This is my essay on the boy in striped pyjamas
In John Boyne's novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, an important relationship is between Bruno and Shmuel. This relationship helped me to understand a key message, which is that nothing can stop a strong bond of friendship. In my opinion this novel shows and informs people like myself, the devastating truth about World War ll.
In the novel, Bruno, a 9-year-old boy from Berlin, is forced to move with his family for his father's job. Bruno didn't know what his father's job involved, all he knew was he was a high ranked soldier. Bruno and his family moved next to a concentration camp called Auschwitz where Shmuel was imprisoned. Bruno is an adventurous boy. As soon as he arrived at their new house he was eager to explore, "He went upstairs and turned slowly around in a full circle, hoping he might find a small door or cubby where a decent amount of exploration could eventually be done." That helped me to understand that at the time Bruno didn't know what his father did for work and enjoyed exploring.
Bruno had spent most of his time exploring but there was one place he had not. The back yard was strictly out of bounds and he wasn't allowed anywhere near it. Bruno's curiosity got the best of him and he snuck behind the back of the house. Something caught Bruno's eye as he explored all through the trees and shrubs. Bruno saw a dot along the other side of the large barbed fence as he wandered closer as the dot grew larger and larger. As the author said, "The Dot That Became a Speck That Became a Blob That Became a Figure That Became a Boy." That's how Bruno met Shmuel, with his curiosity. That showed me how Bruno and Shmuel met.
Every day Bruno would meet Shmuel on the opposite side of the fence, he would bring a ball or sometimes food, as Shmuel was often hungry. All the times Bruno visited Shmuel their friendship grew stronger. Through their visits Bruno and Shmuel learnt more about each other and came to realise how alike they were and how many things they had in common, "'Because my birthday is April the fifteenth too, and I was born in nineteen thirty-four, we were born on the same day,' said Bruno." Bruno was extremely happy to find a friend as he was getting very lonely at Out-With.
The relationship between Bruno and Shmuel develops from two young boys not sure about each other who then became best friends due to the similarities and kindness within the boys. This relationship helped me understand a key message in the novel, that no matter the race, gender or age you are, friendship is an unbreakable precious bond. In my opinion, more people need to be aware about the horrors of World War ll, this novel is a great emotional ride that informs and shows different perspectives of the Holocaust.
