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

Chapter 6 - The Overpaid Maid

• On pg 60 Bruno reveals a radical shift in his perspective and understanding of Maria. What is this radical shift? What does this show is developing in Bruno?

He realises that Maria had a life before she became his fathers maid, and that it wasn't that good. It show's how Bruno can now start to realise that people aren't the way they are for life and not everyone was as well off as him.

• Compare how Bruno and Gretel treat Maria.

Bruno and Gretel usually treat Maria the same way even though Bruno is a little bit more respectful. Now though, after hearing about Maria's past Bruno gets angry at Gretel even though she speaks the same way to Maria that she always had because he had gained true respect for her. Gretel treats her like a servant, Bruno treats her like a person

• (pg 65) What is Maria's advice to Bruno about 'keeping safe'? Why do you think that she gives this advice? Do you think that it is good or bad advice?

She tells Bruno not to say how he feels about the house out loud to keep them safe. She says this because if the "Fury" hears about it he might get angry with the family and Bruno could also be told what's really going on and lose his innocence. It is good advice.

• (65-6) What is Bruno's reaction to his new thoughts/feelings? Why do you think that he reacts this way?

Bruno's reaction to his new feelings is to cry, even though he doesn't know why. I believe that he reacts this way because he can't do what he wants.

Holocaust Poetry #2

Homeland
Lois E. Olena
It was Christmas eve
and there was no room in the inn,
the Oswiecim inn,
so the Arrow Cross
took the children,
barefooted
and in their nighties,
out to the Danube
and filled their little bellies
not with bread
but bullets
flipping them
like tiddlywinks
into the congealing, icy river below.

It was the Red Danube
that night,
choking on the blood
of orphan Jews
whose little Blue faces
floated downstream
touring even all of Europe
until they washed up
on the shores of Eretz Yisrael (Jewish homeland)
and came back to life,
their little blue and white
bodies
raised high,
flapping in the wind.
How is imagery used in this poem?
It's a nice Christmas day, there are children going to an inn and when they get there they are taken away, shot and thrown into the river. Then they are brought to life once they reach their homeland. The author turns a nice peaceful image into one of horror. It's showed the extremes that the Germans would go to to kill innocent Jews.
Discuss the effect of the simile in this poem.
The simile is "like tiddlywinks". It compares the Germans killing to a child's game. It also makes the Germans seem strong and the Jew look weak
How is alliteration used in the poem? What is the effect?
"Not bullets but bread". This uses juxtaposition by putting bread next to bullets
How does the author juxtapose the innocence of the children to the cruelty they experienced?
Because they are innocent it makes the fact that they where cruelly treated even worse.
What is meant by 'touring all of Europe'?
It means that they went down the river throughout all of Europe after they had been thrown in. It also gives the effect that they are drawn to the motherland. 

Chapter 5: Out of Bounds at All Times No Exceptions

     1.   What does it say that we only actually meet the father in the book in Chapter 5 even though he is the one causing much of the action in the book?


It says that even though he causes much of the action he is not all that important to the story.


     2.   The mother says: ‘We should have never let the Fury come to dinner. Some people and their determination to get ahead.’ What theme does this introduce regarding the role of ambition and causing harm? 


This shows that she believes that if they hadn't invited the Fury for dinner they wouldn't have had to move to Auschwitz. Because the father was so ambition it made his family move from home and they dislike him. He's selfish. The German's through their ambition are blind to the horror they have created.


3. How does Bruno's father speak to him? Give an example to support your answer.


Treats him like a child, doesn't show much emotion as he also speaks to his men.

4. How would you compare the way Bruno speaks about the world to his father's? Do they both comment about what is going on around them the same?


Bruno always says the truth the way he see's it. His father doesn't as he has managed to convince himself that killing thousands of people is just. They don't have similar comments.


5. How does the father rationalise every concern that Bruno has?


Bruno's father pays no heed to his sons worries. He believes that what has happened is for the greater good of Germany and nothing else matters.


6. What is ironic about what the father says when he comes around the desk and talks to Bruno about his childhood?


His father said he had to do what Bruno was doing now, whatever his father wanted, and then he can't even remember what he had had to do. Also he believes he is successful because of it even though he is killing people for a living.

7. Do you think that the father really cares about Bruno? Why/why not?


Of course his father cares for Bruno. His job may get in the way at times but his love is still there.

8. Do you think that Bruno understands what he is saying when he says 'Heil Hitler!'?


Bruno doesn't understand. He just believes that it is a different way to say goodbye to someone.

9. How is juxtaposition used in Bruno's description of their boarding the train to Auschwitz?


They are in a carriage with few people in it with nice seats and the Jews are all crowded in and left standing. These two extremely different trains are side by side.


10. What is Bruno's reason for not saying anything to the Jews on the crowded train? How is this a representation of the greater German population?
 
Bruno didn't say anything to the Jews on the train because he thought his mother or sister would be angry with him. This represents the German population because many thought what the Nazi's where doing to the Jews was wrong but they where too scared of them to do anything about it.

Holocaust Imagery - Hitler at a Nazi Rally

This is an image of a political rally in 1934, a staple of the Nazi regime. In your own blog post answer the questions below and include the image.

     1.  How are vectors used in this image? What effect does it have?

The vectors are used to highlight Hitler, you can also see his army. It gives an awe inspiring affect. Even though you know that they killed thousands of innocent people you can't help being shocked at the magnitude of people following such an unjust cause

     2.  Describe the composition of the image and what is tells us about the Nazis and Hitler.

It shows pretty much all of the Nazi's with a narrow stretch down the middle for people of importance. It shows that the Nazi's themselves weren't as important but Hitler and his chosen leaders where.

     3.  How is symmetry used? What effect does it have?

Symmetry is used as on each side of the isle there are men neatly lined up with the ones closest to the centre are holding flags with the Nazi's symbol on them. Even in the background you can see some men in the isle being symmetrical. Everything is symmetrical except Hitler which makes you instantly look towards him.

     4.  What effect does this picture being in black and white have?

It takes out the emotion. With colour there is anger, joy and sorrow. Here there is none because it is harder to portray emotion without colours.

     5.  Discuss the use of line in this image. What effect does it have?

The one consistent line in this image is the carpet. It makes it appear that anyone walking upon it must be important. It's also very geometrical.