The Boy in the Striped Pajamas’ continues the literary tradition of the Holocaust’s evil through the eyes a child. It contrasts man’s inhumanity and man’s love with the different aspects of his humanity. However, the main theme is the depiction of children’s innocence. It shows that children will always see other children as they are, regardless of their circumstances. They don’t see color or race.
John Boyne, author, believes that only a child could see the Holocaust through his eyes. Demonstrating how Bruno, Shmuel and their innocence despite the horrors of war, Boyne admits the Holocaust’s horrors can only be understood by those who have actually lived them. It speaks for the victims, particularly the millions of children who died at the hands the Nazis. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas focuses more on the individual relationships than the Holocaust and its cruelty. This makes it so powerful. Bruno’s confusion about why people wearing striped pajamas should be considered “nonhumans” and their differences from other people is on one side. There is also awareness of reality and an unnatural acceptance for the world as it exists.
Boyne categorizes the Boy in the Striped Pajamas’ as a fairy tale, one that is meant to teach moral lessons. The movie is a good example of this category because it teaches many valuable lessons. The most important lesson is the last sentence, which states that “Nothing like this could ever happen again. Not in this age and time.” It forces viewers confront the reality of hatred, discrimination, intolerance, and other destructive forces that still exist in the world. A viewer might reflect on their own prejudices as well as the actions of others, possibly wondering if it was wrong to mistreat others. A few viewers may consider their roles in the Holocaust.
Bruno is a remarkable young boy with a strong sense of ethics and morality. His father is not a Nazi. But, I think it’s something he got from his grandmother and mother. Bruno is not like many Nazis and does not consider anyone else less or less human. Bruno is more interested than in differences. He seeks out loyalty, trust, kindness and compassion in people. These qualities are found in every human being, regardless of race, class, or nationality.
Bruno has a few complaints when he must leave Berlin. The worst part is that he doesn’t have any other children or families when he arrives at Auschwitz’s new house. Despite their differences in race, the bond between them transcends all. Bruno confidently replies no when asked whether he wants to return to Berlin. Bruno and Shmuel are a shining example of friendship in a world that is dominated by hate. This hatred was not shared by Shmuel and Bruno. They were two boys of little stature who didn’t have any idea of the world around them nor what its names were. Every indicator can show that Shmuel views everything differently from Bruno. He is still the same kid who needs training, education, care and support.
Shmuel Bruno is both free and restricted. Both are restricted to the places they have been forced to visit, and can’t leave. The book’s barbed wire fence, which is clearly used to separate the characters from each other, also serves as a symbol for other kinds of separation. This idea of a ‘boundaries’ is present throughout the movie. It refers to Bruno’s idea that there are limits to who he could befriend or who he could act. Also, there is a significant difference in the living situations of those on opposite sides. There is a huge difference in the living conditions of the people on opposite sides of the fence. Shmuel is in concentration camp, while Bruno is in his house. Shmuel’s confinement is extreme. He is first locked in his house. Then he moves to a shared area, then onto a train. Finally, he is in Auschwitz. Bruno is able to leave his house whenever he likes and doesn’t have to fear for his safety. Both boys are lonely in their isolation. They are able to find some freedom through their unlikely friendship.
While there isn’t much warfare visible from Bruno’s end of the fence’s boundary, it’s very evident from Shmuel’s. Shmuel’
His mother’s allegedly taken away, his grandfather reportedly ‘disappears’, and his father isn’t seen at work for a while. It’s easy to see that your entire population is under attack. This is what Shmuel, and all the other Auschwitz prisoners, found out.
The wood symbolises the Boy in the Striped Pajamas. It is the boundary between the good’ (Nazis) and the bad’ (Jews). The boy finds the concentration camp and must cross it every time he visits. The boy decides to pretend to be a Jew and enters the camp. His family is forced to follow his lead. They believe that Jews have been the enemy. But if a Nazi son is mistakenly identified as a Jew by them, it forces them into the reality that Jews can and will be the same.
Summarising all, history is full of many lies. Holocaust is one event that is well-known but not widely known. The book is written by the author, who brings to light the lives and experiences of Polish Jews. One person’s view of reality and the cruelty that it brings is life through his eyes. A boy who was looking for friends. He found them. Two lives, different social classes shared the same fate. The shocking conclusion of the novel is beyond comprehension for children, but it also defies their worldview.