The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (CH 6-10 Analysis)

Why might the author have decided to use the word “pajamas” to describe the prisoners' uniforms? Select all options that apply.

• The word 'pajamas' highlights Bruno's innocence.

• Because the word 'pajamas' has several positive connotations such as sleep, comfort, warmth, etc., the author's word choice is purposely ironic in order to highlight the prisoners' incredible lack of such positive things.

• The word 'pajamas' highlights Bruno's love of sleepovers.

• Because the word 'pajamas' has several positive connotations such as sleep, comfort, warmth, etc., the author chose this word in order to draw attention to how sleepy and tired the prisoners were.

Select any and all examples of dramatic irony.

• Bruno thinks it's not fair that Father makes all the decisions for the family.

• Bruno thinks his mother is selfishly taking credit for cleaning his wound even though Pavel was the one who actually helped Bruno.

• Bruno thinks that Shmuel is lucky to be on the other side of the fence with so many kids to play with.

• Bruno observes that sometimes the pajama people "fell to the ground and sometimes they didn't even get up and had to be carried away instead." (101)

Which of the possible answers explains why the following simile is an apt (appropriate, suitable) comparison? Select all that apply.

"The noise of a door slamming came from downstairs and reverberated through the house loudly--like a gunshot--that Bruno jumped and Maria let out a small scream." (62)

• Since the slamming of the door prevents Maria from finishing her statement about the horrible deeds Bruno's father commits as Commandant, the door slam is a reminder that people who spoke out against the Nazi party were often silenced by a gunshot or violence.

• The door slam reminds the readers that they should remember their manners and never criticize others.

• The comparison of the door slamming to a loud gunshot highlights the author's dramatic writing style.

• The comparison of the door slamming to a loud gunshot reminds the reader that these events take place at a concentration camp where gunshots and violence were quite frequent.

Which of the following comments from Bruno support the idea that he is still innocent and naive when it comes to understanding social hierarchy (differences in social status/standing)?

• Bruno says to Gretel, "You're only twelve anyway...So stop pretending to be older than you are." (74)

• Bruno says to Maria, "You're part of the family, aren't you?" (58)

• Bruno says to Pavel, "You're not a doctor." (82)

• Bruno asks Shmuel, "Then why do you speak German?" (111)

Read the following passage from the novel and complete the statement that follows.

"'Run me a bath, Maria, will you?' [Gretel] asked.

'Why can't you run your own bath?' snapped Bruno.

'Because she's the maid,' said Gretel, staring at him. 'That's what she's here for.'" (63)

Gretel’s expectations of Maria, as evidenced by this conversation with Bruno, suggest that ______________________.

• she expects Maria to perform the duties of her employment, regardless of what else Maria might be doing.

• she is a spoiled brat who lacks manners.

• Maria isn’t meeting Gretel’s needs.

• she is very impatient when it comes to hygiene and other such personal matters.

What does the following quote from Maria suggest about her (as well as many other Germans) who were unhappy with the way things were under Hitler’s rule?

"Bruno, if you have any sense at all, you will stay quiet and concentrate on your school work and do whatever your father tells you. We must all just keep ourselves safe until this is all over. That's what I intend to do anyway. What more can we do than that after all? It's not up to us to change things." (65)

• By telling herself that there’s nothing she can do to change things, Maria feels powerless and plunges into a deep depression that prevents her from doing her job to the best of her ability.

• By telling herself that there’s nothing she can do to change things, she accepts her powerlessness and goes about her daily routine, trying not to think about the horrible crimes being committed by the Nazi party.

• By telling Bruno that they must just stay safe until the war is over, Maria is teaching Bruno that safety comes first.

• By telling Bruno that they must just stay safe until the war is over, she is suggesting that Bruno enlist in the military when he grows up so that he can be just like his father and keep the German citizens safe.

What was the author’s purpose in including the anecdote about Herr Roller, the old man who "was often seen walking up and down the street at all hours of the day or night, having terrible arguments with himself" as well as Mother's response to Bruno's laughter (seen below)? (67)

"'He suffered a terrible injury during the Great War, an injury to his head...It's nothing to laugh at. You have no idea of what the young men went through back then. Their suffering...It was many years ago,...Before you were born. Franz was one of the young men who fought for us in the trenches. Your father knew him very well back then; I believe they served together.'

'And what happened to him?' asked Bruno.

'It doesn't matter...War is not a fit subject for conversation." (68-69)

• to highlight how immature and mischievous Bruno is since he laughed at the old man’s behavior.

• to emphasize what a terrible war World War I was by showing one of its survivors still suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) several years later.

• to lighten the mood given the depressing topic of the Holocaust.

• to show how Mother purposely avoids the topic of war. Possibly to prevent thinking about Father's new job. Possibly to protect Bruno from a topic she doesn't think is right for young children.

What is the main reason behind Bruno’s fondness for Grandmother?

• Grandmother spoils him and treats him like a king.

• While Father treats children as if they were meant to be seen and not heard, Grandmother celebrates their talents and allows them to express themselves on stage.

• While Mother insists that Bruno be polite and well-mannered, Grandmother allows Bruno to act however he please with no regard for social manners or courtesy.

• Grandmother always gives Bruno candy when he visits.

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What makes Grandmother different from any other character we’ve seen thus far?

• She loves putting on plays about German history and all the “great wrongs” that have been done to Germany.

• She speaks her mind and openly expresses her disapproval of Father and the Nazi Party.

• She enjoys drinking at parties.

• She has red hair.

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Why was the introduction of Herr Liszt important?

• Herr Liszt is most likely a spy trying to determine whether certain German citizens, including Bruno and Gretel, were disloyal to the Nazi party and report them if they were not so that they could be re-educated.

• Herr Liszt is a private teacher/tutor with who really enjoys history. Bruno's favorite new subject could end up being history because of this fact.

• The fact that he discourages Bruno from reading fiction will create a conflict with Grandmother who teaches Bruno about drama and the theater.

• Herr Liszt is a private teacher/tutor with views that are strongly aligned to the Nazi party and its ideologies. This places Bruno and Gretel at risk for youth indoctrination (teaching young people to accept a set of beliefs without questioning them whatsoever).

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