the boy in the striped pyjamas essay

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The boy in striped the pyjamas essay

Discovery

is defined as uncovering something you were unaware of or oblivious to

previously. The novel ‘the boy in the striped pyjamas’ by Boyne, Is based on a

boy filled with naivety in WWII who encounters an untimely end due to a friend

behind a fence of hell. Discoveries can reveal the darkness behind the

seemingly kind souls. These ideas of discovery are explored through the

following themes pure evil, inequality and hidden truths. The purpose of the

text is to inform the children of the world of the tragedies that took place in

the war. This book is used to illuminate the naïve minds of younger

generations.

Boyne

explores the concept of pure evil; evil is defined as cruelty and incorporating

inhumane ways of life during everyday interactions. Boyne creates the

properties of pure evil through the character Lt Kotler. In the early stages of

the book, Bruno encounters Lt Kotler’s evil side which he encounters this

because of his desire to make a tyre swing. The lead up to the revealing of Lt

Kotler’s evil interactions is Bruno wanting to have a tyre which this is where

Lt Kotler makes a rude remark about Sargent hoffschnieder afterwards he calls

Pavel over in an uncourteous way, and then treats him cruelly for no apparent

reason. This is demonstrated through the following quote “come here you ___’ He

said the word again and something about the harsh sound of it made Bruno look

away and feel ashamed to be part of this at all” pg. 75 The atmosphere of this

quote is cold and shameful and makes you feel as if you are one of the main

offenders of the evil happenings. Throughout the novel I have come to an

understanding that pure evil lurks within the ashamed souls with hatred filled

hearts and that not everyone has good intentions.

As the novel

progresses, Bruno gains knowledge of inequality through the discovery of his

new found friend schmuel. In the later stages of the book, Bruno comes to find

his friend Schmuel in his kitchen instinctively he offers him food. Soon

afterwards Lt Kotler comes into the kitchen. After Lt Kotler beats schmuel this

is a horrid example of inequality, seeing as though it was just a thin slither

of chicken. This is shown through the quotation “Answer me!’ shouted Lt Kotler.

‘Did you steal something from that fridge?’ ‘No sir, he gave it to me.’ Said schmuel, with

tears welling up in his eyes.”Pg.171. This quotation creates an atmosphere of

inequality and unjustness, as well as the feeling of pain and misfortune.

Therefore I have learnt that unfortunately there are differences in the world

that therefore lead to inequalities.

Throughout the novel, Boyne portrays the discovery of

the hidden truths through Bruno’s interactions with Pavel. Bruno comes to find

the hidden truth due to a little mishap on the swing in the early stages of the

book. He comes across pavels past because of his incident. This is where pavel

admits to being a doctor, and learns that what you see at first is not necessarily

what is real. This is shown through the quote “If you are a doctor, then why

are you waiting tables? Why aren’t you at a hospital somewhere” pg.83 the

atmosphere of this quotation is curious and questioning. Through the novel I

have learnt that if you've judged one, by how they look your answers may be

wrong.

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