Chapter 15: Something He Shouldn't Have Done

(163) Why doesn't Bruno like Kotler? What does he observe and not understand about Kotler when his father is away?
Because he doesn't smile and he teases him. Bruno observes that when his father is away Kotler acts like the man of the house and he can't understand why Kotler does this.
(163) What is meant when Kotler uses the cliche 'Don't worry, this one knows which side his bread is buttered on.'?
It means that he knows what the right thing to do is.
(165) How would you describe the interaction between Kotler and Bruno?
An unkind interaction. Bruno tries to show dislike to Kotler while Kotler makes jokes above Bruno's intelligence and this makes him even more annoyed as he knows that he is being insulted but he doesn't know how.
(166) What surprise does Bruno get?
Shmuel is in the kitchen cleaning glasses for the party
(167) How is juxtaposition used when Bruno compares his hand to Shmuel's?
Bruno's hands are healthy, clean and strong while Shmuels are weak, dirty and thin
(168-9) Does Bruno understand the pressure that Shmuel is under?
No. He doesn't know as he tries to give Shmuel food, but Shmuel doesn't want to take it because he knows that he will get in trouble if he does.
(171-2) What dramatic situation unfolds and what is Bruno's reaction?
Shmuel eats the chicken, Kotler sees and gets angry about this. Bruno lies because he doesn't want to get in trouble.
(173-4) What does Bruno think of himself because of the way he reacts? How is the major theme 'fear' portrayed in this scene? What does it do to Bruno and Shmuel?
Bruno feels bad as he lied and got his friend in trouble. It portrays fear because as soon as he thinks he may get in trouble he denies his friendship.
(175) What does Bruno say that prompts Shmuel to offer his hand in friendship? How is this symbolic?
He says that he was sorry for what he did and he did it because he was scared, not because he didn't want to be Shmuel's friend. It's symbolic of the Germans as some of them think it's bad but they are too scared to do anything about it.

Chapter 14: Bruno Tells a Perfectly Reasonable Lie

(150-1) What information do we get that makes the reader start to feel that he is becoming less innocent and more ignorant?
Bruno complains about not being able to wear pyjamas. The people wearing them are killed and he doesn't even notice.
(151-3) What is interesting about the weather and how does it relate to the overall emotion of this stage in the book?
It rains and rain usually symbolises sadness and all these people are dying around them which is sad.
(153) What does Bruno accidentally say to Gretel?

"I should be with Shmuel by now. He'll think I've forgotten him."

(154-5) Is Bruno able to consider Gretel's feelings? How do you know?
Bruno is able to consider Gretel's feeling. He is able to see that she too is bored at the house and that she also had to leave things behind
(155) What is it that motivates Bruno not to tell Gretel the truth? How does this portray Bruno as being selfish?
He believes that Gretel might 'steal' Shmuel from him. This makes him selfish because he does it for himself
(158) What is it that Bruno realises when he starts recounting what Shmuel tells him? Why do you think that this is when he finally starts to realise what Shmuel is experiencing?
He realises that he wasn't considerate of all the hardships that Shmuel had to endure. It took him so long because his innocence prevented him form seeing the horror
(159) What is ironic and hypocritical about what Gretel tells Bruno regarding imaginary friends?

It is ironic because she has dolls as imaginary friends and she says imaginary friends are for small boys when she has imaginary friends in her dolls.

Chapter 13: The Bottle of Wine

(134) How does the initial paragraph frame Bruno's state of mind?
Bruno has a young state of mind as he continues to complain about not going home soon even though he has a friend which is starving next door.
(136) What does the question Bruno asks Maria show about his development?
Bruno asks whether or not Pavel is a doctor. This show's that he is at least trying to develop unlike other people who don't bother.
(137) What is important about Maria's reaction to Bruno's question?
Maria's reaction shows that the question is a serious one. She also tells him the information which is usually kept from him. She isn't treating him like a child.
(138) Why does Bruno want to tell Shmuel about Pavel? What does this highlight about Bruno's understanding of what is going on?
Bruno asks Shmuel about Pavel to see if he knows him as they are both wearing the 'pyjamas'. Shmuel tells him there are thousands on the other side of the fence and this knowledge makes Bruno loose innocence and gain ignorance about what is going on
(140) What do the boys argue about? Who does Bruno defend? Who is right/wrong? Why?
They argue about whether or not there are good soldiers. Bruno defends his Father. Bruno is right because there are good soldiers but Shmuel is also right as he hasn't seen this kindness.
(140) Shmuel says 'You don't know what it's like here.' and Bruno reacts by saying 'You don't have any sisters, do you?' He says this to avoid an answer to Shmuel. What does this show about Bruno's understanding of what is happening?
It furthers his ignorance because instead of trying to learn more he just sidesteps the question.
(141) What connection do the boys have regarding Lt. Kotler?
They both fear him, Shmuel with good reason as he is beaten and ordered about by him and Bruno without a good reason as he only annoys him.
(142) What has changed in the the way Bruno sees Pavel?
He has more sympathy for him as he is sick and getting weaker.
(143) What important words are used to describe the way the father eats and addresses Bruno? What makes them important? How do they relate to the scene and the father as a character?
The way the father talks and eats is in a murderous manner. He points a knife at his son and attacks the lamb
(145) We learn Lt. Kotler's first name - 'Kurt'. What is it about the sounds in his full name that are important? 'Kurt Kotler'
Alliteration, sharp sounds
(146-7) What do we learn about Kotler's father? What is Bruno's father's reaction/suggestion regarding Kotler's father leaving Germany for Switzerland?
He was a literature professor at a university. He left Germany for Switzerland and this made the Bruno's father angry
(148) What happens to break the tension at the dinner table? What does Kotler do and what are everyone's reactions? What does Bruno decide regarding disagreeing with anyone anymore after seeing what happens to Kotler? What does this relate to historically in regards to the Nazis?
Pavel spills wine on Kotler's lap. He gets angry and attacks Pavel. Everyone is in shock. Bruno decides to let it go. The Nazi's could get away with anything because everyone let it go as it was for the good of the country.

Evaluating your Partner's Performance

Today in class we are going to listen to a discussion for 5-10 min on each chapter (11 + 12).

During the conversation you are to take notes on:

- participation
- what questions/answers they ask
- do they know what they are talking about
- overall what is your impression of their understanding of what is happening in the chapter

Give your partner an HONEST score out of 10 (10 being the best).


Justin Khoong


Notes:

• The Fury and his wife are like Bruno and Gretel (juxtaposition)

2/10

Chapter 10: The Dot That Became a...

(105) What does the progression of 'dot' to 'boy' tell us about the role of exploring and meeting the people in the camp? What does this represent about how other Germans view the Jews?
While exploring you should investigate something's and ignore other things . When you meet people you should ask some questions but leave others out. Also the progression of 'dot' to 'boy' is like when you meet someone, you don't really know anything about them but as you get to know them you can see the bigger picture. The Germans only see the 'dot' for the Jewish people while they should be trying to find the 'boy'.
(109) What effect does the boys both having the same birthday have?
It makes them feel more connected, as they have something else in common. It also makes it a juxtaposition of they boys separate lives.
(113-4) What do Bruno and Shmuel 'argue' about? What does Bruno decide to stop the argument?
They argue over the better place to live. Shmuel say's Poland and Bruno says Berlin. Bruno stops the arguement because he doesn't want to fight his new friend. He says "let's agree to disagree".
(115) What does Bruno's last question reveal to Shmuel? What do you think Shmuel thinks of Bruno because of asking this question? 
Bruno asks why there are so many people on that side of the fence which shows to Shmuel that Bruno is either innocent or ignorant. I also think Shmuel may feel happy for Bruno that he doesn't know of the horror but also shocked because of this.

Chapter 9: Bruno Remembers That He Used to Enjoy Exploration

(pg95-96) How is Lt Kotler portrayed? Why is he portrayed this way? (remember that 'how' is asking about literary techniques)
Lt Kotler is portrayed as a proud person. The quote "Lieutenant Kotler still strode around the house in his black boots as if there was no one in the whole world of any more importance than him" shows that he carries himself proudly and thinks very highly of himself.
What is Herr Liszt going to 'change' for Bruno? (98)
He is going to try and stop him from thinking about story books, but instead think of thinks that he himself thinks important like the history of the Fatherland.
(100) What connection does Bruno make between the people in the camp and the people that come and visit his house all the time?
They both wear uniforms and they are not that different. He can't even see the difference, he wonders why the people in the camp need their uniforms and the officers need their's and also who decides who wears what. 
What some of the things that Bruno begins to take notice of regarding the relationship between the soldiers and the people in 'pyjamas'?
The people in 'pyjamas' come to attention whenever the soldiers arrive. He also notices the Jews getting shot and killed even though he doesn't realise what it means. There is a big power imbalance.

Chapter 7: How Mother Took Credit for Something She Hadn't Done

• How is the mother's defence of Herr Roller entirely ironic?

Its ironic that Bruno's mother defends Herr Roller by saying that he was a lovely human being before he was inflicted with his current condition. It's ironic because she can defend a war veteran who suffered a lot in the war but she can't show this passion to the Jew's who are suffering even more then Herr Roller.

• What role does Kotler represent historically in the novel? (think beyond being a soldier)

Kotler represents the perfect German race. He has blue eyes and blonde hair like Hitler believes makes one perfect. He shows their lack of respect for Jews and that they blindly followed Hitler.

• What character is Kotler juxtaposed with in this chapter? What effect does it have on understanding each of these characters?

Kolter is juxtaposed with Pavel, and this highlights how the Jews were treated by the Germans - with no respect no matter their age. 

• How would you compare the interaction Bruno has with Pavel to all the other interactions Bruno has had with adults?

Pavel listens to Bruno while other adults don't. They can talk to each other while others would just stop him in the first place.

• Why is juxtaposition a key technique employed in Holocaust texts? How has it been used in The Boy in the Striped PJ's?

Because it's useful. It shows the difference between peoples lifestyles, their state of mind. Without it you would only know one side of the story. They compare Kolter to Pavel, Mother to Father, or even Bruno to Gretel. It is the most commonly used technique in the boy in striped pyjamas