Book: The Boy In the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
There are many themes in the book, but one of them is friendship. Bruno and Shmuel are in two completely different worlds, but share a desire for friendship during the time they are living in. Both of them are living in a difficult and lonely time during the holocaust. Even though they have different circumstances they manage to develop a friendship. The boys both know that if anyone were to find out about their friendship, both of them would be in great trouble. This causes them to keep it a secret throughout the book so far.
Another theme in the book is human nature. While I was reading the book I was wondering why Bruno's family and so many other Germans can be believers in the Nazi, while Bruno is so compassionate. Both Bruno and Shmuel represent all of the good and kind people in the world. On the other hand the evil in the world are represented by the people like Bruno's father and Lieutenant Kotler. I noticed that in the book it points out the choice humans have to make regarding how they treat others. On the same note the book also considers people's hesitation to take a stand in the face of difficulties.
Another one of the many themes in the book is boundaries. The most obvious boundary in the story is the fence that separates Bruno and Shmuel. I think the author made Shmuel seem like a mirror character for Bruno. They were both born on the same day and Bruno even says they are like twins. The main difference between them is that Shmuel is Jewish and Bruno is German and is a member of the oppressing group. In a point of the book Bruno wears the same clothes as Shmuel does everyday. They seem to look very similar even though between the Jews and the Germans they are very different. Showing that even if people are different form others we are all human
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