16 Essays - Films, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

Myisha Hassan 2/22/16 Essays - Films, The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas Myisha Hassan 2/22/16 626 ELA Holocaust Essay In class, we have been learning about one of the darkest moments in world history - the Holocaust. We have read and analyzed the historical fiction text, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas , by John Boyne. We have also read and analyzed various non-fiction texts, examined propaganda posters, analyzed photos, and also listened to and analyzed various eye-witness testimonies. We have come to understand that the Holocaust was one of the worst genocides in world history during which time six million Jews, and millions of others, were systematically murdered by Nazi Germany. There are many central themes throughout the novel and the author utilizes it through the main characters of the story. Innocence is an important theme throughou t the novel. Although Bruno and Shmuel share a certain childlike innocence, the reality is that Shmuel is a prisoner in Auschwitz and has certainly seen horrific sights. Bruno, on the other hand, is fiercely protected by his parents who do not want him to know about the horrors of the reality that is the Holocaust; in particular, they go to great lengths to keep the details of Bruno's father's job a secret from him. The juxtaposition of such innocence with the inherent evil of the Holocaust sets a disturbing tone. This theme increases the idea that hatred and prejudice are learned behaviors. A nother significant theme in the novel is friendship. The desire for friendship is universal and at no time is it more important than during childhood. Bruno and Shmuel exist in two completely different worlds but share a connected desire for f riendship during a difficult and lonely time. In spite of differences , Bruno and Shmuel have a meaningful friendship. As their friendship develops, it is teste d on many occasions as the boys are lead to their individual realities. When Shmuel is brought to Bruno's house to work as a servant, Bruno denies knowing him and giving him food; consequently, Shmuel is punished for stealing food (which Bruno had given him). Both boys know that they would be in terrible trouble if anyone were to find out about their friendship so they keep it a secret. Ultimately, the boys unknowingly march to their death hand in hand with no one in the world but each other. The theme of human nature also proves to be central to the story. Readers will question how Bruno's father and sister, along with so many other Germans, can be such loyal believers in the Nazi propaganda while Bruno remains compassionate and even, some might argue , to the same ideas. Bruno and Shmuel represent all that is kind and noble in humans as well as the potential that they have to do well. Interchangeably , Bruno's father and Lieutenant Kotler reveal man's capacity for evil. The novel points out the choice humans must make regarding how they treat others. On a similar note, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas also considers the dangers of obedience and people's objection to take a stand in the face of misery. As you can see, John Boyne has developed many important themes during the reader read the novel. The author utilized the main characters in order to convey the central theme of the text. The themes innocence, friendship , and human nature have a huge impact on Bruno as well as other characters throughout the novel. Bruno and Shmuel had the same innocence in the beginning of the novel, they did not know why they were on two different sides of the huge tall fence.