The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Chapter One

Bruno Makes a Discovery

VOCABULARY

chaos – a state of complete disorder and confusion dismissively – indicating

rejection or lack of interest hesitating – being reluctant to do or say
something imitate – to adopt someone else’s behavior, voice, or manner; to
mimic muster – to summon up strength or courage that will help in doing
something spluttering – saying something that is not understandable;
making a spitting or choking sound
wardrobe – a large closet or freestanding cabinet for clothes
whooshing – the sound made by rushing air or water

1. What discovery does Bruno make when he comes home from school? What is his
initial reaction to this discovery?

2. Describe what you know about Maria’s personality by noting the author’s use of
physical details on the first page.

3. How old do you think Bruno is? What details in the chapter lead you to this
conclusion?

4. Who is Gretel, and what is Bruno’s opinion of her?

5. Identify the clues the author gives the reader as to the setting of the novel.

6. Compare Mother and Father in this chapter in terms of behavior and attitude. What
is the nature of their relationship?

7. What is Father’s job? What does Bruno think his father does for a living?
8. How do you know that Mother has conflicting feelings about moving from Berlin?

9. Identify Bruno’s concerns about moving. What is his primary one?

10. What hints or clues does the author provide to suggest what action is to come?
Identify an example of foreshadowing in this chapter.

11. To whom is Mother referring when she says, “We don’t have as much time to prepare
as I would have liked, thanks to some people”?

12. What might the banister be symbolic of in this chapter?

13. From what point of view is the novel told?

14. Authors make many choices regarding style. Style is thought of as the qualities and
characteristics that distinguish one writer’s work from the work of others. One choice
that Boyne, makes in this novel is in his use of capital letters throughout the novel,
such as in “Hopeless Case” earlier and “Out Of Bounds At All Times And No
Exceptions” in this chapter. Why might the author have made this stylistic choice?
What purpose do you think the capital letters serve?
 Chapter Two

The New House

VOCABULARY

commandants – leaders; commanders

content – happy
cubby – a small space to hide or put things
desolate – deserted or isolated
foreseeable – estimated; probable; to know in
advance frothy – foamy; bubbly greengrocers –
grocery store employees
luxury – the pleasure, right, or ability
presumed – supposed; assumed
priorities – main concerns
respectable – highly regarded; decent and
proper restrictions – limitations or boundaries
springing – leaping strolling – walking leisurely

1. Describe the differences between Bruno’s old house in Berlin and his new house.

2. What are Bruno’s feelings about the new house? How does he feel when he closes his
eyes in each place?

3. What does Bruno’s mother say about their situation? How do you know how she
really feels?

4. Who are the other servants in their new house? What does Bruno notice about the
male servant?

5. Explain the significance of Mother saying, “Some people make all the decisions for
us.” What motif might this quotation highlight?

6. What is Mother’s explanation for what the “foreseeable future” means? Describe
Bruno’s physical reaction to her explanation.
7. What is Bruno’s attitude toward Maria, compared with his father’s opinion of her?

8. What is Maria’s reaction to Bruno asking her if she thinks they have “made a big
mistake”? What does she later say that reveals her real opinion?

9. Describe the soldier Bruno sees in the hallway outside his room. Note Bruno’s and
Maria’s reactions to the soldier.

10. How do the opening and closing of this chapter have a parallel structure? Explain
how the beginning and ending are both similar and different.

11. The last two lines of the chapter are an example of what literary device? Cite other
possible examples of this literary device in the chapter.

12. What is the one thing in Bruno’s new house that is similar to his old house? How
might this item be considered a symbol?

13. What does Bruno see out of his window? Why does the author not reveal what Bruno
sees?
 Chapter Three

The Hopeless Case

VOCABULARY
acknowledging – admitting
mistook – misunderstood
protested – objected or opposed
smartened – redecorated; made more beautiful
storming – stomping

1. Based on the title of the chapter, whom might you assume the chapter is about?
Explain your reasoning.

2. How old are Gretel and Bruno?

3. How does Bruno feel about Gretel? Explain their relationship.

4. What is something that Bruno feels insecure about?

5. What piece of his mother’s advice does Bruno attempt to follow in this chapter?

6. Discuss the role of irony in this chapter and how it serves as a source of humor.

7. What is the one thing that Bruno and Gretel agree upon?

8. What is “Out-With”? How did Father come to be sent there?

9. Discuss the author’s depiction of Father in previous chapters as compared with this
chapter.

10. There is a dramatic shift in the power between Gretel and Bruno in this chapter.
What happens, and what is the result of this shift?

11. Why is Gretel nervous at the end of the chapter?

12. How is the last paragraph of Chapter Three an example of foreshadowing?

 Chapter Four

What They Saw Through the Window

VOCABULARY
conviction – a belief or opinion
decidedly – definitely; unquestionably
emerging – appearing
huddled – gathered together
lowly – ordinary; common
lunged – sprang; pounced
peered – looked closely
surveyed – examined or reviewed
telegraph – wire transmission

1. When Gretel and Bruno first look out of the window at the start of the chapter, what
do they see? What immediate observation does Gretel make?

2. Contrast in the view immediately outside Bruno’s window with the start of the fence
line. Note the simile used in this section. What is implied?

3. In what way does Bruno feel triumphant over Gretel, and why? What literary device
does the author use to convey Bruno’s feelings?

4. What does Gretel decide that they must be seeing? How does Bruno contradict her
opinion and prove her wrong? How is this situation ironic?

5. Identify the progression of realizations Gretel makes when she understands that
Bruno is right about the farm. Why, then, is her next question significant?

6. Describe what Bruno and Gretel observe about the interactions between the people
and the soldiers. What is Gretel’s estimation of what is going on?

7. Explain the internal conflict Gretel is having in this chapter. How is this conflict tied
to the themes of both childhood innocence and one’s ability to deny the truth?

8. What “final thought” does Bruno have?

 Chapter Five

Out Of Bounds At All Times And No Exceptions

VOCABULARY
clambered – climbed; crawled
commotion – an uproar
debated – questioned; argued
efficiency – productivity
ergo – [ Latin ] “therefore”
insolent – rude and disrespectful
lacquered – polished
overawed – impressed
slobbering – drooling
splendour – [ splendor] magnificence; luxury

1. Based on the title of the chapter, what might you assume the chapter is about?

2. Explain the details of Bruno’s flashback from the days leading up to their leaving
Berlin.

3. What prompts Bruno to go downstairs to his father’s study? What does he find?

4. Compare Bruno’s observations of his father and the soldiers. What is Bruno’s
attitude toward his father?

5. What were the rules associated with Father’s study when they were in Berlin? Why
does Bruno choose to break those rules now?

6. Describe the setting of Father’s study and how it is different from the rest of the
house.
7. Explain how the motif of ‘home’ plays an important role in the scene of conflict
between Bruno and his father. Compare their attitudes toward their new home.

8. In Chapter Two, Mother tries to help Bruno make the best of a bad situation. How
does this theme continue in this chapter with Father’s advice to Bruno?

9. What is Bruno’s reaction to his Father’s advice? What is, perhaps, surprising about
Father’s reaction to Bruno’s perspective on why they have been sent to Out-With?

10. “The people” is another motif in the novel. Explain the reference in this chapter to
“the people” and Bruno’s and Father’s differing views. Ultimately, how is this motif
tied to the theme of racism and discrimination?

11. Numerous references have been made to the “Heil Hitler” salute so far in the novel,
but this is the first time the reader understands Bruno’s perspective on its meaning.
Explain how his perception exemplifies the theme of childhood innocence.
 Chapter Six

The Overpaid Maid

VOCABULARY
clenched – tightened
discarding – abandoning
enforced – carried out; prescribed
engaged – involved
frenzied – overexcited; feverish; frantic
muttered – mumbled
peckish – irritable; hungry
pension – an allowance or income, particularly after retirement
reverberated – echoed

1. Based on the title “The Overpaid Maid,” what might this chapter be about? Why?

2. Explain how the motif of home is represented in this chapter.

3. What does Bruno ask Maria’s opinion about and what is her initial reaction? What
clues does the reader get as to her real feelings on the matter?

4. Discuss the history of Maria’s relationship with Bruno’s family. On what basis does
she view Father as “a good man”?

5. What important realization does Bruno make about Maria in this chapter?

6. At what point in the chapter does the mood drastically change, and how?
7. Note several examples of simile and metaphor in this chapter.

8. Contrast Bruno’s and Gretel’s treatment of Maria in this chapter.

9. What is Maria’s primary fear regarding Bruno’s attitude toward Out-With? What is
Bruno’s response?

10. Explain the significance of Maria saying, “We must all keep ourselves safe until this is
all over. That’s what I intend to do anyway. What more can we do than that after all?
It’s not up to us to change things.” How do these lines connect to one of the novel’s
main themes?

11. What does Bruno’s reaction to Maria’s statement suggest about him?

12. What does Bruno ultimately decide at the end of the chapter?

Chapter Seven

How Mother Took Credit for Something That She Hadn’t Done
 VOCABULARY
appallingly – dreadfully
astonished – astounded; shocked
decidedly – unquestionably
diversion – a distraction
domestic – native; local
escapade – an adventure
hefty – heavy; substantial
insolently – rudely; disrespectfully
ringlets – curls or spirals
ruffling – rumpling; messing up
striding – walking
succession – sequence
utterly – completely
woozy – dizzy

1. Who is Herr Roller, and what brings him to Bruno’s mind in this chapter?

2. Describe Lieutenant Kotler’s physical appearance, actions, and dialogue. What small
details prevent Kotler from being a one-dimensional caricature?

3. What is Pavel’s reaction to Lieutenant Kotler’s demands? How does his behavior
change when he is alone with Bruno?

4. What is the most important detail that is learned about Pavel? What is Bruno’s
reaction to this information?

5. What does Pavel mean when he says, “I think I’ve always been here” when Bruno
asks when he arrived at Out-With?
6. Describe Mother’s reaction when she walks into the kitchen at the end of the chapter.
What does she understand that Bruno does not?

7. How is the title of the chapter ironic?

Chapter Eight

Why Grandmother Stormed Out

 VOCABULARY
coincide – to overlap
devise – to develop; invent
muffled – muted; lowered
reclaim – to regain
summon – to call

1. What is revealed about Grandfather’s and Grandmother’s backgrounds?

2. What does Bruno remember about the last play he, Gretel, and Grandmother
performed, and why did it particularly upset him?

3. Discuss the fundamental source of conflict between Grandmother and Grandfather

with regards to their son’s professional aspirations. What simile does Grandmother
use to make her point?

4. When Grandmother says, “I was merely the blank wall to whom you addressed your
words,” what does she mean? This is an example of what literary device?

5. Explain Grandmother’s attitude toward Mother as seen in this chapter.

6. What information does Bruno include in his letter to Grandmother? What might
happen as a result of his letter?
 Chapter Nine

Bruno Remembers That He Used to Enjoy Exploration

VOCABULARY
rummaged – searched through
squinted – peered; narrowed one’s eyes
stern – severe; harsh
strode – walked with purpose; marched

1. In what ways have things remained the same at Out-With, and what has suddenly
changed?

2. Describe Bruno’s opinion of Herr Liszt as compared with his teacher in Berlin.

3. What is the primary source of conflict that Herr Liszt and Bruno have in terms of
Bruno’s education?

4. Explain the irony and humor in Bruno’s assumption about “the great wrongs that
have been done” to him.

5. Identify the one thing Bruno decides he can do at Out-With that he was also able to
do in Berlin.

6. Explain the significance of the questions Bruno asks himself as he looks out of the
window at the people in the striped pajamas. How are these questions tied to an
important theme in the novel?
7. What comparison does Bruno make between the people in the striped pajamas and
the soldiers? What fundamental difference does he also note?

8. What is the “one final thing” Bruno must investigate before heading off on his
adventure? What does he find?

9. Describe Bruno’s thoughts as he leaves the grounds.

Chapter Ten

The Dot That Became a Speck That Became a Blob

That Became a Figure That Became a Boy
 VOCABULARY
forlorn – lonely; lost; pitiful

1. What does Bruno notice about the fence during his exploration? What prevents him
from turning back to the house?

2. Identify the two categories of exploration, according to Bruno. In which category is

the boy?

3. What is the effect of the author’s repetition of the “dot…speck…blob…boy”

sequence?

4. Describe what Bruno notices about the boy’s physical characteristics when he first
meets him.

5. Why does Bruno decide not to ask the boy why he is sad?

6. Discuss the boys’ reactions to hearing each other’s names. Which literary device do
they both use to illustrate their reactions?

7. What striking similarity do the boys discover about one another? What theme might
this startling fact highlight?
8. What has brought Shmuel to this particular part of the fence? What is the irony in
Bruno’s response to this information?

9. Cite an example of the Nazi brainwashing common during this period in history with
respect to Bruno’s attitude. How does this mentality make Bruno feel?

10. What new information does Bruno learn from Shmuel about where Out-With is?

11. Compare what each boy says about their previous homes.

12. What questions does Bruno ask Shmuel at the end of the chapter? Why might the
author not have included Shmuel’s responses?

Chapter Eleven

The Fury
 VOCABULARY
crockery – tableware
curtsy – a formal bow in greeting
disdain – disapproval; dislike
enunciating – pronouncing clearly
extravagant – excessive; overdone
promptly – on time
ushered – escorted; steered
varnished – polished

1. What or who might the chapter be about, and why?

2. Authors often use “flashback” as a device to provide readers with important

background information that has not yet been revealed. How does this chapter
function as a flashback?

3. What news does Father bring home at the start of the chapter? What are his family’s
reactions to the news?

4. To whom is Mother referring when she comments that the evening would be a greater
success “if some people helped out a little bit more around the house.”

5. What “ground rules” does Father set for the children to obey while the Fury is there?
6. What is the irony of Father’s statement, “The last thing we need is for either of you to
start behaving like children”?

7. What do Hitler’s actions, reactions, and dialogue reveal about his character? Note his
physical description as well.

8. In contrast, what do Eva’s actions, reactions, and dialogue reveal about her
character? Note her physical description as well.

9. Discuss the information the reader can gather from Mother and Father’s argument at
the end of the chapter.

Chapter Twelve

Shmuel Thinks of an Answer to Bruno’s Question

 VOCABULARY
mended – fixed, repaired

1. What is learned about Shmuel’s life before coming to Out-With?

2. When and in what ways did things begin to change for Shmuel?

3. Describe the fundamental conflict in Bruno and Shmuel’s conversation and the theme
highlighted as a result. What type of irony is illustrated by this conflict?

4. List the specific aspects of Shmuel’s account that Bruno attempts to compare to his
own situation. What obvious differences does Bruno ignore in each case?
5. Explain the presence of the window motif in this chapter.

6. Explain the significance of Shmuel’s statement: “Lots of people didn’t want to and
they hid wherever they could find a place but in the end I think they caught
everyone.” What is the key word in this quotation?

7. What are the only two questions that Shmuel asks Bruno in this chapter, and why are
these two questions significant? What is Bruno’s response?

8. Give an example of foreshadowing in this chapter.

9. Why does Bruno decide not to tell anyone about Shmuel?

Chapter Thirteen

The Bottle of Wine

 VOCABULARY

incumbent – mandatory; unavoidable

preying – targeting; occupying
tubercular – having tuberculosis (a disease affecting the lungs)

1. How has Bruno’s attitude changed at the start of this chapter?

2. What question does Bruno ask Maria? What is her reaction to the question? Why
does the author choose not to reveal Maria’s answer in this scene?

3. Explain Bruno’s understanding of his conversation with Maria. What is Shmuel’s

response to this information?

4. Note the irony in Shmuel’s future choice of profession.

5. Discuss the conflict Bruno and Shmuel have over their discussion of the soldiers,
Lieutenant Kotler in particular.

6. How has Bruno’s perception of Pavel changed? What does he notice about Pavel’s
behavior and appearance during the dinner scene?

7. Identify an example of foreshadowing in this chapter that predicts the scene

between Kotler and Pavel.
8. What new information is revealed about Kotler’s background in this chapter?

9. Explain how the author builds tension in the dinner scene.

10. What is the effect of Father’s repeated use of the word perhaps toward the end of the
chapter when he is speaking with Kotler?

11. Explain the confrontation that occurs at the end of the chapter. What details are
given, and what details are withheld? Why might the author have made this choice?

12. What does Bruno decide at the end of the chapter, and why? Note the significance of
the recurrence of the phrase “some people.”

Chapter Fourteen

Bruno Tells a Perfectly Reasonable Lie

VOCABULARY
flounced – stomped; bounced
1. What does Bruno notice about Shmuel one afternoon that Shmuel does not want to
talk about? What assumption does Bruno make?

2. Note the ways in which Bruno is jealous of Shmuel. What information is Bruno
disregarding in each case?

3. What important function does the setting serve in this chapter?

4. Explain how Bruno comes to reveal his secret about Shmuel to Gretel.

5. Note the tactics Bruno uses to try to cover up his mistake in saying Shmuel’s name.
Identify the dilemma Bruno faces and what he ultimately decides.

6. How is Bruno able to convince his sister that he is telling the truth about his
imaginary friend?
7. Why does Bruno decide to continue talking about Shmuel? What information does he
reveal to Gretel?

8. What realization does Bruno have as he is telling Gretel about Shmuel’s grandfather,
and why is it important in his character’s development?

9. What advice does Gretel give Bruno at the end of the chapter?

Chapter Fifteen

Something He Shouldn’t Have Done

VOCABULARY
churned – stirred
sneering – smirking; mocking
1. Why is Bruno getting worried about Shmuel? What does he try to do to help?

2. Identify the reasons Bruno gives for why he does not like Lieutenant Kotler.

3. Describe Mother’s attitude toward Lieutenant Kotler. Is her behavior surprising?

4. In what way are Lieutenant Kotler’s actions in this chapter consistent with what the
reader already knows about him?

5. What is the “biggest surprise” of Bruno’s life in this chapter?

6. Note the literary device the author uses to describe Shmuel’s hands. How are Bruno’s
and Shmuel’s hands very different from each other?

7. Describe the dilemma Shmuel faces in this chapter. What is the result?

8. How does Shmuel attempt to keep himself out of trouble? What is Bruno’s reaction?

9. Why does Bruno deny knowing Shmuel? What does it say about his character?
10. How does this scene relate to major themes in the novel?

11. Note the figurative language the author uses to describe Shmuel’s reaction to Bruno’s
denial. What does Shmuel wish for?

12. Assess the sincerity of Bruno’s apology in terms of his actions, reactions, and
dialogue. How does Shmuel receive the apology?

13. Identify an example of dramatic irony at the end of the chapter.

14. Discuss the significance of Shmuel’s comment, “I don’t feel anything anymore” and
how it relates back to the language the author uses in question 11.

Chapter Sixteen

The Haircut
VOCABULARY
dwindling – decreasing
inconsolable – very sad; devastated
persisted – continued
piercing – high-pitched; earsplitting
1. Why does Bruno’s family return to Berlin? What has changed since Bruno left a year
ago? What role does the motif of home play?

2. Why is Father particularly sad at the funeral? What does Mother say about the
flowers from the Fury?

3. Identify the “many things” Bruno says that he should be happy about at Out-With.

4. What is unusual about Lieutenant Kotler’s departure? What might be a reasonable

assumption?

5. Why does Bruno feel that his friendship with Shmuel is “the strangest friendship I’ve
ever had”? What is Shmuel’s reaction? Why does Bruno repeatedly make these sorts
of comments?

6. How has Gretel’s room changed since Bruno was last in it? What do these changes
indicate about her character?
7. Explain the role of the fence motif in this chapter.

8. How does Gretel’s discussion of the fence and the Jews highlight the theme of racism,
prejudice, and discrimination? In what way is her explanation ironic?

9. What development in the plot changes Mother’s attitude significantly?

10. Note an example of foreshadowing at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Seventeen

Mother Gets Her Own Way

VOCABULARY
explicit – clear; obvious
remotely – slightly
senile – confused; absent-minded
1. What might happen in this chapter, based on its title? Explain your reasoning.

2. Describe the content of the argument Bruno overhears outside Father’s study. What
is the most significant comment made, and why?

3. How does Bruno feel upon hearing his parents’ argument?

4. Discuss the conversation Father has with his children about returning to Berlin.
Contrast Bruno’s and Gretel’s reactions.
5. At what moment does Father seem to make his decision? What does it reveal about
his character?

6. Explain the context and what is meant by the figurative language, “It was like a
silence that was very noisy.”

7. How does Bruno feel at the end of the chapter?

Chapter Eighteen

Thinking Up the Final Adventure

VOCABULARY
hatch – to originate; emerge

1. What happens when Bruno attempts to find Shmuel to tell him about moving back to
Berlin?
2. Bruno’s hypothesis about Shmuel’s father highlights what theme in the novel?

3. Note the comments Shmuel makes about the soldiers. What aspect of his comments is
the most surprising, and why?

4. What is Shmuel’s response to Bruno’s question, “You don’t hate Father, do you?”
How is his reaction significant in terms of your overall perception of Father’s
character?
5. Describe Shmuel’s response to Bruno’s news about Berlin.

6. Explain the significance of the title of the chapter. How is the title tied to a motif in the
novel?

7. Authors use a variety of techniques to create mood in a novel. Note the contrast in
mood at the end of the chapter and how the author achieves this with his use of
language, foreshadowing, and irony.

Chapter Nineteen

What Happened the Next Day

VOCABULARY
dispatch – to dispatch; transfer
squelched – squished; splashed
toppling – falling over

1. How does the author use both setting and irony to establish the mood in this chapter?
2. What factor almost prevents Bruno from meeting with Shmuel for the last time?
When he finally does meet him, what two things are different about Shmuel?

3. Note the contrast in the boys’ goals for the day.

4. What does Bruno notice while he is changing into the striped pajamas? What does
Shmuel notice once Bruno is dressed?

5. Why does Bruno recall his grandmother?

6. Compare and contrast the reality and illusion of what Bruno finds on the other side of
the fence. What is his reaction?

7. What prevents Bruno from being able to leave when he decides he wants to go home?
Why is Bruno not particularly scared at this point?

8. Identify the most significant comment that Shmuel makes regarding the marching.

9. Why is Bruno relieved when they get to the “long room”? What does he assume is
happening? What is the dramatic irony of this situation?

10. Note several examples of irony in this chapter by quoting the text directly.
11. Note several examples of foreshadowing in the chapter

12. What role does the adventure and exploration motif play in this chapter?

13. Describe the final moments in this chapter and the themes that are highlighted.

Chapter Twenty

The Last Chapter

NO VOCABULARY

1. What efforts do the soldiers make to find Bruno? What do they find?
2. Describe the effects of Bruno’s disappearance on each member of his family.

3. Explain the irony of the last two paragraphs of the novel.