Every nine year old boy loves going on adventures. Whether it’s going on a scavenger hunt or looking for treasure, memories will be made to last a lifetime. This story has a much different adventure that takes place during the dangerous days of World War II. The main character of the story has the adventure of his life with another boy he has no business being friends with. In the end, the friendship that develops between the two is strong enough to conquer death. Bruno is a tragic hero and his story, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, shows the reader the value of love and friendship.
Life is rapidly changing for nine-year-old Bruno and his family when they move from Berlin to Poland. His father is a member of the German army. “The man who employs him asks him to go somewhere else because there’s a very special job that needs doing there.” (Boyne 4) Bruno has left his friends and even some of his family to move to a worn-down house in the middle of nowhere. He is very unhappy and is having a difficult time adjusting to his new life. “I think this was a bad idea,” (13) Bruno says after they move to their new home known as the “Out With.” But, being a very curious little boy, he soon finds that he enjoys exploring the nearby woods to keep himself occupied outside of his schooling. Then, one day, Bruno makes the discovery of a lifetime. He finds a friend.
It started out as an ordinary day. Bruno was wandering in the woods near his house when he stumbled upon a fence. As he walks closer, Bruno notices that there is a boy sitting at the edge of the fence in a pair of striped pajamas. He, too, speaks German, and Bruno soon learns that the boy’s name is Shmuel. Both boys say hello and introduce themselves. They come to find that they have the same birthday. Bruno’s new friend tells him “…there may be dozens of Shmuels on this side of the fence bit I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone with the same birthday as me before.” “We’re like twins,” (110) Bruno replies. The boys are alike in some ways, but are very different in ways they could never understand at nine years old. Every day, the two boys would meet at the fence and talk most of the day. A beautiful friendship blossoms and Bruno and Shmuel learn how they are different. For example, Shmuel tells Bruno what it means to be a Jew. It is a word he never heard before. As Bruno’s world becomes tense with problems at home, he continues to see Shmuel. Bruno enjoys talking to his friend through a fence, but wants to go on an adventure as well. Shmuel agrees to his idea but their plans could be foiled. Bruno’s mother decides to take him and his sister back to Berlin. This makes Bruno unhappy but wants to make one last journey to the fence to see his friend.
The last day Bruno sees Shmuel, his friend brings disturbing news his father is missing. Bruno decides to climb under the fence and help his friend find his father. Shmuel gives him a pair of striped pajamas to wear. As the boys travel through the camp, a whistle is blown and soldiers order everyone to march to a chamber. The boys become frightened and are forced into the march. Soon Bruno and Shmuel are lead into a chamber with others Jews. Both friends hold hands, not knowing that they would have only a few moments alive together. Bruno confesses, “You’re my best friend, Shmuel. My best friend for life.” (213) Shmuel never got a chance to tell Bruno how he felt. “And then the room went very dark and somehow, despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel’s hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.” (213)
Bruno was never found by his family. He died innocently with his friend Shmuel. Bruno learned many things after meeting Shmuel. He learned the true meaning of friendship, loyalty, and love. He found a true best friend during one of the darkest times in history. Life was complicated for both of the boys, but their friendship prevailed over evil. The author was trying to teach us about how innocent lives were taken but through it all, friendship lives on.
