The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (CH 11-15 Analysis)

Why might the author have included a flashback to the dinner with Hitler rather than telling this story in chronological order? Select any and all options that apply.

• Since Hitler was the main focus of that particular chapter, the author might have waited to introduce Hitler so that our main character, Bruno, could be introduced and developed first.

• The flashback interrupts Bruno's conversation with Shmuel right when Bruno asked him why there were so many people on Shmuel's side of the fence and what they were doing over there. The flashback allows the reader to meet the person responsible for putting the Jewish people on that side of the fence and to see what kind of person he really is.

• Before allowing Shmuel to answer Bruno's questions about the people on the other side of the fence, the author interjects with this flashback in order to build suspense and keep the reader guessing about who those people were and what they were doing there.

Tags

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.3

Why would the author have Shmuel say "You're on the wrong side of the fence" to Bruno? (132) Select two options.

• It is an ironic statement because Bruno is on the "right" side of the fence for survival.

• Bruno is on the "wrong" side of the fence morally and ethically because he is on the side aligned with the Nazis.

• Bruno is on the "wrong" side of the fence because he doesn't have anyone to play with.

• Bruno is on the "wrong" side of the fence because he isn't building character and a strong work ethic through physical labor.

What effect does the fragmented conversation between Mother and Father (right after dinner with the Fury) have on the reader and/or what purpose does it serve? Select two options.

"'...to leave Berlin. And for such a place...' Mother was saying.

'...no choice, at least not if we want to continue...' said Father.

'...as if it's the most natural thing in the world and it's not, it's just not...' said Mother.

'...what would happen is I would be taken away and treated like a...' said Father.

'...expect them to grow up in a place like...' said Mother.

'...and that's an end to the matter. I don't want to hear another word on the subject...' said Father." (124)

• The fragmented conversation indicates how much a nine-year-old might be able to understand from a conversation between adults while still providing the reader enough information to infer what the conversation was about.

• The fragmented conversation causes critical information to be left out which makes reader just as confused and oblivious as Bruno regarding what is happening.

• The fragmented conversation highlights Bruno's poor hearing and, therefore, causes the reader to feel sympathetic towards Bruno.

• The fragmented conversation conveys the concerns Mother has about raising children at a concentration camp and also alludes to the consequences Father would face had he refused to move to Out-With.

Hitler sits down at the head of the table when he comes to dinner in Bruno's father's home. What symbolism does the author wish to convey with this seemingly simple action? Select any and all that apply.

• The author wishes to convey how many Germans looked to Hitler as they would a father figure, someone who promised to protect and take care of them. By taking a seat at the head of the table, Hitler assumes the position of the nation’s patriarch.

• The author wishes to convey that Hitler is oblivious of social norms and most likely didn’t realize that he had sat at the head of the table.

• The author wishes to convey that Hitler is shorter than Father and most likely had to sit in a booster seat at the head of the table in order to be able to see everyone.

• The author wishes to convey the confusion many Germans felt once Hitler took power. By unexpectedly taking the seat at the head of the table, Hitler puts himself in a position where he is ultimately not wanted by his hosts.

Of the following details from the text, which supports the idea that excessive nationalistic pride can cause people to be intolerant of other cultures or ideas? Select any and all that apply.

• "I don't know anyone who can speak two languages. And especially no one of our age." (111)

• "Mama is a teacher in my school and she taught me German...she said she'd teach me English one day because I might need to know it." (111)

• "French is a beautiful language and you are very clever to be learning it." (122)

• "'I can speak French too,' [Gretel] added...

  'Yes, but why would you want to?' asked the Fury..." (122)

Select any and all details from the novel that are likely not historically accurate, but included to create the outcome of the story.

• the replacement of the former commandant with Father

• Kotler's ruthless treatment of the Jewish prisoners

• Bruno’s extreme naïveté despite Shmuel’s attempts to inform him of the awful conditions in the Cracow ghetto and in Out-With itself

• A large gap in the fence that is not electrified

Select the piece of evidence which most strongly suggests that Lieutenant Kotler and Mother are having an affair.

• Kotler "was always in the living room with Mother and making jokes with her, and Mother laughed at his jokes more than she laughed at Father's." (162)

• "...whenever Father was called away to Berlin on an overnight trip the lieutenant hung around the house as if he were in charge: he would be there when Bruno was going to bed and be back again in the morning before he even woke up." (163)

• Kotler has been "whispering alone in rooms with Mother." (96)

• "'You'll have to forgive my brother, Lieutenant Kotler,' said Gretel, laying a hand on his arm for a moment, which made Mother stare at her and narrow her eyes." (144)

Why doesn't Bruno tell Lieutenant Kotler that he gave Shmuel the chicken?

• Bruno is afraid of what Lieutenant Kotler might do to him since he knows how much Kotler loves chicken.

• Bruno is afraid of Lieutenant Kotler because Bruno witnessed what Kotler did to a dog and to Pavel for spilling wine.

• Bruno is still angry with Shmuel for saying that there are no good soldiers even though Bruno's father is a soldier, so he gets Shmuel in trouble on purpose.

• Bruno is a pathological liar and can't help himself. When he gets into stressful situation that might result in dire consequences for himself, Bruno lies through his teeth.

Which statement most likely explains the author's decision to juxtapose (put two things in contrast/comparison to each other) the two symbols on page 127?

• The author chose to juxtapose the Star of David and the swastika to encourage cultural awareness within Bruno and Shmuel. This juxtaposition celebrates the Jewish and German cultures while encouraging readers to conduct further research about the two.

• The juxtaposition of the two symbols reveals the similarities between the two images as well as the similarities between the two types of people they represent.

• The juxtaposition of the two symbols highlights the vastly (greatly) different lives the two boys lead, in part, because of these symbols and what they represent. In addition, this juxtaposition emphasizes the fact that both symbols represent people as well as how prejudice and intolerance have led some people to focus on their differences rather than their similarities.

• The author chose to juxtapose the Star of David and the swastika to break up the many pages of text within the novel with some artistic designs.

Which of the following character pairs are strong examples of foils? Select any and all options that apply.

• Kotler and Pavel

• Bruno and Shmuel

• Grandmother and Grandfather

• Herr Roller and Herr Liszt