The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a novel set during World War II that tells the poignant story of an innocent friendship formed between two boys from vastly different backgrounds. The primary characters include Bruno, a naive nine-year-old boy who is uprooted from his home in Berlin to live near the Auschwitz concentration camp due to his father's position as a Nazi commandant. His curiosity about his surroundings leads him to meet Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in the camp, through a fence that separates them. Their friendship blossoms as they share experiences and stories, despite the harsh realities of their circumstances.
Bruno's sister, Gretel, represents the indoctrination of youth into Nazi ideology and displays a dismissive attitude towards her brother, while also developing a crush on a Nazi officer. The family’s maid, Maria, and their mother are depicted as individuals navigating the complexities of their roles in a household influenced by the father's oppressive job. As the story progresses, the tragic consequences of the boys' innocent actions culminate in a heart-wrenching conclusion that underscores the brutal consequences of prejudice and hatred. This narrative serves as a stark reminder of the innocence lost in the face of atrocity, making it a significant exploration of friendship and the impact of war.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: John Boyne
Alternate Title: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
First published: 2006
Genre: Novel
Locale: Berlin, Germany; Auschwitz, Poland
Plot: Historical fiction
Time: 1944–45
Bruno, an inquisitive nine-year-old boy of short stature. He is forced to move with his family from Berlin, Germany, to a home outside the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, where his father works. His father is a member of the Nazi Party. Bruno is very upset with the family's move, especially since he had to say good-bye to his three best friends. He possesses a childlike innocence and is curious about exploring his surroundings. This inquisitiveness leads him to meet Shmuel, a boy his age who is a prisoner inside the camp. They communicate through a chain-link fence, sharing stories and becoming best friends. Bruno has a tough time comprehending Shmuel's stories about the Nazis'treatment of the Jews. A year into their friendship, Shmuel's father goes missing, Bruno crosses under the fence to help. During their search, Bruno and Shmuel are led into a gas chamber, where they both die holding hands, vowing their everlasting friendship to each other.
Shmuel, a Jewish boy whose family was forced into Auschwitz. He meets Bruno from the other side of the camp's fence, and soon they become best friends. They share the same birthday and have other things in common. To keep each other company, they spend a lot of time talking and sharing stories. Through their conversations, the boys learn that they share many of the same interests and perspectives on life. Shmuel is confused over the situation and does not understand why his family is in the camp. His mother is a teacher, and his father is a watchmaker. When his father goes missing inside the camp, Shmuel enlists Bruno's help to aid in his search. He steals Bruno a pair of striped pajamas so he will go unnoticed inside the camp. They wind up in a gas chamber, where they both perish.
Gretel, Bruno's nosy twelve-year-old sister. He refers to her as Hopeless Case and claims she causes nothing but trouble for him. She always speaks highly of their father but is condescending toward Bruno and frequently reminds him that she is in charge. Even her friends in Berlin take part in teasing Bruno. Unlike her brother, Gretel does not like experiencing new things or going on adventures. She is content playing with her dolls, a childish activity that does not stop her from acting superior to Bruno. After moving to Auschwitz, she develops a fanaticism for Nazism and develops a crush on Lieutenant Kurt Kotler. Despite her dislike for her brother, she misses him dearly when he goes missing.
Maria, the family's maid. She always keeps her gaze focused on the ground and never looks up. Bruno and Maria get along well together, and he is the only family member who does not take advantage of her. When Maria's mother was little, she knew Father well. So when her mother became ill, Father took Maria into his household and paid for her mother's medical care. After her mother died, Maria was allowed to stay in Father's house as the maid. Bruno was three years old at the time.
Mother, a tall, red-headed woman and the mother of Bruno and Gretel. Mother does not want to move to Auschwitz, but she understands Father's job demands it. She has an elitist attitude and is used to getting whatever she wants. Mother often keeps the children sheltered from what is going on around them in the concentration camp. She also conceals from them her frustrations with their new surroundings in Auschwitz. When Bruno goes missing, she becomes frantic and believes perhaps he has returned to Berlin and is waiting for them at their old house. She goes back there and finds an empty home.
Father, Bruno's father, a Nazi commandant. Bruno is unsure exactly what his father does; he only knows that Hitler considers Father important and that he has a terrific uniform. Consumed by his work, Father does not spend much time with his family. One of the most crucial rules that Bruno remembers learning is to stay out of Father's office. When Bruno expresses his dislike of their new home at Auschwitz, Father considers it disrespectful. Weeks after Bruno's disappearance, Father figures out that his son crossed under the fence in striped pajamas and must have died in a gas chamber. He falls into a deep depression that causes him to become more irritable than usual.
Lieutenant Kurt Kotler, a coarse eighteen-year-old Nazi who hangs around Father's house when Father is out. He has strikingly blond hair and possesses a highly serious demeanor. Gretel has a crush on him, but Bruno detests his intimidating demeanor. When he discovers that Shmuel has been eating food smuggled to him by Bruno, he savagely beats Shmuel. He frequently degrades Bruno and Pavel.
Herr Liszt, Bruno's tutor, who tries to get him to focus less on exploring around Auschwitz and more on schoolwork. He particularly pushes history and geography on Bruno. Although he would rather be outside on an adventure, Bruno enjoys Herr Liszt's stories of explorers like Christopher Columbus. It is after his morning lessons with Herr Liszt that Bruno sneaks away to meet Shmuel.
Pavel, the family's butler when they move to Auschwitz. He is a Jewish man. Whenever Bruno looks at Pavel, he feels sad. Pavel is friendly toward Bruno, and despite his harsh situation under the Nazis, Pavel encourages Bruno to maintain a positive outlook on life.