Analysis of the chapters
CHAPTER 1 (Bruno makes a discovery):
My prediction for the rest of the novel: I predict 9 year old Bruno and his family will be taken from their home and will live next to a Concentration camp. He will then meet a boy on the other side of the Concentration Camp and together they will try to escape and manage to run away.
My prediction for the rest of the novel: I predict 9 year old Bruno and his family will be taken from their home and will live next to a Concentration camp. He will then meet a boy on the other side of the Concentration Camp and together they will try to escape and manage to run away.
CHAPTER 2 (The New House)
The main thing that stood out in this chapter, was the setting of the new house.
Another thing that was shocking was a quote that showed how unbalanced power was at that time, between not only males and females, but also between cultures and religion:
“We don’t have the luxury of thinking.”
I think this quote is very strong. With this sentence the Mother is showing that she had no choice in this sudden decision of moving. The Father obliged all the family to move, and did not leave any space for their own opinions. This shows how much difference of power there is between the Father and the Mother. This quote reflects also to the theme of obedience and conformity. This applies to Bruno’s family but also to the people who lived during the Holocaust. It shows what kind of power people were dealing with during that time. Nazi soldiers did not tolerate defiance. For example, if Jews failed to obey commands or did anything unpleasing as considered by the Nazi soldiers, it would result in severe punishment. Sometimes, the punishment would be bad enough to the point where one has to be killed. People had no choice but to do as they were told; there were no exceptions.
The main thing that stood out in this chapter, was the setting of the new house.
Another thing that was shocking was a quote that showed how unbalanced power was at that time, between not only males and females, but also between cultures and religion:
“We don’t have the luxury of thinking.”
I think this quote is very strong. With this sentence the Mother is showing that she had no choice in this sudden decision of moving. The Father obliged all the family to move, and did not leave any space for their own opinions. This shows how much difference of power there is between the Father and the Mother. This quote reflects also to the theme of obedience and conformity. This applies to Bruno’s family but also to the people who lived during the Holocaust. It shows what kind of power people were dealing with during that time. Nazi soldiers did not tolerate defiance. For example, if Jews failed to obey commands or did anything unpleasing as considered by the Nazi soldiers, it would result in severe punishment. Sometimes, the punishment would be bad enough to the point where one has to be killed. People had no choice but to do as they were told; there were no exceptions.
CHAPTER 3 (The Hopeless Case)
In this chapter we met an important character of the novel, Gretel. She is Bruno's sister who Bruno calls hopeless case.
Gretel and Bruno’s Relationship
“...'I know what you mean,' she said. 'It's not very nice, is it?'
'It's horrible,' said Bruno.”
The thing what stood out the most for me in this chapter is the relationship between Gretel and Bruno. I think that their behaviour is pretty normal as they are siblings. They obviously fight a lot, but they know that they love each other. This is a typical stereotypical sibling relationship. I think Gretel is quite advantaged by the fact that she is older than Bruno, because she feels more powerful and superior. This particular aspect reminds me a little bit about the relationship between Father and Maria. Other than that, I think that they are going to become much closer. In the beginning Bruno wishes that Gretel would have remained in Berlin, but now that they are there, I think that Bruno needs her support. Even though Bruno doesn’t want to admit it, Gretel is the closest person he can relate to, as she is more or less his age, and they both have left behind something that they love. Now they only have each other to talk to.
Gretel and Father’s Relationship
“...said Gretel, who always spoke of Father as if he could never do any wrong and never got angry...”
In this chapter you can see that Gretel really respects her Father. She thinks very highly about him and he is probably her idol. She listens to every thing he says and tries to accomplish anything he asks her to do. I think she respects him more than Bruno does. She maybe is more naive than Bruno in this case, because she does everything blindly without questioning her Father about anything. I think that this relationship is going to change. She is slowly going to learn more about her Father’s job and then she is going to respect him less. Maybe she might stand out to him.
Do they know what is happening?
“...Out with the people who lived here before us, I expect,' said Gretel. 'It must have to do with the fact that he didn't do a very good job and someone said out with him and let's get a man in who can do it right.' ”
What shocked me the most about this chapter was that Gretel didn’t know where they were, even being the older one. Bruno asks her about the place where they are living and he calls it “Out-With”. With this question it is evident that Bruno doesn’t know that they are at a concentration camp. Gretel then corrects him “It’s not an Out-With...It’s just Out-With”. I thought that Gretel would have known more or less where they were, but with this statement I understood that she had no idea. She also corrects him in the wrong way, and doesn’t point out the pronunciation. I feel that when Gretel finds out where they are she is going to change a lot. Her personality seems very rude and quite strong, so she might rebel against her Father.
In this chapter we met an important character of the novel, Gretel. She is Bruno's sister who Bruno calls hopeless case.
Gretel and Bruno’s Relationship
“...'I know what you mean,' she said. 'It's not very nice, is it?'
'It's horrible,' said Bruno.”
The thing what stood out the most for me in this chapter is the relationship between Gretel and Bruno. I think that their behaviour is pretty normal as they are siblings. They obviously fight a lot, but they know that they love each other. This is a typical stereotypical sibling relationship. I think Gretel is quite advantaged by the fact that she is older than Bruno, because she feels more powerful and superior. This particular aspect reminds me a little bit about the relationship between Father and Maria. Other than that, I think that they are going to become much closer. In the beginning Bruno wishes that Gretel would have remained in Berlin, but now that they are there, I think that Bruno needs her support. Even though Bruno doesn’t want to admit it, Gretel is the closest person he can relate to, as she is more or less his age, and they both have left behind something that they love. Now they only have each other to talk to.
Gretel and Father’s Relationship
“...said Gretel, who always spoke of Father as if he could never do any wrong and never got angry...”
In this chapter you can see that Gretel really respects her Father. She thinks very highly about him and he is probably her idol. She listens to every thing he says and tries to accomplish anything he asks her to do. I think she respects him more than Bruno does. She maybe is more naive than Bruno in this case, because she does everything blindly without questioning her Father about anything. I think that this relationship is going to change. She is slowly going to learn more about her Father’s job and then she is going to respect him less. Maybe she might stand out to him.
Do they know what is happening?
“...Out with the people who lived here before us, I expect,' said Gretel. 'It must have to do with the fact that he didn't do a very good job and someone said out with him and let's get a man in who can do it right.' ”
What shocked me the most about this chapter was that Gretel didn’t know where they were, even being the older one. Bruno asks her about the place where they are living and he calls it “Out-With”. With this question it is evident that Bruno doesn’t know that they are at a concentration camp. Gretel then corrects him “It’s not an Out-With...It’s just Out-With”. I thought that Gretel would have known more or less where they were, but with this statement I understood that she had no idea. She also corrects him in the wrong way, and doesn’t point out the pronunciation. I feel that when Gretel finds out where they are she is going to change a lot. Her personality seems very rude and quite strong, so she might rebel against her Father.
CHAPTER 4 (What they saw through the window)
Dramatic Irony is a literary element, which means that the reader knows something that the character doesn't. This can create suspense and tension, as we worry for the character's future.
Dramatic Irony
"a huge wire fence that ran along the length of the house and turned in at the top"
Dramatic Irony is the element that stands out the most in this chapter. The readers know a lot more than the characters do, and sometimes this is very sad. All throughout the chapter I wanted to literally enter the book and tell the siblings what was happening as they had no clue. This chapter really showed the innocence of these two characters. It also showed how distant the parents were from their kids, as they didn’t want to explain the situation to their kids. The children can't understand why the people are living in such conditions and why the people are behind this large barbed wire fence. The children do not consider this because they possess an element of innocence do not see the atrocities taking place in the 'camp'. Both Bruno and Gretel do not see the pain the Jews are experienced because they do not have a full understanding over the recent political events that Germany is facing currently. The juxtaposition shown from Bruno's family and the Jews in the concentration camp is seen in the description Bruno's house with the "flowers which grew in neat orderly sections in soil that looked as if it was tended very carefully" compared to "a huge wire fence that ran along the length of the house and turned in at the top". These quotes show the drastic differences in the two different lifestyles.
Dramatic Irony is a literary element, which means that the reader knows something that the character doesn't. This can create suspense and tension, as we worry for the character's future.
Dramatic Irony
"a huge wire fence that ran along the length of the house and turned in at the top"
Dramatic Irony is the element that stands out the most in this chapter. The readers know a lot more than the characters do, and sometimes this is very sad. All throughout the chapter I wanted to literally enter the book and tell the siblings what was happening as they had no clue. This chapter really showed the innocence of these two characters. It also showed how distant the parents were from their kids, as they didn’t want to explain the situation to their kids. The children can't understand why the people are living in such conditions and why the people are behind this large barbed wire fence. The children do not consider this because they possess an element of innocence do not see the atrocities taking place in the 'camp'. Both Bruno and Gretel do not see the pain the Jews are experienced because they do not have a full understanding over the recent political events that Germany is facing currently. The juxtaposition shown from Bruno's family and the Jews in the concentration camp is seen in the description Bruno's house with the "flowers which grew in neat orderly sections in soil that looked as if it was tended very carefully" compared to "a huge wire fence that ran along the length of the house and turned in at the top". These quotes show the drastic differences in the two different lifestyles.
CHAPTER 5 (Out of bounds at all times and no exceptions)
A character that was introduced properly in this novel, was Bruno's Father. Also in this chapter something that is obvious is Bruno's relationship with his Father.
Relationship between Bruno and his Father
“Those people…well, they’re not people at all, Bruno.”
The relationship between Bruno and his father is quite different than the norms. They have a very distant relationship, as Bruno has to be very formal with him and ask his permission before doing anything. In this chapter, I think that the father is softer with Bruno than usual, because he understands that this sudden change can be difficult for him. In fact he is more tolerant than usual, as Bruno is shocked when his Father doesn’t put an end to the conversation immediately. What I realized in this chapter is that the Father is a very powerful man and feels superior to everyone, maybe because he has a very important job. In fact he does not get his way with Bruno by screaming, instead he just communicates through his facial expressions and his short but decisive sentences. Also I think it is utterly unfair that the Father does not tell the children what is happening, because it is only their right to know the circumstances they are in. This makes me think of him as a coward, because he does not want to take the responsibility of telling his son the truth, as he might react in an aggressive way. Also I think he is a heartless man, one who is selfish and only cares about himself. "Those people… well, they’re not people at all Bruno.” This quote is coming from Bruno’s father. When Bruno asked him who the people on the other side of the fence were, this was his response. I chose this quote because this shows what the Jews meant to Bruno’s father. Bruno’s father (being one of Hitler’s soldiers) despised Jews. They were of no significance to Hitler and his men. They meant nothing to them.
A character that was introduced properly in this novel, was Bruno's Father. Also in this chapter something that is obvious is Bruno's relationship with his Father.
Relationship between Bruno and his Father
“Those people…well, they’re not people at all, Bruno.”
The relationship between Bruno and his father is quite different than the norms. They have a very distant relationship, as Bruno has to be very formal with him and ask his permission before doing anything. In this chapter, I think that the father is softer with Bruno than usual, because he understands that this sudden change can be difficult for him. In fact he is more tolerant than usual, as Bruno is shocked when his Father doesn’t put an end to the conversation immediately. What I realized in this chapter is that the Father is a very powerful man and feels superior to everyone, maybe because he has a very important job. In fact he does not get his way with Bruno by screaming, instead he just communicates through his facial expressions and his short but decisive sentences. Also I think it is utterly unfair that the Father does not tell the children what is happening, because it is only their right to know the circumstances they are in. This makes me think of him as a coward, because he does not want to take the responsibility of telling his son the truth, as he might react in an aggressive way. Also I think he is a heartless man, one who is selfish and only cares about himself. "Those people… well, they’re not people at all Bruno.” This quote is coming from Bruno’s father. When Bruno asked him who the people on the other side of the fence were, this was his response. I chose this quote because this shows what the Jews meant to Bruno’s father. Bruno’s father (being one of Hitler’s soldiers) despised Jews. They were of no significance to Hitler and his men. They meant nothing to them.
CHAPTER 6 (The overpaid maid)
The thing that stood out the most in this chapter was Bruno’s relationship with Maria. It was obvious that Maria was Bruno’s only friend. She is very sweet to him, even though she knows what her “place” is. She keeps her head down and doesn’t talk much, in case that Bruno’s father doesn’t agree with what she has to say. This chapter showed Bruno’s shift in his perspective and understanding of Maria. The radical shift in Bruno's perspective of Maria is developed by a main idea, him realizing that she is a human. The first of the two ideas is that Bruno realises that Maria is just like him, a person with feelings and thoughts. This makes Bruno be more sensitive to Maria and not treat her poorly just because she works for him and his family. He also realizes that she must miss the old house in Berlin as much as he did.
Gretel and Bruno’s attitude to Maria:
Bruno treats Maria very well in comparison to Gretel who treats her is a very negative way. Bruno thinks of Maria as a person and treats her accordingly with nice talk and being polite to her. This is because Bruno realises that she isn't just there maid and that she has feelings as well. Gretel however, treats her very poorly and talks to her rudely because she sees her as a petty maid that is her slave. She also is very rude to her and is rarely polite.
The thing that stood out the most in this chapter was Bruno’s relationship with Maria. It was obvious that Maria was Bruno’s only friend. She is very sweet to him, even though she knows what her “place” is. She keeps her head down and doesn’t talk much, in case that Bruno’s father doesn’t agree with what she has to say. This chapter showed Bruno’s shift in his perspective and understanding of Maria. The radical shift in Bruno's perspective of Maria is developed by a main idea, him realizing that she is a human. The first of the two ideas is that Bruno realises that Maria is just like him, a person with feelings and thoughts. This makes Bruno be more sensitive to Maria and not treat her poorly just because she works for him and his family. He also realizes that she must miss the old house in Berlin as much as he did.
Gretel and Bruno’s attitude to Maria:
Bruno treats Maria very well in comparison to Gretel who treats her is a very negative way. Bruno thinks of Maria as a person and treats her accordingly with nice talk and being polite to her. This is because Bruno realises that she isn't just there maid and that she has feelings as well. Gretel however, treats her very poorly and talks to her rudely because she sees her as a petty maid that is her slave. She also is very rude to her and is rarely polite.
CHAPTER 7 (How mother took credit for something she hadn't done)
In this chapter we learn much more about Lieutenant Kotler. He is a stereo-typical Nazi soldier, one who is both physically and mentally perfect as an example. He is muscular, tall and manly and mentally he represents the way that the Nazis treated the Jews, and everybody else that they considered inferior. Another thing that was obvious in this chapter is Gretel’s relationship with Kotler. Gretel is flirting with Kotler constantly, trying to act older than she is. Even though the soldier knows how old she truly is, he allows her to act the way she does. We also learn more about the cook of the place, Pavel. He was a former doctor, but his life got ripped apart when the Nazis took him away to the Concentration Camps, just because he was a Jew. Pavel is a symbol for all the other Jews that were tortured in the camps. The relationship between Kotler and Pavel is a terrible one, as Kotler feels superior to him no matter the difference of age.
Bruno’s relationship with Kotler:
I think bruno feels this way because first of all he isn't very comfortable with Kotler. One reason is he calls him young man and Bruno hates being referred as small or young. Also the fact that he isn't like the other soldiers makes Bruno feel a bit peculiar about Kotler. Lastly he scares Bruno a bit which is why Bruno felt a sudden breeze and wanted to put a jumper on, just like what everyone feels when they meet someone they don’t particularly like.
I think that it foreshadows that something will go wrong later on in the book. Maybe since the book is about war Bruno might see Kotler do something very dangerous. One reason i think this is because Kotler is a very strong powerful person. He is the assistant of the commander. Lastly this could foreshadow that Kotler might be hiding something.
In this chapter we learn much more about Lieutenant Kotler. He is a stereo-typical Nazi soldier, one who is both physically and mentally perfect as an example. He is muscular, tall and manly and mentally he represents the way that the Nazis treated the Jews, and everybody else that they considered inferior. Another thing that was obvious in this chapter is Gretel’s relationship with Kotler. Gretel is flirting with Kotler constantly, trying to act older than she is. Even though the soldier knows how old she truly is, he allows her to act the way she does. We also learn more about the cook of the place, Pavel. He was a former doctor, but his life got ripped apart when the Nazis took him away to the Concentration Camps, just because he was a Jew. Pavel is a symbol for all the other Jews that were tortured in the camps. The relationship between Kotler and Pavel is a terrible one, as Kotler feels superior to him no matter the difference of age.
Bruno’s relationship with Kotler:
I think bruno feels this way because first of all he isn't very comfortable with Kotler. One reason is he calls him young man and Bruno hates being referred as small or young. Also the fact that he isn't like the other soldiers makes Bruno feel a bit peculiar about Kotler. Lastly he scares Bruno a bit which is why Bruno felt a sudden breeze and wanted to put a jumper on, just like what everyone feels when they meet someone they don’t particularly like.
I think that it foreshadows that something will go wrong later on in the book. Maybe since the book is about war Bruno might see Kotler do something very dangerous. One reason i think this is because Kotler is a very strong powerful person. He is the assistant of the commander. Lastly this could foreshadow that Kotler might be hiding something.
CHAPTER 8 (Why Grandmother stormed out)
Nearly this whole chapter is a flashback. It takes us back to the past, and talks about Bruno’s grandparents. The flashback in chapter 8 describes a Christmas play that Bruno’s grandmother had Bruno and Gretel perform. Bruno thinks of the play because he is missing his grandmother and grandfather. His memory demonstrates how unhappy he is, and how thinking back to happier times does not comfort him because he remembers when things started going downhill. The author includes this flashback to show how politics can destroy families. We realize that Ralph’s own mother disagrees with his choice of lifestyle, the way he so cruelly can kill people just because of a small difference. Bruno’s grandmother is a strong, confident lady, someone who is not afraid to express her ideas. She also represents the part of Germany that was against the discrimination against Jewish people. In Nazi Germany, not every German gladly followed Hitler. There were many people who disagreed with his policies and how the country was being run. Sometimes this could cause a rift in a previously happy family. World War II and Nazism tore Germany apart.
Relationships:
Mother/Father- They seem to be at a sort of crossroads that is keeping Bruno’s mother from speaking directly on how she feels to her husband. This is showed through Bruno’s mother muttering under her breath or saving Pavel from being in trouble.
Grandmother/Father- The relationship between the mother and father is quite heated and two sided. Where the grandmother is ashamed of her son, Father feels proud to be a soldier at his rank. This shows at the argument after supper before the play where grandmother expresses her disgust towards her son.
Grandmother/Mother- They disagree on Father’s choice for being with the Nazi’s. While Mother approves of his status, Grandmother hates it and thinks her son is a monster since he is with the Nazi.
Grandmother/Grandfather- This couple seems to be a lot like Mother and Father. They also show the idea of contrast. Where grandfather is proud, grandmother is disgusted, showing the difference between their point of view.
Grandmother/Bruno- They are close like any other grandparent and grandchild. Bruno misses grandmother and likes spending time with her.
Nearly this whole chapter is a flashback. It takes us back to the past, and talks about Bruno’s grandparents. The flashback in chapter 8 describes a Christmas play that Bruno’s grandmother had Bruno and Gretel perform. Bruno thinks of the play because he is missing his grandmother and grandfather. His memory demonstrates how unhappy he is, and how thinking back to happier times does not comfort him because he remembers when things started going downhill. The author includes this flashback to show how politics can destroy families. We realize that Ralph’s own mother disagrees with his choice of lifestyle, the way he so cruelly can kill people just because of a small difference. Bruno’s grandmother is a strong, confident lady, someone who is not afraid to express her ideas. She also represents the part of Germany that was against the discrimination against Jewish people. In Nazi Germany, not every German gladly followed Hitler. There were many people who disagreed with his policies and how the country was being run. Sometimes this could cause a rift in a previously happy family. World War II and Nazism tore Germany apart.
Relationships:
Mother/Father- They seem to be at a sort of crossroads that is keeping Bruno’s mother from speaking directly on how she feels to her husband. This is showed through Bruno’s mother muttering under her breath or saving Pavel from being in trouble.
Grandmother/Father- The relationship between the mother and father is quite heated and two sided. Where the grandmother is ashamed of her son, Father feels proud to be a soldier at his rank. This shows at the argument after supper before the play where grandmother expresses her disgust towards her son.
Grandmother/Mother- They disagree on Father’s choice for being with the Nazi’s. While Mother approves of his status, Grandmother hates it and thinks her son is a monster since he is with the Nazi.
Grandmother/Grandfather- This couple seems to be a lot like Mother and Father. They also show the idea of contrast. Where grandfather is proud, grandmother is disgusted, showing the difference between their point of view.
Grandmother/Bruno- They are close like any other grandparent and grandchild. Bruno misses grandmother and likes spending time with her.
CHAPTER 9 (Bruno remembers that he used to enjoy exploring)
In Chapter 9 you can tell that Bruno's opinion on Out-With has changed. He has begun to grow accustomed to life in the house away from Berlin, and has used different methods of distraction to forget about his homesickness. He knows that things aren't going to change. He looks for things to do such as exploration to keep himself busy, and finds that instead of sitting around, he’s going to go down the trail that is Out of Bounds and With No Exceptions. Back at his old home he would play with his friends but now he lives in Out-With so he plays and talks to Gretel more because she is the only kid around. Now he is used to looking at the bench with the plaque on it, looking at the people in the striped pajamas, and the bedroom window didn’t look so high anymore.
In Chapter 9 you can tell that Bruno's opinion on Out-With has changed. He has begun to grow accustomed to life in the house away from Berlin, and has used different methods of distraction to forget about his homesickness. He knows that things aren't going to change. He looks for things to do such as exploration to keep himself busy, and finds that instead of sitting around, he’s going to go down the trail that is Out of Bounds and With No Exceptions. Back at his old home he would play with his friends but now he lives in Out-With so he plays and talks to Gretel more because she is the only kid around. Now he is used to looking at the bench with the plaque on it, looking at the people in the striped pajamas, and the bedroom window didn’t look so high anymore.
Chapter 10 (The dot that becomes a speck that becomes a blob that becomes a figure that becomes a boy)
My first impression of Shmuel was that he is a very sad and lonely person. When Bruno first saw Shmuel he was looking down into the dirt in total solitude and Bruno even states that he ‘had never seen a skinnier or sadder boy in his life.’ Shmuel “wore the same striped pyjamas that all the other people on that side of the fence wore, and a striped clothed cap on his head”. This tells the reader that he is not seen as an individual at the concentration camp, but as part of a group with no personal identity as he is identical to everyone else. You can also tell that he is a very ill, the quote ‘his skin was almost the colour of grey’ tells us that he receives little food from the camp explaining his needs for food later on in the book and that he may have been kept in dark, crowded areas. Grey is also known to be associated with sadness or depression adding to his negative appearance.
My first impression of Shmuel was that he is a very sad and lonely person. When Bruno first saw Shmuel he was looking down into the dirt in total solitude and Bruno even states that he ‘had never seen a skinnier or sadder boy in his life.’ Shmuel “wore the same striped pyjamas that all the other people on that side of the fence wore, and a striped clothed cap on his head”. This tells the reader that he is not seen as an individual at the concentration camp, but as part of a group with no personal identity as he is identical to everyone else. You can also tell that he is a very ill, the quote ‘his skin was almost the colour of grey’ tells us that he receives little food from the camp explaining his needs for food later on in the book and that he may have been kept in dark, crowded areas. Grey is also known to be associated with sadness or depression adding to his negative appearance.
CHAPTER 11 (The Fury)
This chapter is a flashback and tells the story of when Hitler came to Bruno's house for dinner. This chapter made me want to know more about Hitler so I decided to do some research.
Adolf Hitler was the leader of Germany in World War II. As Furher, guide of the nation, he held the German empire under his dictatorship from 1933 to 1945. He was a merciless leader who fought his enemies fiercely. His main opponents were France, Britain, America and Russia. Hitler is considered one of the most evil men in history as he was responsible for the Holocaust; extermination of the Jews by the German empire. He believed in an ancient Germanic tribal prophecy, which states: One day a leader would rise amongst the white men and conquer the world to establish a kingdom which will rule for a thousand years. This kingdom was called the Third Reich and it was the official name of Hitler’s government.
This chapter is a flashback and tells the story of when Hitler came to Bruno's house for dinner. This chapter made me want to know more about Hitler so I decided to do some research.
Adolf Hitler was the leader of Germany in World War II. As Furher, guide of the nation, he held the German empire under his dictatorship from 1933 to 1945. He was a merciless leader who fought his enemies fiercely. His main opponents were France, Britain, America and Russia. Hitler is considered one of the most evil men in history as he was responsible for the Holocaust; extermination of the Jews by the German empire. He believed in an ancient Germanic tribal prophecy, which states: One day a leader would rise amongst the white men and conquer the world to establish a kingdom which will rule for a thousand years. This kingdom was called the Third Reich and it was the official name of Hitler’s government.
CHAPTER 12 (Shmuel thinks of an answer to Bruno's question)
This chapter mainly talks about Shmuel's background story. This was a very touching chapter, and it inspired me to write a poem about him.
My poem:
The sun shone brightly on his cheeks,
gaunt from hunger and pain.
His eyes were dark, his ribs did show,
his soul clung to his frame.
This boy held all in his sweet eyes,
a tale of loss and hope.
A love for mother he now missed,
her body interned down the slope.
Hitler's men moved in one day,
and took him from his home.
They helped him up onto the train,
if only he'd have known.
When the train stopped on it's tracks,
he was ushered right inside;
a place no man could penetrate,
a place no child could hide.
They starved him until he was weak.
His pride they took away.
His father was with him for months,
Until his shower day...
On his bunk that night he shivered,
from the aching cold, alone.
He begged of God to simply find him
and take him home.
This chapter mainly talks about Shmuel's background story. This was a very touching chapter, and it inspired me to write a poem about him.
My poem:
The sun shone brightly on his cheeks,
gaunt from hunger and pain.
His eyes were dark, his ribs did show,
his soul clung to his frame.
This boy held all in his sweet eyes,
a tale of loss and hope.
A love for mother he now missed,
her body interned down the slope.
Hitler's men moved in one day,
and took him from his home.
They helped him up onto the train,
if only he'd have known.
When the train stopped on it's tracks,
he was ushered right inside;
a place no man could penetrate,
a place no child could hide.
They starved him until he was weak.
His pride they took away.
His father was with him for months,
Until his shower day...
On his bunk that night he shivered,
from the aching cold, alone.
He begged of God to simply find him
and take him home.
CHAPTER 13- (The bottle of wine)
This chapter is an important one. This chapter features a family dinner, and Lieutenant Kotler is also present. While the family is deep in conversation, Kotler lets some information about his father slip. The Father sees this as an incredible opportunity to find out something dirty about Kotler’s life, as he suspects something fishy going on between him and his wife. After many pressuring questions, the family understands that Kotler’s father disagreed with the Nazi system and decided to go to Switzerland, which was a neutral country. In this chapter Kotler’s anger starts building up and when Pavel makes a mistake by dropping a bottle of wine, he lets out all his anger on him and does things that are absolutely indescribable.
Prediction: I don’t think that Kotler is going to be in the house anymore, as he will have to move away to a less important camp or maybe might lose his job.
Switzerland
My Question:
Why didn't Hitler invade Switzerland during WWII? I mean, Switzerland does border Germany and he took everything else touching German soil.
My Answer: Germany did not invade or confront Switzerland before and during World War II because of the tremendously influence Swiss banks had on the German War Machine, and also because Hitler knew that the Swiss Army could seriously challenge the German Army. Although Switzerland is a neutral nation, they had (and still have) one of the best armies in the world. If Germany would have invaded, the German War Machine would have came to a grinding halt fighting the well-trained Swiss in the Alps. Another point worth adding is that all Swiss citizens are required to serve in the military at some point. If Germany would have attacked, the entire population would have been called into active duty. One last interesting point is that Switzerland served as the only escape for some high-ranking officials of the Third Reich towards the end of the war as the Allied forces started to surround Germany. Many were able to flee to Switzerland in order to avoid the brutal Russians coming from the East. Many Nazis who were able to flee to Switzerland were able to avoid prosecution, and for some even death, after the war.
This chapter is an important one. This chapter features a family dinner, and Lieutenant Kotler is also present. While the family is deep in conversation, Kotler lets some information about his father slip. The Father sees this as an incredible opportunity to find out something dirty about Kotler’s life, as he suspects something fishy going on between him and his wife. After many pressuring questions, the family understands that Kotler’s father disagreed with the Nazi system and decided to go to Switzerland, which was a neutral country. In this chapter Kotler’s anger starts building up and when Pavel makes a mistake by dropping a bottle of wine, he lets out all his anger on him and does things that are absolutely indescribable.
Prediction: I don’t think that Kotler is going to be in the house anymore, as he will have to move away to a less important camp or maybe might lose his job.
Switzerland
My Question:
Why didn't Hitler invade Switzerland during WWII? I mean, Switzerland does border Germany and he took everything else touching German soil.
My Answer: Germany did not invade or confront Switzerland before and during World War II because of the tremendously influence Swiss banks had on the German War Machine, and also because Hitler knew that the Swiss Army could seriously challenge the German Army. Although Switzerland is a neutral nation, they had (and still have) one of the best armies in the world. If Germany would have invaded, the German War Machine would have came to a grinding halt fighting the well-trained Swiss in the Alps. Another point worth adding is that all Swiss citizens are required to serve in the military at some point. If Germany would have attacked, the entire population would have been called into active duty. One last interesting point is that Switzerland served as the only escape for some high-ranking officials of the Third Reich towards the end of the war as the Allied forces started to surround Germany. Many were able to flee to Switzerland in order to avoid the brutal Russians coming from the East. Many Nazis who were able to flee to Switzerland were able to avoid prosecution, and for some even death, after the war.
CHAPTER 14 (Bruno tells a perfectly reasonable lie)
I realized in this chapter, that although Bruno is very naive most of the times, he is also a smart and quick boy. He was tempted to tell his sister about Shmuel, but knew if he did it could be dangerous for their relationship. One day he accidentally let it slip that he had a friend, and when Gretel pestered him about it, he finally told her that he was just an imaginary friend. I think it was really intelligent how Bruno could have thought of something like that so quickly, which made me realize that maybe he was quite smart for his age. This was a bit of a contradiction for me, because throughout the whole book, Bruno had never really understood what was happening, and didn’t realize if he was being rude or boastful. For example earlier in the chapter he asked Shmuel “don’t you ever wake up in the morning and feel like wearing something different? There must be something else in your wardrobe.” I think maybe it is Shmuel’s influence on Bruno that is making him act smarter and think before he speaks.
Prediction: In the beginning of the chapter it was evident that Bruno wanted to not only talk to Shmuel, but also play with him. Maybe Bruno will find a way to do so.
I realized in this chapter, that although Bruno is very naive most of the times, he is also a smart and quick boy. He was tempted to tell his sister about Shmuel, but knew if he did it could be dangerous for their relationship. One day he accidentally let it slip that he had a friend, and when Gretel pestered him about it, he finally told her that he was just an imaginary friend. I think it was really intelligent how Bruno could have thought of something like that so quickly, which made me realize that maybe he was quite smart for his age. This was a bit of a contradiction for me, because throughout the whole book, Bruno had never really understood what was happening, and didn’t realize if he was being rude or boastful. For example earlier in the chapter he asked Shmuel “don’t you ever wake up in the morning and feel like wearing something different? There must be something else in your wardrobe.” I think maybe it is Shmuel’s influence on Bruno that is making him act smarter and think before he speaks.
Prediction: In the beginning of the chapter it was evident that Bruno wanted to not only talk to Shmuel, but also play with him. Maybe Bruno will find a way to do so.
CHAPTER 15 (Something he shouldn’t have done)
This is probably one of the most important chapters in the book, and it portrays an important idea: betrayal. In this chapter Shmuel and Bruno meet without having a fence to separate them. Shmuel is taken from the camps to Bruno’s house, so that his thin fingers can clean the glasses. Something that struck me, was the fact that Bruno had the same size of fingers and could have done the job but the family probably thought it was “degrading” and that only a Jew could have done it. When the two boys meet, Bruno offers some food to Shmuel, and after a lot of hesitation, he agrees to take it. That’s when Kotler walks in and sees that Shmuel is eating. He aggressively asks him if he was eating and Shmuel tells him that Bruno had given him the food. Kotler asks Bruno if this is true, and Shmuel says it’s not and that he had never met Shmuel. I think that this was a very cowardly move, and that he was disloyal and betrayed Shmuel.
My opinion: Honestly I wouldn’t have had the courage to say that I had known Shmuel. The first reason is that Kotler would have gotten very angry and told Father. The second reason is that they might stop me from meeting Shmuel, my only friend.
Prediction: I think Shmuel is going to be angry with Bruno and not talk to him, which is something perfectly reasonable.
This is probably one of the most important chapters in the book, and it portrays an important idea: betrayal. In this chapter Shmuel and Bruno meet without having a fence to separate them. Shmuel is taken from the camps to Bruno’s house, so that his thin fingers can clean the glasses. Something that struck me, was the fact that Bruno had the same size of fingers and could have done the job but the family probably thought it was “degrading” and that only a Jew could have done it. When the two boys meet, Bruno offers some food to Shmuel, and after a lot of hesitation, he agrees to take it. That’s when Kotler walks in and sees that Shmuel is eating. He aggressively asks him if he was eating and Shmuel tells him that Bruno had given him the food. Kotler asks Bruno if this is true, and Shmuel says it’s not and that he had never met Shmuel. I think that this was a very cowardly move, and that he was disloyal and betrayed Shmuel.
My opinion: Honestly I wouldn’t have had the courage to say that I had known Shmuel. The first reason is that Kotler would have gotten very angry and told Father. The second reason is that they might stop me from meeting Shmuel, my only friend.
Prediction: I think Shmuel is going to be angry with Bruno and not talk to him, which is something perfectly reasonable.
CHAPTER 16 (The haircut)
In this Chapter, Grandmother passes away, which leads the family to go to Berlin for 2 days. I think it was very sad that Father and Grandmother didn’t have an occasion to make peace. This was an occasion for Bruno to go back to Berlin and realize that he was starting to prefer Poland to Berlin. Also, this was a chapter in which you could see the writer’s opinion of the war. Gretel tries to explain to Bruno why the Nazis and the Jews don’t get along, but there wasn’t really an explication. It was just something that had to be respected, without even having a real reason. You can see that John Boyne wanted to make the readers understand that there really wasn’t a purpose behind the War and the Holocaust. At the end of the chapter, Gretel and Bruno realize they have lice, and Bruno has to shave his head, making him look more like Shmuel.
Prediction: I think Bruno will ask someone again why they are not allowed to talk to Jews, and why they are considered inferior. This might get him in trouble.
The Fence
My question: What Does The Fence Represent? How Is Important To The Novel?
My answer: It represents the imaginary barrier between the two different worlds that the two boys belonged too. It was the crossing point from a life of privilege to a life of torment and confinement. It represented the irony in the fact that a simple object such as a fence could separate 2 completely different lives. The fence could also represent something that brought hope towards the future. The boys were able to be themselves around it, even with their differences. It guided them towards friendship even though they were raised to be enemies.
In this Chapter, Grandmother passes away, which leads the family to go to Berlin for 2 days. I think it was very sad that Father and Grandmother didn’t have an occasion to make peace. This was an occasion for Bruno to go back to Berlin and realize that he was starting to prefer Poland to Berlin. Also, this was a chapter in which you could see the writer’s opinion of the war. Gretel tries to explain to Bruno why the Nazis and the Jews don’t get along, but there wasn’t really an explication. It was just something that had to be respected, without even having a real reason. You can see that John Boyne wanted to make the readers understand that there really wasn’t a purpose behind the War and the Holocaust. At the end of the chapter, Gretel and Bruno realize they have lice, and Bruno has to shave his head, making him look more like Shmuel.
Prediction: I think Bruno will ask someone again why they are not allowed to talk to Jews, and why they are considered inferior. This might get him in trouble.
The Fence
My question: What Does The Fence Represent? How Is Important To The Novel?
My answer: It represents the imaginary barrier between the two different worlds that the two boys belonged too. It was the crossing point from a life of privilege to a life of torment and confinement. It represented the irony in the fact that a simple object such as a fence could separate 2 completely different lives. The fence could also represent something that brought hope towards the future. The boys were able to be themselves around it, even with their differences. It guided them towards friendship even though they were raised to be enemies.
CHAPTER 17 (Mother gets her own way)
In this chapter you can see how unhappy Mother truly is to remain in Poland, because she thinks it’s unsafe, and also doesn’t have any friends. The only person who she looked forward to meeting was Kotler, who was sent away (because of the revelation about his Father). Mother fights with her husband, and finally gets her own way. She convinces him that the family needs to move back, with or without him. Father agrees, and has a talk with Bruno and Gretel. In the end the decision is to move back without the Father.
Prediction: The book is going to end soon, and Bruno is going to move away, leaving Shmuel alone.
In this chapter you can see how unhappy Mother truly is to remain in Poland, because she thinks it’s unsafe, and also doesn’t have any friends. The only person who she looked forward to meeting was Kotler, who was sent away (because of the revelation about his Father). Mother fights with her husband, and finally gets her own way. She convinces him that the family needs to move back, with or without him. Father agrees, and has a talk with Bruno and Gretel. In the end the decision is to move back without the Father.
Prediction: The book is going to end soon, and Bruno is going to move away, leaving Shmuel alone.
CHAPTER 18 (Thinking up the final adventure)
In this chapter Bruno had gone to visit Shmuel but he didn’t arrive for 2 days. On the third day Shmuel came but was late. Shmuel has lost his Papa and is very worried. This time, Shmuel’s innocence is very visible, as he doesn’t realize that his Father is dead. I felt very bad for him, as the only support in his life was now gone. Bruno tells Shmuel that he has to leave, and then they decide to have a final adventure together. They lift a part of the fence, and realize that a little boy could fit through. They decided that Shmuel would bring the uniform, and Bruno would come on the other side and help him find his Papa.
Prediction: Initially I knew that it was impossible for this to really happen, because not only would they get electrocuted, but also there wouldn’t be a part of the camp that is not monitored. As it’s just a work of fiction though, it is possible that they can get away with it. I think though that they will get caught and Bruno will be taken back home, and the Soldiers might kill Shmuel.
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic Irony is a literary device used by the author. It means that the reader knows something that the characters don’t, and usually this creates tension. This novel is filled with dramatic irony, because Boyne shows us the world during the Holocaust, from a nine year old boy. It creates tension because we know that Shmuel and Bruno’s plan can get them into a lot of trouble and we get worried for the characters. Also we know that they are never really going to find Shmuel’s Father because he has died.
In this chapter Bruno had gone to visit Shmuel but he didn’t arrive for 2 days. On the third day Shmuel came but was late. Shmuel has lost his Papa and is very worried. This time, Shmuel’s innocence is very visible, as he doesn’t realize that his Father is dead. I felt very bad for him, as the only support in his life was now gone. Bruno tells Shmuel that he has to leave, and then they decide to have a final adventure together. They lift a part of the fence, and realize that a little boy could fit through. They decided that Shmuel would bring the uniform, and Bruno would come on the other side and help him find his Papa.
Prediction: Initially I knew that it was impossible for this to really happen, because not only would they get electrocuted, but also there wouldn’t be a part of the camp that is not monitored. As it’s just a work of fiction though, it is possible that they can get away with it. I think though that they will get caught and Bruno will be taken back home, and the Soldiers might kill Shmuel.
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic Irony is a literary device used by the author. It means that the reader knows something that the characters don’t, and usually this creates tension. This novel is filled with dramatic irony, because Boyne shows us the world during the Holocaust, from a nine year old boy. It creates tension because we know that Shmuel and Bruno’s plan can get them into a lot of trouble and we get worried for the characters. Also we know that they are never really going to find Shmuel’s Father because he has died.
CHAPTER 19 (What happened the next day)
This chapter is the most important of the novel, and it is the saddest. When I read this chapter, my heart literally sunk. I definitely had not expected this to happen. In this chapter Bruno manages to go on the other side of the fence, and with Shmuel, he starts looking for Papa. Bruno finally understands the terrible state that all these Jews lived in. Bruno starts getting scared and wants to leave. Before Bruno is about to go, a whistle is blown, and the two boys are pushed forward in the middle of the crowd. They are taken to the gas chambers, which Bruno thinks is a way to stay away from the rain. Before entering the room, Bruno realizes he might never get out, and holds Shmuel’s hand, calling him his best friend. I think that this is exactly the perfect description of a plot twist.
My opinion: Even though the ending was heart breaking, I think it truly portrayed the way the World was during the Holocaust. It showed that people were killed brutally for no reason.
This chapter is the most important of the novel, and it is the saddest. When I read this chapter, my heart literally sunk. I definitely had not expected this to happen. In this chapter Bruno manages to go on the other side of the fence, and with Shmuel, he starts looking for Papa. Bruno finally understands the terrible state that all these Jews lived in. Bruno starts getting scared and wants to leave. Before Bruno is about to go, a whistle is blown, and the two boys are pushed forward in the middle of the crowd. They are taken to the gas chambers, which Bruno thinks is a way to stay away from the rain. Before entering the room, Bruno realizes he might never get out, and holds Shmuel’s hand, calling him his best friend. I think that this is exactly the perfect description of a plot twist.
My opinion: Even though the ending was heart breaking, I think it truly portrayed the way the World was during the Holocaust. It showed that people were killed brutally for no reason.
CHAPTER 20 (The last chapter)
This is the last chapter of the book, and it shows us briefly what happens to the rest of the family. Mother and Gretel move back to Berlin, leaving the Father alone. I think Father was the one who was most devastated about Bruno’s death, because after realizing what happened, he felt responsible and guilty for his son’s death. I felt that Bruno’s death taught the Father a lesson. The Father was terribly affected by his own son’s death, and realized that that is the way that people react to the loss of a loved one.
Also the last paragraph hit me a lot. John Boyne says that “all this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever happen again. Not in this day and age.” This phrase is ironic, because the author means that it is possible that it may happen again because history repeats. In fact I think with this last sentence the author wanted everyone to realize that this novel is also a way to make everyone realize the atrocity of the Holocaust, and make sure that it doesn’t happen again. This shows me that Boyne has a clear opinion of the war, but he doesn’t want anything to seem unbiased, so he decided to show the world from the eyes of a child.
This is the last chapter of the book, and it shows us briefly what happens to the rest of the family. Mother and Gretel move back to Berlin, leaving the Father alone. I think Father was the one who was most devastated about Bruno’s death, because after realizing what happened, he felt responsible and guilty for his son’s death. I felt that Bruno’s death taught the Father a lesson. The Father was terribly affected by his own son’s death, and realized that that is the way that people react to the loss of a loved one.
Also the last paragraph hit me a lot. John Boyne says that “all this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever happen again. Not in this day and age.” This phrase is ironic, because the author means that it is possible that it may happen again because history repeats. In fact I think with this last sentence the author wanted everyone to realize that this novel is also a way to make everyone realize the atrocity of the Holocaust, and make sure that it doesn’t happen again. This shows me that Boyne has a clear opinion of the war, but he doesn’t want anything to seem unbiased, so he decided to show the world from the eyes of a child.
CHAPTER 21 (What happened to Bruno's family)
Father's diary of regret:
What have I done? I rejected my family for my work, and now look where it has gotten us: Elsa and I lost our Son; our daughter lost a Brother... I should have just been sent to the front line, at least then Bruno would still have been safe. Even if I had died, my family would still have been intact. They would have got by without me. The words keep going over and over in my head, 'you caused the death of your Son.' If I hadn't been so keen to be promoted, we wouldn't have had to move away. We could have stayed at home. Bruno wouldn't have seen the 'farm' and been so keen to try it out; he would have had his old friends. I should have listened to my Mother. And look, she too has been taken from me. Again, it is my fault.
I need to be rid of this emotional pain. It's becoming too much. All the regret, the despair. The hatred in my wife and daughter's eyes as they look at me.
What would have happened if Kotler had stayed? Would he have noticed Bruno frequently escaping through the window at the back? Again, I acted without thinking; getting rid of him. But then, if I hadn't been so wrapped up in the work, I would have been able to notice my own son's disappearance. How long must it have taken him to dig that hole? All the while I was sitting in an office, doing Hitler's dirty work, whilst Bruno was taking food to the friend he had made.
Oh, scrap that thought; having Kotler back would have been a waste of time. He didn't even bother to tell me that the Jewish boy had claimed to be friends with my Son. We could have sent the Jew elsewhere. That would have been easy. We wouldn't have had to do anything more. And then, if Elsa hadn't been so hasty to move back home, Bruno wouldn't have rushed ahead and gone to the other side of the fence. If only. But no, I can't blame her. The fault lies with me. All of it.
And here is where I sign off, for I am going to my trial.
Gretel’s thoughts 60 years later:
It's been over 60 years and still think about my brother Bruno from time to time. In a way, I'm still looking for him. Sometimes I see a little boy that looks like him or a man about his age that looks like it could be him and I feel the urge to confront them. To ask them if they are Bruno, in the vague possibility that they might just say 'yes' but I am confronted with the brutal reality, that he is likely to be gone forever.
If my brother had just died and we knew, things might be different. I might have been able to grieve his loss and move on faster but simply disappearing has left things so open ended. Had he been murdered, died accidentally or kidnapped? Who would have done away with him and why? Or is there a possibility that he might be still alive? These questions will never be answered, maybe upon death but I'm not sure if I believe in any kind of afterlife.
It hurts to remember back when I moved with our father at his new workplace. Not because of its boredom but its ignorance. I don't think I can live with the fact that I was so blind to what was going on, but how could I have known? Young teenage girls do not assume that their fathers are mass murderers. People were treated so cruelly at the back of the place that I lived.
How many people died horrifically at the back of the house? The only reason was that they were Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals, Polish and Soviet civilians, prisoners of war and other groups that disagreed or did not in fit with the Aryan ideal. They estimate that over 11 million people died in the camps, six million of which were Jews. A great deal of them would have died in the camp overseen by my father.
I still think about my father too. I was left in a permanent state of shock when I found out what he had done. It's haunted me all my life as a shameful ghost. He was a kind father who loved us dearly and did not seem like the type. Was he so eager to advance in the SS that he forgot what was really important? Maybe he was so caught up in the propaganda that he was swept far away from reality. I find it hard to believe that a man like my father could see people in their pain and suffering and deny that they were human. Maybe it helped him cope better to see them that way.
I remember that for a short time I was taken in by what the government of that time was teaching us. I wanted to be like everyone else and be a true German. I wanted to be like the other teenagers. It was what everyone did and I just followed along. I was ever so happy when the Fuhrer had dinner with us. He was such a rude, insolent man.
I feel embarrassed about what I thought about Kurt at the time, I thought he was very handsome and noble. When I saw him kill that old man my feelings for him evaporated into thin air. I was scared and disgusted but I didn't let it show, I knew I had to pretend to still like him. He was so fanatical in his support for the Nazi party, it was a bit confronting. I remember Bruno hated him and rightfully so. He treated Bruno in such a patronizing way and the people in the camps with true distain. There was something not right about Kurt. I never found out what happened to him and nor do I care.
I do care about what happened to my father. The eventually hanged him but they kept him detained for a long time before hand – the trials went on forever and the things uncovered were disturbing beyond belief. He was offered the chance of writing to us but he didn't. He left this world without a word. No attempt at a justification for what he did. He had nothing to say for himself.
Maybe he knew what had become of Bruno and felt ashamed to write to us about that. My mother denied the horrible things he had done and even claimed it was all a Jewish conspiracy, but she never forgave him for not writing to us before his execution. I have no idea how my mother could continue to deny so much death and suffering when it happened right next to her, nor can I understand it in other people. She died about ten years after the war though, through cancer.
I went on with my life as if I was never there. I have never told anyone about it, nor will I ever. Not my friends, not my husband, not my three adult sons, not any of the grandchildren.
All of my three sons remind me of Bruno in a way, not so much in the form of looks but in personality. They love adventure and exploring, so much that my sons have travelled so far around the world. The Americas, Australia, Africa, Asia - much further than I had ever imagined going. I imagined what Bruno might have been like through them as a teenager, at 20, at 30, at 40 and nearing 50. I am so proud of them.
Bruno was denied their kind of life and it doesn't change the fact that Bruno will be an eight year old forever. He liked exploring, maybe he wandered somewhere he shouldn't have and was killed for it. He was always sneaking around the place. I can't blame him, it was so boring. He was such a lovely boy even if we were such brats to each other.
My feelings of loss and shock are probably nothing compared to the pain of survivors and those that did not live to tell the tale. I am an old woman now, who due to health problems, is not going to live for much longer. I wish I could change the past but it is far too late for that. It's unwise to dwell on the horrors of war and genocide. Let bygones be bygones – but remember not to repeat the mistakes of history.
Father's diary of regret:
What have I done? I rejected my family for my work, and now look where it has gotten us: Elsa and I lost our Son; our daughter lost a Brother... I should have just been sent to the front line, at least then Bruno would still have been safe. Even if I had died, my family would still have been intact. They would have got by without me. The words keep going over and over in my head, 'you caused the death of your Son.' If I hadn't been so keen to be promoted, we wouldn't have had to move away. We could have stayed at home. Bruno wouldn't have seen the 'farm' and been so keen to try it out; he would have had his old friends. I should have listened to my Mother. And look, she too has been taken from me. Again, it is my fault.
I need to be rid of this emotional pain. It's becoming too much. All the regret, the despair. The hatred in my wife and daughter's eyes as they look at me.
What would have happened if Kotler had stayed? Would he have noticed Bruno frequently escaping through the window at the back? Again, I acted without thinking; getting rid of him. But then, if I hadn't been so wrapped up in the work, I would have been able to notice my own son's disappearance. How long must it have taken him to dig that hole? All the while I was sitting in an office, doing Hitler's dirty work, whilst Bruno was taking food to the friend he had made.
Oh, scrap that thought; having Kotler back would have been a waste of time. He didn't even bother to tell me that the Jewish boy had claimed to be friends with my Son. We could have sent the Jew elsewhere. That would have been easy. We wouldn't have had to do anything more. And then, if Elsa hadn't been so hasty to move back home, Bruno wouldn't have rushed ahead and gone to the other side of the fence. If only. But no, I can't blame her. The fault lies with me. All of it.
And here is where I sign off, for I am going to my trial.
Gretel’s thoughts 60 years later:
It's been over 60 years and still think about my brother Bruno from time to time. In a way, I'm still looking for him. Sometimes I see a little boy that looks like him or a man about his age that looks like it could be him and I feel the urge to confront them. To ask them if they are Bruno, in the vague possibility that they might just say 'yes' but I am confronted with the brutal reality, that he is likely to be gone forever.
If my brother had just died and we knew, things might be different. I might have been able to grieve his loss and move on faster but simply disappearing has left things so open ended. Had he been murdered, died accidentally or kidnapped? Who would have done away with him and why? Or is there a possibility that he might be still alive? These questions will never be answered, maybe upon death but I'm not sure if I believe in any kind of afterlife.
It hurts to remember back when I moved with our father at his new workplace. Not because of its boredom but its ignorance. I don't think I can live with the fact that I was so blind to what was going on, but how could I have known? Young teenage girls do not assume that their fathers are mass murderers. People were treated so cruelly at the back of the place that I lived.
How many people died horrifically at the back of the house? The only reason was that they were Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals, Polish and Soviet civilians, prisoners of war and other groups that disagreed or did not in fit with the Aryan ideal. They estimate that over 11 million people died in the camps, six million of which were Jews. A great deal of them would have died in the camp overseen by my father.
I still think about my father too. I was left in a permanent state of shock when I found out what he had done. It's haunted me all my life as a shameful ghost. He was a kind father who loved us dearly and did not seem like the type. Was he so eager to advance in the SS that he forgot what was really important? Maybe he was so caught up in the propaganda that he was swept far away from reality. I find it hard to believe that a man like my father could see people in their pain and suffering and deny that they were human. Maybe it helped him cope better to see them that way.
I remember that for a short time I was taken in by what the government of that time was teaching us. I wanted to be like everyone else and be a true German. I wanted to be like the other teenagers. It was what everyone did and I just followed along. I was ever so happy when the Fuhrer had dinner with us. He was such a rude, insolent man.
I feel embarrassed about what I thought about Kurt at the time, I thought he was very handsome and noble. When I saw him kill that old man my feelings for him evaporated into thin air. I was scared and disgusted but I didn't let it show, I knew I had to pretend to still like him. He was so fanatical in his support for the Nazi party, it was a bit confronting. I remember Bruno hated him and rightfully so. He treated Bruno in such a patronizing way and the people in the camps with true distain. There was something not right about Kurt. I never found out what happened to him and nor do I care.
I do care about what happened to my father. The eventually hanged him but they kept him detained for a long time before hand – the trials went on forever and the things uncovered were disturbing beyond belief. He was offered the chance of writing to us but he didn't. He left this world without a word. No attempt at a justification for what he did. He had nothing to say for himself.
Maybe he knew what had become of Bruno and felt ashamed to write to us about that. My mother denied the horrible things he had done and even claimed it was all a Jewish conspiracy, but she never forgave him for not writing to us before his execution. I have no idea how my mother could continue to deny so much death and suffering when it happened right next to her, nor can I understand it in other people. She died about ten years after the war though, through cancer.
I went on with my life as if I was never there. I have never told anyone about it, nor will I ever. Not my friends, not my husband, not my three adult sons, not any of the grandchildren.
All of my three sons remind me of Bruno in a way, not so much in the form of looks but in personality. They love adventure and exploring, so much that my sons have travelled so far around the world. The Americas, Australia, Africa, Asia - much further than I had ever imagined going. I imagined what Bruno might have been like through them as a teenager, at 20, at 30, at 40 and nearing 50. I am so proud of them.
Bruno was denied their kind of life and it doesn't change the fact that Bruno will be an eight year old forever. He liked exploring, maybe he wandered somewhere he shouldn't have and was killed for it. He was always sneaking around the place. I can't blame him, it was so boring. He was such a lovely boy even if we were such brats to each other.
My feelings of loss and shock are probably nothing compared to the pain of survivors and those that did not live to tell the tale. I am an old woman now, who due to health problems, is not going to live for much longer. I wish I could change the past but it is far too late for that. It's unwise to dwell on the horrors of war and genocide. Let bygones be bygones – but remember not to repeat the mistakes of history.