Setting  The novel is set in  What was happening in the world during this time?  WORLD WAR TWO: 1939 to 1945  Fought between two groups of countries:  1: Axis Powers  Germany, Italy, Japan  2: Allies  Britain, France, Australia, Canada, Soviet Union, China and the USA.  The novel begins in Berlin, Germany, and moves to Poland, where Bruno’s family live in a house he calls ‘Out-With’. This is near the death camp, Auschwitz.

Perspective: who’s eyes do we see the novel through?  The story is told in third person from the perspective of a nine-year old child.  Why do you think this is?  Is it effective?  When we see things through Bruno’s eyes, there is a sense of ignorance, or not knowing  innocence.  It is a unique perspective because it is from a young German boy who is unaware of the evils of the Nazis.

Characters: (PP pg )  Bruno:  Main character  He is nine years old and the son of a Nazi commandant.  His family move from Berlin to Poland and he is very unhappy because he misses his three best friends for life (Karl, Daniel and Martin).  He loves exploring and on one of his adventures, he discovers Shmuel.

Mother  Did not want to move from Berlin, and didn’t think ‘Out-With’ was a suitable place for Bruno and Gretel to grow up in.  Prejudiced against the Jews but her opinion changes.

Father  Nazi officer who gets promoted to be Commandant of Auschwitz Concentration Camp  Believed he was working for the good of Germany  Very hard worker but does not spend much time with his family

Shmuel  P. 106  Smaller than Bruno  Forlorn expression  Wears striped pyjamas but has no shoes or socks  His skin was almost the colour of grey  He has sad eyes  “Bruno was sure that he had never seen a skinnier or sadder boy in his life..” (p. 107).

Bruno and Schmuel  ‘We’re like twins,’ said Bruno ‘A little bit,’ agreed Shmuel. What makes Bruno and Shmuel so similar? What makes them so different from each other? Why do you think the author makes Bruno and Shmuel seem so similar?

Key Themes  Theme = a central idea or message that a text conveys to a reader. 1. INNOCENCE 1. Bruno and Shmuel share a childlike innocence 2. Shmuel has seen the harsh realities of camp life 3. Bruno is protected from the realities of the Holocaust 4. Hatred and prejudice are learned behaviours

2. Friendship  Desire for friendship is universal  Bruno and Shmuel live in two opposite worlds but share the desire for friendship  Despite their differences, they form a strong friendship. With a partner, discuss the development of Bruno and Shmuel’s friendship. How do they treat each other?

3. Human Nature  How did it happen that so many Germans believed Nazi propaganda?  Bruno and Shmuel represent all that is good and kind in humanity  Bruno’s father and Lieutenant Kotler represent man’s capacity for evil  Choices about how we treat others

The ending  Did the deaths of Bruno and Shmuel impact you in any way? ‘Of course all this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever happen again. Not in this day and age.’ (p.215) Why does the author end with these words? Is this the truth or a warning?

Criticism  Perspectives Pack p. 241  Some critics find the novel an ‘unacceptable fabrication’ – there were no nine-year old boys in Auschwitz  Some are offended that the camp in presented in a way that seems not so bad.

Class discussion  How do you feel about this book – do you like it or not?  What do you like about it?  What don’t you like about it?