The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
by John Boyne
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eNotes: Table of Contents
1. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: eNotes Synopsis
2. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: eNotes Essentials
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: eNotes Synopsis
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a fictional tale of the unlikeliest of friends: the son of a Nazi commandant
and a Jewish concentration camp inmate. Written by John Boyne and published in 2006 by David Fickling
Books, the story was made into a major motion picture in 2008.
The novel, set in Nazi Germany, begins when nine-year-old Bruno and his family must move from their
lovely home in Berlin to a new house in an unfamiliar place called "Out With." Tempted to explore his new
environment, Bruno is told that there are certain places that are "Out Of Bounds At All Times And No
Exceptions." Unable to fight his adventuresome spirit, however, Bruno ventures forth into the unknown one
afternoon.
Bruno comes upon a fence that he follows until he sees a young boy sitting on the other side of the fence. The
shoeless boy is wearing striped pajamas and a cloth cap. Bruno also notices that the boy is wearing an
armband with a star on it. Bruno makes fast friends with the boy, Shmuel, and they quickly discover that they
share the same birthday. The boys discuss their families and where they are from. At the end of their first
meeting, Bruno asks Shmuel why there are so many people on his side of the fence and what they are doing
there. A few days later, Bruno's father has dinner guests; the man's name is "the Fury" and his date is called
Eva. Bruno instantly dislikes the couple. Bruno's sister Gretel, whom he refers to as "the Hopeless Case," is
smitten by the man and tries hard to impress him and his lady friend. Bruno, however, is disgusted by his
sister's behavior and her budding romance with a young soldier.
Much like Bruno hears "Auschwitz" as "Out With," he also incorrectly hears "the Führer" as "the Fury."
Boyner masterfully tells the story from Bruno's perspective; it is clear that the innocence of Bruno's childhood
remains intact despite the fact that he is living on the periphery of a death camp and has met Adolf Hitler.
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Bruno continues to explore the woods near his house and often finds himself at the fence spending time with
Shmuel. Bruno brings him food, and the friends lament the fact that they cannot explore together or play a
game of football. Shmuel confides in Bruno that he is unable to find his father and he is worried. Bruno vows
to help Shmuel look for his father; to that end, Shmuel promises to get Bruno some pajamas so that he will
blend in on his side of the fence.
One fateful day, Bruno sheds his clothes, dons the pajamas, and sneaks onto Shmuel's side of the fence. As the
boys search for Shmuel's father, the soldiers herd the prisoners, Bruno among them, into the gas chambers
where they meet their untimely death hand in hand.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas explores the beauty of a child's innocence in a time of war, the common
desire we all have for friendship, and the fences—both literal and figurative—that we must all navigate and
choose whether or not to break down.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: eNotes Essentials
Summary
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a story about childhood innocence, friendship, and the importance of
breaking down the fences we put up around ourselves.
The novel is told from the perspective of nine-year-old Bruno, the son of a Nazi commandant. Bruno arrives
home from school one day to find the family's maid packing their things. Unbeknownst to Bruno, his father
has been selected to oversee operations at Auschwitz (which Bruno hears as "Out With") and the family will
be joining him. Bruno is devastated to leave his home, his friends and his grandparents in Berlin. The situation
becomes even worse when the family arrives at their new home which is stark and isolated. Bruno is
instructed by his parents that there are certain rooms that are "Out Of Bounds At All Times And No
Exceptions." This includes the vast property behind the house which seems to beckon Bruno. With no idea
what is happening just behind his home, Bruno laments the lack of children his age and fun activities in "Out
With."
Bruno's twelve-year-old sister, Gretel, is an all-too-eager believer in the Nazi rhetoric being espoused to
German youth. Her zeal for Nazi ideology increases when the family moves to Auschwitz and she develops a
crush on a Nazi soldier, Lieutenant Kotler, who is a frequent visitor to the family's home. Bruno instantly
dislikes Kotler, who patronizes him. Gretel is an all-too-eager student of Herr Liszt, the tutor hired by the
children's father to home school them. He unabashedly promotes Nazi propaganda and anti-Semitism of
which Bruno is skeptical.
From his bedroom window, Bruno can see hundreds if not thousands of people wearing pajamas working on
what Bruno believes to be a farm. When Bruno's desire to explore gets the best of him, he embarks on an
adventure which leads him to an endlessly long fence. Bruno follows the fence and after walking for quite a
while, he sees a boy sitting by the fence. Bruno approaches him and notices that he is wearing the same
pajamas as everyone else on that side of the fence along with a striped cloth cap. Bruno makes note of the
boy's filthy feet which are bare. Bruno is struck by the boy's sad eyes and ashen skin. Shmuel introduces
himself and the two strike up a conversation. They soon discover that they share the same birthday: April 15,
1934. Bruno realizes how lonely he has been since the family moved to "Out With." He misses his friends
from school, Martin, Karl and Daniel. Shmuel tells Bruno how there are many boys his age on his side of the
fence and Bruno instantly deems this unfair; he plans to speak to his father about how he wants to be able to
play with the boys on the other side of the fence. Bruno tells Shmuel he is from Berlin and Shmuel reveals
that he is from Poland; neither has ever heard of the other's home. Bruno suggests that Germany is better than
Poland because the Germans are "superior," remembering what he has learned in his geography lessons with
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his tutor, Herr Liszt. The two boys continue their discussion and Bruno finally works up to courage to ask
Shmuel why there are so many people on his side of the fence and what they are doing there.
Bruno continues to visit Shmuel, often bringing him food. Each and every day, Bruno suggests that he climb
under the fence so that he can play with Shmuel. Knowingly, Shmuel tells Bruno that it would be a bad idea.
One day Shmuel appears in Bruno's home as a servant whose fingers are small enough to clear some crystal
glasses. He begs Bruno for some food which he provides but when a Lieutenant Koter catches Shmuel eating,
he accuses him of stealing the food. Bruno does not stand up for him and Shmuel is summarily beaten.
When the Führer (which Bruno hears as "the Fury"), Adolf Hitler, and his girlfriend, Eva Braun, come to
dinner, Bruno has no idea who they are aside from the fact that the man is his father's boss, and takes an
instant dislike to them. This scene speaks to the fact that children are excellent judges of character.
Bruno's mother faces the difficult task of supporting her husband and shielding her children from what he
does. When she learns that prisoners are being put to death upon his command, she demands that she move
back to Berlin with the children because Auschwitz is clearly not a good place to raise the children. Ironically,
whereas Bruno at one time was desperate to return to Berlin, he is reluctant to leave because of his friendship
with Shmuel. Bruno feels terrible about having to tell Shmuel that he is going to be leaving so he tries to make
it up to him by promising to help Shmuel locate his missing father. The two hatch a plan which has dire
consequences beyond anything they could imagine.
Bruno returns the next day with a shovel and Shmuel meets him at the fence with a spare set of pajamas.
Bruno digs enough of a hole that he can shimmy under the fence in the hopes of helping find Shmuel's father.
Initially, the two friends are thrilled that they are finally on the same side of the fence and each boy fights the
urge to hug the other.
Bruno takes in the scene on the other side of the fence: emaciated, shaven-headed figures looking sad, soldiers
shooting prisoners, and a distinct lack of fruit and vegetable stands and cafes as he had expected. Bruno says
to Shmuel, "I don't think I like it here," to which Shmuel responds, "Neither do I." Bruno decides that he
should go home but it is too late. The boys are herded into a line with hundreds of other prisoners, taken to a
room, forced to undress, and sent to their deaths in a gas chamber. Throughout the quick ordeal, Shmuel and
Bruno hold hands, clinging to one another and to their friendship until the very end.
Bruno's family searches for him for several days until a Nazi soldier finds a pile of his clothes near the hole in
the fence. Eventually, Bruno's mother returned to Berlin with Gretel and Bruno's father disappeared with a
group of fellow soldiers.
The story ends with the caveat, "of course all this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever
happen again. Not in this day and age." This is clearly a loaded statement that is intended to make readers
think about all of the instances of persecution in the years since the Holocaust. Readers are left to consider
how an act of kindness—or hatred—no matter how small can affect others.
Themes
Innocence is an important theme throughout 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 poignant
tone. This theme reinforces the idea that hatred and prejudice are learned behaviors.
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Another 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
mutual desire for companionship during a difficult and lonely time. In spite of their remarkably different
circumstances, Bruno and Shmuel forge a meaningful friendship. As their friendship develops, it is tested on
many occasions as the boys navigate 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 staunch believers in the Nazi propaganda while
Bruno remains compassionate and even, some might argue, resistant to the same ideas. Bruno and Shmuel
represent all that is kind and decent in humans as well as the potential that they have to do good. Conversely,
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 conformity and people's reluctance to take a stand in the face of adversity.
Characters
Bruno is the son of a Nazi commandant who is forced to leave his home in Berlin and move to Auschwitz
where his father has been reassigned. He is reluctant to leave Berlin where he has two good friends, is close to
his grandparents, and lives in a lovely home. Bruno is characterized by an endearing childhood innocence
which becomes especially poignant when he meets a young prisoner on the other side of a fence near his
house. Bruno remains strikingly unaffected by the war and unmoved by the Nazi beliefs and propaganda
which he confronts daily. This may well be due to his young age or the result of his character. In any case,
Bruno represents man's capacity for kindness and compassion.
Shmuel is a young Polish Jew who is a prisoner in Auschwitz. Bruno meets him at a fence while exploring
near his house. Shmuel is as innocent as Bruno and seems not to quite understand why he is a prisoner.
Shmuel reveals that his mother is a teacher who has speaks German (which she has taught him), French,
Italian and English (which she plans to teach him). Until he deportation, Shmuel lived in with his mother,
father and brother above his father's watchmaking shop. He tells Bruno about how he came home from school
one day to find his mother making armbands for the family which the Nazis forced them to wear. Bruno has a
hard time comprehending some of the stories Shmuel tells him because it seems so unimaginable to him.
Shmuel becomes worried once his father goes missing in the camp and asks for Bruno's help in finding him.
Bruno's willingness to help his friend results in both of them dying at the merciless hands of the Nazis.
Bruno and Shmuel seem to lead parallel yet mutually exclusive lives. They share common interests, the same
birthday, and a similar perspective on life. Their friendship is not just unlikely; it defies possibility. In a world
and a time where people were being told what to think, who to hate and what relationships were acceptable,
Bruno and Shmuel demonstrate how resistant and resilient children can be and how important kindness and
compassion are.
Gretel, Bruno's older sister, annoys him a great deal; he refers to her as a "Hopeless Case" who does nothing
but cause him grief. Gretel fancies herself far more mature and worldly than Bruno, despite her doll collection
which would seem to symbolize her naivete. Gretel is increasingly interested in the beliefs and activities of the
Nazi party and, after their move to Auschwitz, befriends one of the Nazi camp guards. In an effort to
demonstrate her devotion and dedication to the ideals of the Hitler Youth, Gretel gives up her doll collection
for Nazi propaganda posters and literature. Gretel may represent those in German society who were aware of
the horrors of the Holocaust but made a conscious choice to do nothing to help others.
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Bruno's mother tries desperately to shield her children from the horrors of the Holocaust which is taking place
virtually in their backyard. To some extent, she seems to turn a blind eye to what her husband does for a living
and to what is taking place in the camp. She becomes distraught when she learns that Auschwitz is not a
concentration camp but rather a death camp. She is furious when she finds out that her husband has been
ordering the slaughter of thousands of Jews in the gas chambers at Auschwitz. She concludes that Auschwitz
is no place to raise children and decides to move back to Berlin with the children.
Bruno's father (referred to simply as "Father" throughout the novel) is a Nazi commandant who seems to truly
revere Nazi ideology. When Bruno's grandparents learn of his father's promotion to Commandant, Bruno's
grandfather is extremely proud of his son's accomplishments while Bruno's grandmother is horrified at the
thought of what he will be doing. Once the family is settled in their new home, Father is thrilled to host Hitler
and his female companion, Eva, for dinner and is determined to make a positive impression. Despite Father's
professional inhumanity, he does try to shield his own family from the nefarious goings-on at Auschwitz.
Pavel is a Jewish servant who works in Bruno's home. Bruno believes that Pavel and the other people he sees
from his bedroom window are pajama-wearing farmers. Pavel had been a well-established doctor before his
internment and Bruno cannot understand why he gave up that career to be a farmer who peels potatoes for
Bruno's family. When Bruno falls from a tree swing in the garden Pavel uses his medical skills to care for
Bruno. One day, Pavel is beaten by Lieutenant Kotler and no longer comes to the family's home afterwards;
the family's maid, Maria must clean up the bloody mess.
Lieutenant Kotler is an arrogant Nazi guard with aspirations of greatness. He relishes any opportunity to abuse
and demean the prisoners who work in Bruno's house; not only does he seem to truly believe that he is
superior to them but he also seems to enjoy showing off for Gretel.
Herr Liszt is the tutor hired by Bruno's father who tries to instill him and Gretel with Nazi rhetoric. Gretel is a
willing student while Bruno seems skeptical and inquisitive; he is not quite as willing as Gretel to accept Herr
Liszt's version of history, in particular.
Each of the characters, though imbued with individual characteristics and personalities, represents a different
stereotype of someone who lived during the Holocaust. For example, Gretel symbolizes the members of the
Hitler Youth who blindly accepts the ideology and practiced modeled by the Nazi party. Lieutenant Kotler is
but one of countless ardent supporters of Hitler's policies and practices. Not only does he believe that the
Germans are superior to the Jews but he clearly enjoys any chance he gets to point this out whether it is by
making anti-Semitic comments or beating prisoners relentlessly. Bruno's mother is a bystander who likely
feels badly about what is happening to the victims but chooses to do and say nothing. This kind of feigned
ignorance is one of the reasons Hitler was able to continue his systematic extermination of millions for as long
as he did. Had all of the bystanders in Europe stood up against such persecution, it is possible that Hitler could
have been stopped.
Literary Criticism and Significance
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas continues a literary tradition of exploring the evils of the Holocaust through
the eyes of a child. In the same vein as Jerry Spinelli's Milkweed, this novel contrasts the dichotomy of man's
inhumanity to man with man's capacity to care and love.
Author John Boyne has said that he believes that the only way he could write about the Holocaust respectfully
was through the eyes of a child. He does so masterfully in this novel, demonstrating how Bruno and Shmuel
maintain the innocence of their childhood in spite of what is happening around them. Boyne acknowledges
that the only people who can truly comprehend the horrors of the Holocaust are those who lived through it.
Boyne's novel gives a voice to the victims, especially the millions of innocent children who perished at the
hands of the Nazis.
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What makes The Boy in the Striped Pajamas so effective is that rather than examining the big picture of the
Holocaust and its atrocities, the novel instead focuses on individual relationships and gives readers an intimate
portrait of two innocent boys seeking the same thing: friendship. Readers are cautioned, however, that even
though the novel is about two nine-year-old boys, the novel is most definitely not geared toward this age
group. The novel's devastating conclusion is not only beyond children's ability to comprehend but also in
defiance of their worldview.
Interestingly, Boyne classifies The Boy in the Striped Pajamas as a fable, a story that bears a moral lesson.
This is a fitting category for the novel as it imparts many lessons. Among these valuable lessons, perhaps the
most significant is the final sentence which suggests that "nothing like that could ever happen again. Not in
this day and age." It forces readers to confront the grim reality that hatred, discrimination, and intolerance
remain potent forces in the world. Readers consequently consider their own prejudices and actions, perhaps
wondering if they have been guilty of mistreating others. Additionally, some may even consider what their
role might have been in the Holocaust: bystander, resister, perpetrator, or victim.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas has received much acclaim. The novel won two prestigious awards in Boyne's
native Ireland: Children's Book of the Year and People's Choice Book of the Year. In addition, the book was
short-listed for numerous awards, including the Ottakar's Children's Book Prize, the British Book Award, the
Paolo Ungari Prize, and the Border's Original Voices Award. Additionally, the novel spent 80 weeks at
number one in Ireland and topped the New York Times best-seller list. The film adaptation, released by
Miramax in 2008, received many independent film awards and much critical praise.
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