Boy in Stripped Pyjamas The boy in the stripped pyjamas by John Boyne details the life of a 8 year old Bruno and his German family during the time of the second world war Boyne alters the story’s narration to a third person limited view to somewhat conform Bruno’s perspectives of his surroundings which often includes childish opinions and lack of common sense. Much of the story follows Bruno’s internal struggles as his life changes drastically Bruno goes from a time living in a luxurious home in berlin, without a care in the world, playing with friends and being a child to living in an unpleasant home on a disturbing death camp due to his fathers promotion in a high ranking Military official in Hitler’s arm force. Bruno is constantly curious
The Holocaust was a devastating event that had outreaching effects on many groups of people and many countries. Although most of this devastation happened to the Jewish Race. There are many books, movies, memoirs, and academic journals regarding the Holocaust, portraying how it affected different people and their stories. One memoir that will be discussed is Night written by Elie Wiesel about his life during the Holocaust. Also a movie by the name of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas will be discussed.
John Boyne is the author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, his most notable book, The Thief of Time, The Boy at the Top of the Mountain, and many others. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, and is 45 years old. The author’s use of tone and imagery in The Boy and the Striped Pajamas is very descriptive. Boyne used vivid expressions to describe how the characters talk to each other and how they think. He often uses the innocent tone of a nine year old boy to contrast against the horrors of Nazi Germany.
There are ones to rely on, who will have people’s backs through thick and thin, and display humanity in every step. The dictionary states, “Humanity is the quality or condition of being human or humane” (“Humanity”). This means people are humans because of the way they react to certain situations. For instance, humans have feelings and characteristics such as compassion, sympathy, consideration, and kindness. People’s feelings toward others mark them apart from all other animals.
One of the themes in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is that fear can prevent people from doing the right thing. The theme is developed by the two main characters, Bruno and Shmuel. Shmuel is a Jewish boy that is in a concentration camp and Bruno is the son of an SS officer. And through unlikely circumstances they become friends. But fear takes hold of them and makes them help themselves and not each other.
John Boyne wrote this book over the horrifying topic of the holocaust. John Boyne 's approach towards this event both awes and terrifies the reader. It definitely captures a child’s perspective from this terrible event. It was very creative how he wrote this book to captivate us into one of the most well known events in history. Bruno 's relationship with Gretel is more of a love/hate relationship.
Back then there were walls that divided countries, families, and friends. Because of walls, many authors write about the lifestyle of living there. Author John Boyne and Jennifer A. Nielsen both wrote books surrounding different walls. In Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, it takes place when the Jews had no right to do anything because of their religion.
Crisis as Displayed in Night and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas How would crisis be handled by most? It may not be the way many people would think. Many people would like to think that they would be selfless and helpful when faced with a crisis. However, evidence from Night by Elie Wiesel and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by Mark Herman would show otherwise. In fact, it seems like quite the opposite.
Friendship In The Boy In The Striped Pajamas, written by John Boyne, a major theme is that one real friend is better than a million fake ones. It is woven throughout this book in numerous places. The definition of friendship is, “the emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends.” Two of the characters, Bruno, our protagonist, and Shmuel, his new friend in a strange, unfriendly environment have this amazing bond.
“Shmuel may well have opened his mouth to say something back, but Bruno never heard it… as the door at the front was suddenly closed and a loud metallic sound rang through from the outside” (Boyne 213). The Holocaust was a tragic event that happened all throughout Europe from 1933-1945. The Nazi’s would take Jews or any other person who could potentially hurt them and hold them captive. There were concentration camps that held these people. They were forced to work long hard days with little food and water.