the horrors of war through the innocent perspective of a nine-year-old boy. The book is narrated in third person limited, allowing readers to see the events unfold from the viewpoint of an ignorant German boy named Bruno. Despite their stark differences, Bruno forms a peculiar friendship with Shmuel, a young Jewish prisoner who resides in a nearby concentration camp. This touching story delves into the unlikely bond that forms between the son of a Nazi death camp commandant and a Jewish captive.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a tale that explores the friendship between Bruno and Shmuel, highlighting the atrocities of the Holocaust in 1939. This narrative, presented through the perspectives of two nine-year-old boys, effectively conveys the harrowing nature of war. Bruno, the central character, serves as a vehicle for the author to illustrate the horrifying realities through this novel. With interactions involving his Father, Mother, and Sister (Gretel), as well as his newfound companion Shmuel, we gain insight into Bruno’s character.
Understanding Bruno’s character would be challenging without the involvement of other characters in the novel, the use of descriptive language, and the dialogues he engages in. Through conversations, Bruno reveals that on one side of the fence there are barracks, huts, low square buildings, hunger, and smoke stacks, while on the other side exists a home and garden.
Through exchanging remarks and engaging in conversations, the characters develop a friendship despite their different circumstances. Their discussions about their surroundings provide insight into each character’s personality. As the novel progresses, Bruno forms various relationships, and these conversations reveal more about him. The way characters interact with one another is essential for understanding their unique traits within a story.
When examining Bruno’s relationships, specifically with Shmuel, we can discover aspects of Bruno’s personality that are not apparent in his interactions with his family. Through his bond with Shmuel, Bruno showcases friendliness, absence of judgment, and a readiness to converse with anyone willing to engage. This exposes feelings of loneliness and a strong urge to avoid hurting Shmuel, as portrayed by the author through Bruno’s inner thoughts. It is noteworthy that Bruno readily embraces his new friend.
It is truly devastating as a reader to realize that Bruno may be the only one who is unaware of his surroundings and the situation at hand. This is what elicits sympathy for Bruno. Through their friendship, we gain further understanding of the protagonist and from both perspectives, it becomes evident that this friendship should not exist. Despite Bruno’s seemingly perceptive nature, he remains oblivious to the truth. This notion is exemplified in a specific conversation between Bruno and Shmuel, where Shmuel tells Bruno, “We’re not supposed to be friends, you and me.”
“We’re meant to be enemies. Did you know that?” Shmuel knew exactly what was going on. It is the conversations of comparisons of their own lives, by the boys, that you begin to see the ugly truth of the war and your ideas of Bruno’s character begin to change as a reader. Importantly is the relationship that Bruno builds with the character Shmuel. The author has cleverly made their dates of birth on the same day. This immediately forms a strong basis for an instant friendship as they already have found something in common, despite all the differences between them (p. 109).
The Holocaust provides insight into the differences and similarities of characters through the perspective of innocent children. The relationship between Bruno and his sister, Gretel, mirrors the typical dynamic of siblings who often clash. This relatable aspect allows readers to connect with their experiences. In the novel (p. 21), Gretel is initially portrayed as a cruel person who finds joy in teasing her brother. Bruno consistently labels her as “hopeless” and holds her responsible for his problems.
Although Bruno and his sister have a difficult relationship, there are moments when they can have civilized conversations. John Boyne, the author, portrays this when Bruno decides to make one of those moments happen (p. 153). This conversation between Bruno and his sister reflects their overall relationship. Through their conversation (pp. 2-38), we learn a lot about both the family’s new location and what they can see – “barbed wire fences and people in pyjamas”. In their relationship, Bruno and Gretel question each other’s beliefs and emotions. This interaction between the siblings helps develop Bruno’s character and his relationships with his family. The novel, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”, uses descriptive language to vividly depict scenes in the reader’s mind.
The text emphasizes the importance of language in creating vivid imagery and engaging the reader. It specifically highlights the use of descriptive language in chapter four to vividly depict the setting. By knowing the setting, readers gain deeper insights into the character and their development. Throughout the book, the narrator extensively describes Bruno’s character, stating that he is consistently truthful, curious, and even brave (p. 46).
Throughout the story, the narrator’s description of Bruno as “brave” had a lasting impact on my perception of him. This was because Bruno’s bravery served as a catalyst for the development of the storyline. It is evident from the narrator’s portrayal that Bruno’s father is authoritative and instills fear in him. Despite this, Bruno demonstrates his bravery by questioning the decision to stay in Berlin. The narrator emphasizes Bruno’s fear of his father by describing how Bruno nervously swallowed after challenging him.
The author suggests that Bruno avoids making eye contact with his father, indicating that he is aware of the negative consequences of challenging his father’s gaze (p.51). This portrayal of Bruno implies that he is a sensitive and well-adjusted young boy who fears his father, contradicting the perception of him as self-centered based on his conversations with others. Another instance highlighting Bruno’s character is demonstrated through descriptive language employed by the narrator during an encounter between Lieutenant Kotler and Pavel, one of Bruno’s servants (p.75). Bruno internalizes a sense of shame in response to the Lieutenant’s harsh tone towards someone he knows personally. This depiction of Bruno not only confirms his non-egotistical nature but also reveals his gentle side. Consequently, as readers, we sympathize with Bruno and perceive him as the most likable character in the novel. Dialogue plays a significant role in establishing the settings, events, conflicts, and resolutions within the novel, primarily concerning Bruno. The conversations between various characters not only contribute to Bruno’s development but also provide us with a deeper understanding of his personality, allowing moments of relatability.Regarding a character, their interactions with family members helped me understand the plot better. I could personally relate to the dialogues between Bruno and his sister Gretel, as well as his discussions with his mother. It is apparent from their conversations that Bruno dislikes the new location they have moved to. For instance, Bruno repeatedly insists to his mother that they should return to their previous home.
Bruno’s insistence with his mother inquiring about leaving made it clear that he had a tendency to get his own way. However, his mother’s dismissive response implied that their current circumstances wouldn’t change, regardless of how persistent Bruno was. As children, we often try to persuade our parents by being insistent, hoping to achieve our desired outcome. Nevertheless, the mother’s final decision became evident when she insisted that Bruno go upstairs to unpack and cease discussing their departure.
Bruno goes upstairs to unpack. His conversation with Maria, the maid, reveals that Bruno is not accustomed to not getting his way. During their conversation, Bruno expresses his weariness of hearing about his father’s job and suggests that his father should reconsider it. This interaction with Maria exposes the fact that Bruno has someone other than his sister Gretel whom he can confide in and who makes him feel at ease enough to openly share and question his private thoughts. (p. 17.)
Understanding Bruno’s thoughts and emotions adds depth to his character. These intimate conversations, unique to Bruno’s interactions with no other character in the novel, reveal his true feelings about his father and their new home. My perception of Bruno shifts when he encounters Shmuel. In their initial meeting (Chapter ten), they exchange a few questions and unknowingly discover their striking similarities. The boys’ interactions and dialogue evoke sadness and expose harsh realities for the reader.
Bruno is unsure of where he is and is aware of the concepts of war and Shmuel being in a prison camp. Their conversations across the fence reveal these ideas. When Bruno mentions friends to Shmuel, it becomes evident to the reader how lonely Bruno feels. Bruno expresses his frustration, saying, ‘It’s so unfair,’ he said. ‘I don’t understand why I have to be on this side of the fence with no one to talk to or play with, while you have numerous friends and likely get to play for hours every day.’
I will need to discuss this with my father,” mentioned Bruno (pp. 110-111). This exchange exhibits the stark contrast between two seemingly identical children leading drastically different lives. Bruno cannot comprehend the circumstances in which Shmuel resides. As a reader, it becomes challenging to fathom such immense horror. Nevertheless, the innocence in the boys’ conversations allows one to continuously witness and genuinely grasp the horrors of the Holocaust.
The introduction of Shmuel and the conversations between these boys, whether on opposite sides of the fence or when Bruno enters the camp, not only develops Bruno’s character but also has an impact on the reader. The dialogues between them reveal a story that is unforgettable, like a detailed sketch. The author employs relationships with other characters, descriptive language, and dialogues to portray Bruno’s character in multiple ways.
Through Bruno’s perspective and the author’s use of interaction, dialogue, and descriptive language, we have gained invaluable insight into the Holocaust. The experiences depicted by a nine-year-old child reveal the true horrors of war, making us as readers more aware of its atrocities. John Boyne’s techniques effectively convey the impact of the Holocaust, not only on the characters in the novel but also on us as readers.
The author effectively uses Bruno’s character in the novel to provide an unfiltered and genuine portrayal of the Holocaust. By depicting Bruno as innocent and having a truthful understanding of the events, the author conveys the harsh reality of this dark period. Through the perspective of a nine-year-old, this book accurately depicts the immense sufferings endured by numerous people under German control. It serves as a poignant reminder of how hatred and war can have devastating consequences.
