The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
John Boyne
Historical Fiction
50/216

Report

Bruno is a nine year old boy who at the beginning of the story is living in Berlin. Because his father is offered a great job, him and his family have to move. In Berlin, Bruno has a perfect life; three best friends, giant house, he loves his school, etc. He is the most resistant about the idea of moving. One day he comes home to find one of the maids, Maria, packing all his stuff into four large wooden crates. As much as him and even his twelve year old sister, whom which he basically never agreed with, didn't want to move they couldn't do anything about it and ended up moving. They got to their house and it was quite a bit smaller than their old house in Berlin. The one thing that Bruno liked about his new room was the window that he could sit by and look through; he was able to see everything going on outside. The first time he looked out there he had the impression that the people weren't very friendly and that it wasn't very busy. This was different because back in Berlin, he mentions that in the city it was so crowded but all the people were kind. One thing that was stuck in his mind and that he showed his older sister was the giant piece of land with a big fence surrounding it. He saw a line of old men being ordered by two men who seemed mean, they looked like they were being shouted at to keep moving along. He was also disturbed by the sight of boys around his age being pushed and shouted at to get in line. Those boys didn't look happy at all, in fact some of them were even crying. It seemed as though they were being threatened to walk in a straight line so they all quickly got into the position they were told to. Something that he found was peculiar is that they were all wearing grey striped pajamas and a grey striped cap on their head. 

Response 

I was wondering the whole time I was reading why it didn't mention where Bruno and his family had moved to from Berlin. In the last two chapters that I read this week I was quite shocked and moved by the things that Bruno had seen through his window. I feel as though something might happen to Bruno or a member of his family later in the book that isn't going to a positive thing. I am anxious to know what will happen later on and how his new life will go on. 

Passage Section 

"...wearing the same clothes as each other: a pair of grey striped pajamas with a grey striped cap on their heads" (Boyne 38). 

I chose this passage because to me it was strange that the people within the fence were all wearing grey striped pajamas and caps on their heads. I was wondering why they had to be dressed like that and am hoping to find out soon.