The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Literary Devices Chapters 6-10
Literary Device: Context Clues and Figurative Language Practice
The noise of a door slamming came from downstairs and reverberated through the house so loudly –
like a gunshot – that Bruno jumped and Maria let out a small scream.
1. Reread the passage above and determine the meaning of the bolded word.
a. to go back to a former state
b. to use abusive language
c. to re-echo
d. to free
2. What type of figurative language is employed in the passage?
a. hyperbole
b. idiom
c. simile
d. metaphor
3. What words form the figurative language?
a. noise of a door slamming came from downstairs
b. reverberated through the house so loudly – like a shotgun –
c. Bruno jumped and Maria let out a small scream
d. none of these
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Literary Element: Imagery
Remember that Imagery is language that creates a sensory impression within the reader’s mind. Read
back over the bottom of page 57 through the top of page 58 where Maria describes the garden at the
Berlin home. List the words and phrases that are examples of imagery. Tell to which sense each
example appeals.
Words and phrases that include imagery
Sense(s) appealed to
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Literary Elements: Dramatic Irony
Dramatic Irony, a device used more often in plays that in fiction, refers to a time when one character is
ignorant of something that the other characters and the reader understand. What examples of dramatic
irony can you find in Bruno’s encounter with Pavel?
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Literary Device: Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a comparison between two unlike objects is suggested or
implied. For example: “If you ask me [Bruno], we’re all in the same boat. And it’s leaking.”
1. What is being compared?
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2. What does Bruno mean when he makes this comparison?
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3
Literary Element: Characterization
Characters in literature are revealed by what they say and do and by what others say about them. In the
chart below, list important information you have learned about some of the characters in the book.
Continue to fill in the chart as you read. You may also add characters to the chart.
Character
Bruno
Physical Appearance
Personality Traits
Gretel
Bruno’s mother
Bruno’s father
Lieutenant Kotler
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Literary Device: Indirect Characterization
In Chapter 8, the reader is introduced to Bruno’s grandmother and grandfather. The author indirectly
reveals these characters’ personalities through what they say, how they look, their behavior and what
other characters say about them and how they act around them. Complete the following chart to
examine each character.
Grandmother
Her name: ________________________________________________________________
Her words tell you that she is:
Her looks tell you that she is:
Other characters tell you that she is:
Her behavior tells you that she is:
Grandfather
His name: ________________________________________________________________
His words tell you that he is:
His looks tell you that he is:
Other characters tell you that he is:
His behavior tells you that he is:
5
Literary Element: Flashback
1. What is the purpose of the flashback in Chapter 8?
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Literary Elements: Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a comparison between two unlike objects is suggested or
implied.
1. What is being compared in the following metaphor?
“I [Grandmother] was merely the blank wall to whom you [Grandfather] addressed your words.”
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2. What does this reveal about the relationship between Bruno’s grandparents?
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Literary Elements: Dramatic Irony
Dramatic Irony, a device used more often in plays that in fiction, refers to a time when one character is
ignorant of something that the other characters and the reader understand. What is ironic about Bruno
thinking it is unfair that Shmuel has many friends while he has none?
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6
Literary Device: Conflict
A conflict is a struggle between opposing forces. An external conflict is a character’s struggle against an
outside force, such as nature, society, or another person. An internal conflict is a personal struggle that
takes place within a character’s mind. In the chart below, list the conflicts that have occurred in the
story so far. Indicate how some of these problems have been resolved.
External Conflicts
Resolutions
Internal Conflicts
Resolutions
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