Where are we in the story?
Bruno has just met Shmuel. Shmuel is the Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Bruno was exploring along the fence and found Shmuel. They are the same age with the same birthday. They are getting to know one another, and the last question in the chapter that Bruno asks is "Why are there so many people on that side of the fence, and what are you all doing there?"
Discussion:
-What are you feeling about the story so far?
-I touched a little about this in the last post, but in the back of the book there are group discussion questions. This particular question is perfectly put so I will just quote it.
"A pun is often seen as humorous. In this novel, the narrator uses dark, solemn puns like 'Out-with' and 'Fury' to convey certain meanings. Bruno is simply mispronouncing the real words, but the author is clearly asking the reader to consider a double meaning to these words. Discuss the use of these wordplay as a literary device. What is the narrator trying to convey to the reader? How do these pins further communicate the horror of the situation?"
-Do you think Bruno is living a sheltered life? In what ways.
I would love to hear all of your thoughts on the story so far so please!!! Comment!!!
1 comment:
The play in words also caught my attention. What is clever about the mispronounciation of "out-with" in reference to Auschwitz is that in conveys the feeling Hitler felt towards those that were transported to that place.
Obviously Bruno is curious about Shmuel and the place he lives in "the other side of fence" but once again Bruno's innocence is able to capture facts such as the Shmuel's dirtiness and malnutrition but does not for a moment consider Shmuel may be in danger or a bad situation.
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