1The boy in the striped pyjamas, Class III, oct-dec 09

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‘Lines may divide us, but hope will unite us’

Trailer

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John Boyne (born 30 April 1971 in Dublin) is an Irish novelist.He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia[1], where he was awarded the Curtis Brown prize. But it was during his time at Trinity that he began to get published. To pay his way at that stage of his career, he worked at Waterstone's, typing up his drafts by night. John Boyne is the author of seven novels, as well as a number of short stories which have been published in various anthologies and broadcast on radio and television.His novels are published in over 40 languages. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which to date has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide, is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and a film adaptation was released in September 2008. Boyne resides in Dublin. He is represented by the literary agent Simon Trewin at United Agents in London, United Kingdom.

The author

Interview

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Cover 1 Cover 2 Cover 3

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Chapters 1 and 2

In groups develop and answer the following questions:

Group 1:• Show how Bruno is a naïve boy• How does his mother protect him from

the truth?

Group 2: • Describe the rules at Bruno’s home• What clues can we find about his

father’s job?

Group 3:• What kind of war signs can we see?• Show that Bruno’s mother is not very

satisfied with the situation?

Group 4: • Compare the house in Berlin

and the new house?• Compare Maria (the maid)

and the new servants

Group 5: • What are Bruno’s reactions in

the new house?• What is Bruno’s attitude

towards the new people?

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Chapters 1 and 2

Explain the meaning of these sentences:

« We don’t have the luxury of thinking. » (p.13)

« We can chalk it up to experience » (p.14)

« We have to make the best of a bad situation. » (p.14)

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Chapter 3

Answer the questions:

1. Why is Gretel a ‘Hopeless Case’?2. What kind of a boy is Bruno?3. What good thing does Bruno find in staying there?4. Why does Bruno feel a little relieved?5. What name does Gretel give to the house?6. Does Gretel know why the house is called like this?7. What can Bruno see from the window?

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Chapter 4

Extract Everywhere they looked they could see people, tall, short, old, young, all moving around. Some stood perfectly still in groups, their hands by their sides, trying to keep their heads up, as a soldier marched in front of them, his mouth opening and closing quickly as if he were shouting something at them. Some were formed into a sort of chain gang and pushing wheelbarrows from one side of the camp to the other, appearing from a place out of sight and taking their wheelbarrows further along behind a hut, where they disappeared again.

Emphasizes the number of prisoners

Means all kind of people

Suggests distress or traumaPassivity

Weakness?

Suggests agression and dominance

Like prisoners

Reader and Bruno wonder why

Mystery

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A few stood near the huts in quiet groups, staring at the ground as if it was the sort of game where they didn’t want to be spotted. Others were on crutches and many had bandages around their heads. Some carried spades and were being led by groups of soldiers to a place where they could no longer be seen. (page 36)

Boredom? Fear? Hopelessness?

Irony (reader knows it’s not a game)

Emphasizes peopl’s weak and sick condition

Again we wonder whyMysterious

Premonition

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‘Look over there,’ said Bruno, and Gretel followed the direction of

the finger he was pointing and saw, emerging from a hut in the

distance, a group of children huddled together and being

shouted at by a group of soldiers. The more they were shouted

at, the closer they huddled together, but then one of the soldiers

lunged towards them and they separated and seemed to do

what he wanted them to do all along, which was to stand in a

single line. When they did, the soldiers all started to laugh and

applaud them.

Chapter 4

In a pair, make notes on the following extract, underline which words or phrases hint at danger

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Chapters 4-5

In groups try to produce a ‘bird-eye’ map

of the house and camp of the father’s office

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Bruno is talking to his father in his office: point out the key elements of the conversation. (p44-54)

Chapters 5

Write a text with the key elements, summurizing the conversation

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‘I think that Bruno’s innocence is the most effective part of the story. It’s most powerful when you know he’s misunderstood something (like the Nazi salute) and you yourself know what it really means. To me, that’s very clever of John Boyne.’Nadia, 14, Stafford

‘I think that some of the conversations which Gretel and Bruno have at the beginning are a bit unbelievable. After all, Gretel is supposed to be one of the brightest pupils in her class and she thinks at the beginning that Out-With is their holiday home!’Jack, 12, Glasgow

Through the eyes of a child

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John Boyne says:

This is perhaps the question I have been asked the most about this novel and I feel very strangely that Bruno’s innocence and ignorance are not only crucial to the story, but appropriate to the times,too…When the war ended and the camps were liberated, the world was shocked by what they learned. But it had been going on gor years. Purely in terms of my novel however, I satnd by my belief that Bruno is an innocent child in a time and in a place that he does not understand

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Chapters 6

- Wonder what he… how he can…- How he can what?

p. 62

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Chapter 6

Bruno was lying on the bed

He imagined there were insects in the ceiling

It made much more sense than talking to himself

Don’t you hate it too?

I’m not sure whether your father would like it

When I make mistakes I get punished

You must never say something like that about your father

Your father took me in and helped me when I needed him.

My mother knew your father when he was just a boy of your age.

He has a lot of kindness in his soul, which makes me wonder…

I’m only saying what I feel. I’m allowed to do that, aren’t I?

Bruno felt an overwhelming urge to cry

Put the sentences in the correct order:

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Chapter 6

Bruno was lying on the bed

He imagined there were insects in the ceiling

It made much more sense than talking to himself

Don’t you hate it too?

I’m not sure whether your father would like it

When I make mistakes I get punished

You must never say something like that about your father

Your father took me in and helped me when I needed him.

My mother knew your father when he was just a boy of your age.

He has a lot of kindness in his soul, which makes me wonder…

I’monly saying what I feel. I’m allowed to do that, aren’t I?

Bruno felt an overwhelming urge to cry

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Chapters 7 - 8

How does the writer suggest through his words here that Brunos father is just ‘playing’ at being a Commandant?

On Christmas Day Father wore his brand-new uniform, the starched and pressed one that he wore every day now, and the whole family applauded when he first appeared in it…

Grandmother was the only one who seemed unimpressed…

‘I wonder – is this where I went wrong with you, Ralf?… I wonder if all the performances I made you give as a boy led you to this. Dressing up like a puppet on a string.’ (page 90)

What does this suggest about Bruno’s father?

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Chapters 7 - 8

Clothes and Status

Exploring your characterMake notes on the following things. Describe the person’s clothes or any other aspects of their physical appearance. 

 Think of 3 adjectives that describe their general behaviour, e.g. happy, proud, quiet.  How do other people treat them?  What does the writer suggest about the person or people underneath the appearance? How does he do this? 

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Chapters 7 - 8

KotlerOn most days the young lieutenant looked very smart, striding around in a uniform that appeared to have been ironed while he was wearing it. His black boots always sparkled with polish and his yellow-blond hair was parted at the side and held perfectly in place with something that made all the comb marks stand out in it, like a field that had just been tilled. Also, he wore so much cologne that you could smell him coming from quite a distance. Bruno had learned not to stand downwind of him or he would risk fainting away. … He looked so much younger today that Bruno was surprised; in fact he reminded him of the big boys at school, the ones he always steered clear of. (Pages 71–72)

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Chapters 7 - 8

FatherDown below he saw the door to Father’s office standing open and a group of five men outside it, laughing and shaking hands. Father was at the centre of them and looked very smart in his freshly pressed uniform. His thick dark hair had obviously been recently lacquered and combed, and as Bruno watched from above he felt both scared and in awe of him. He didn’t like the look of the men quite as much. They certainly weren’t as handsome as Father. Nor were their uniforms as freshly pressed. Nor were their voices so booming or their boots so polished…Father held a hand in the air, which immediately caused the other men to fall silent. It was as if he was the conductor of a barbershop quartet. (Pages 42–43)

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Chapters 7 - 8

PavelThen he caught sight of Pavel – the old man who came every afternoon to help peel the vegetables in the kitchen for dinner before putting his white jacket on and serving at the table…(Page 75) Pavel came towards them and Kotler spoke to him insolently, despite the fact that he was young enough to be his grandson. ‘Take this little man to the storage shed at the back of the main house. Lined up along a side wall are some old tyres. He will select one and you are to carry it wherever he asks you to, is that understood?’

Pavel held his cap before him in his hands and nodded, which made his head bow even lower than it already was. ‘Yes, sir,’ he said in a quiet voice, so quiet that he may not even have said it at all.

‘And afterwards, when you return to the kitchen, make sure you wash your hands before touching any of the food, you filthy–’(Page 76) 

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Bruno had no idea what Pavel meant but something about what he had said made him look at him closely for the first time. He was quite a small man, and very skinny too, with long fingers and angular features. He was older than Father but younger than Grandfather, which still meant he was quite old, and although Bruno had never laid eyes on him before coming to Out-With, something about his face made him believe that he had worn a beard in the past.(Pages 82–83)

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Maria…he looked across at Maria and realized for the first time that he had never fully considered her to be a person with a life and a history all of her own. After all, she had never done anything (as far as he knew) other than be his family’s maid. He wasn’t even sure that he had ever seen her dressed in anything other than her maid’s uniform. But when he came to think of it, as he did now, he had to admit that there must be more to her life than just waiting on him and his family. She must have thoughts in her head, just like him. She must have things that she missed, friends whom she wanted to see again, just like him. And she must have cried herself to sleep every night since she got here, just like boys far less grown up and brave than him.(Pages 60–61)

‘Run me a bath, Maria, will you?’ she asked.‘Why can’t you run your own bath?’ snapped Bruno.‘Because she’s the maid,’ said Gretel, staring at him. ‘That’s what she’s

here for.’‘That’s not what she’s here for,’ shouted Bruno… ‘She’s not just here to

do things for us all the time, you know. Especially things that we can do ourselves.’

Gretel stared at him as if he had gone mad and then looked at Maria, who shook her head quickly. (Page 63)

Chapters 7 - 8

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The Jewish prisonersSome stood perfectly still in groups, their hands by their sides, trying to

keep their heads up, as a soldier marched in front of them, his mouth opening and closing quickly as if he were shouting something at them.(Page 36) And one final thought came into her brother’s head as he watched the hundreds of people in the distance going about their business, and that was the fact that all of them – the small boys, the big boys, the fathers, the grandfathers, the uncles, the people who lived on their own on everybody’s road but didn’t seem to have any relatives at all – were wearing the same clothes as each other: a pair of grey striped pyjamas with a grey striped cap on their heads.(Page 38)

Chapters 7 - 8

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Chapter 9

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Chapters 10

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Chapter 11Father saluted them and ushered them inside, where Maria, her head bowed even lower than usual, took their coats and the introductions were made.

They spoke to Mother first, which gave Bruno an opportunity to stare at their guests and decide for himself whether they deserved all the fuss being made of them.

She had blonde hair and very red lips, and while the Fury spoke to Mother she turned and looked at Bruno and smiled, making him go red with embarrassment.

‘And these are my children, Fury,’ said Father as Gretel and Bruno stepped forward. ‘Gretel and Bruno.’

‘And which is which?’ the Fury said, which made everyone laugh except for Bruno, who thought it was perfectly obvious which was which and hardly cause for a joke.

‘And I can speak French too,’ she added, which was not strictly speaking true…‘Yes, but why would you want to?’ asked the Fury, and this time no one laughed; instead they shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot and Gretel stared at him, unsure whether he wanted an answer or not.

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Freeze the scenes in a way that reveals the thoughts and feelings of the characters:

Consider:

• The angle of the body and the placing of arms and legs• Facial expression• Direction of the eyes• Use of props such as chairs and tables• Whether the character should appear relaxed or tensed• The use of height to show status

Chapter 11

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Chapter 12

Jewish music Auschwitz

Two brothers struggle to survive the Holocaust

Music to go with chapter 12music

Bruno’s and Shmuel’s journey to Out-With

• Gather evidence from the text to compare Brunos and Shmuel’s journey

Check page 129 for Shmuel and page 41 for Bruno• Highlight the adjectives.• Find out the feeling and atmosphere

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Chapter 13Something inside (So strong) by Labi Siffre The higher you build your barriersThe __________ I becomeThe farther you take my _________ awayThe _________ I will runYou can deny meYou can ________ to turn your face away No matter, cos there’s…  Something inside so strongI know that I can make itTho’ you’re doing me ______, so _______You thought that my _________ was goneOh no, there’s something inside so strongOh oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

The more you ________ to hear my voice The louder I will ___________You hide behind walls of JerichoYour lies will come tumbling

Deny my place in timeYou squander (gaspiller) ______ that’s mineMy light will shine so brightlyIt will blind youBecause there’s…Something inside so strong I know I can make itTho’ you’re doing me ______, so _______You thought that my _________ was goneOh no, there’s something inside so strongOh oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong Brothers and sistersWhen they ______ we’re just not good enough Well we know betterJust look ‘em in the __________ and sayWe’re gonna do it ___________We’re gonna do it _________, because there’s… Something inside so strong

rights

taller

pride

faster

decide

wrongwrong

wrong wrong

pride

refuse

sing

wealth

insist

eyes

anywayanyway

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Chapter 15

Bruno doesn’t like Lieutnant Kotler because:

• Kotler never smiles• tries to find somebody to cut out• jokes and laughs with his mother• shot a dog• angry, aggressive with Pavel• when father is absent he acts as if he is in charge

Read second part of this chapter and using dialogues and the exact situation of each character (Bruno – Kotler / Bruno – Schmuel / Bruno – Schmuel / Kotler)

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Chapter 15

Shmuel,

How did you feel the first time you met Bruno? CuriousHappyConfused

How did you feel when he suggested you should come to his house for dinner?PleasedAfraidNot conviced it was a

good idea

How did you feel when Bruno pretended not knowing you?SadTerrifiedDisappointed

Answer and find evidence to back up your choice!

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Chapter 16

Summary in three steps:

back to Berlin

Gretel tries to show reality

Bruno looks like Shmuel

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Chapter 16

After reading this chapter explain these sentences:

• His memories of life in Berlin had almost faded away (p 175)

• Grandmother would turn in her grave if she knew it was there (p 176)

• His (Lt Kotler) departure had come about very suddenly (p177)

• Bruno started to think more and more about the two sides of the fence (p178)

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Chapter 17

Mother’s letter

Stage 1Ask Mother about her thoughts and feelings:

• Do you think this place has a good effect on your children?• …

Think about some more questions to ask and take notes of the answers

Stage 2Use your notes to write a letter from Mother to a friend in Berlin telliing of her relief that she will soon be returning home.

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Your notesHow does Mother feel about living at Out-With?  What kind of words does Mother use to describe Out-With?  What is Mother’s attitude to her children’s life at Out-With? How can you tell?  What does Mother feel about returning to Berlin?  What are Mother’s plans and hopes for the future?

 Record below any further things which Mother says or ideas which you could use in your letter (remember that you will need to use your own words).

Chapter 17

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Dear Gerta, It is so long since I have written to you, I know. I have been so fed up and miserable here, but now I have wonderful news! Ralf has agreed to… Living at Out-With has been... One of the reasons I am pleased to be returning is of course the children. Mainly because… When I get back to Berlin, I plan to… Can’t wait to get back to Berlin and see you. I will call as soon as I’m home. Kindest good wishes, Marta

Chapter 17Use this scaffold to help you write the letter

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also anyway consequently finally , eventuallyfurthermorehowever indeed insteadlikewise meanwhile moreover nevertheless nextotherwise still then therefore thus

aussi, égalementde toute façon c’est pourquoi finalement de plustoutefoisen faitau lieu dede même, égalementpendant ce temps de plus, en outre néanmoins Ensuiteautrement, sinonEncoreEnsuitedonc, par conséquentpar conséquent

Connecting wordsAdverbs

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Connecting wordsConjunctions

after although as as …as as if as though because before even ifeven though how if in case [that] in order that no matter how

once provided [that] since so that supposing [that] though unless untilwhether …orwhile

après quebien quealors queaussi … quecomme sicomme siparce queavant quemême simême sique, commeSiau cas oùpour quepeu importe comment

une fois queà condition quedepuis quepour queà supposé queQuoiqueà moins quejusqu’à ce quesoit…soitpendant que

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after all  as a result  at any rate at the same time by the way  even so  for example  in addition in fact  in other words  on the contrary  on the other hand 

Connecting wordsTransitional phrases

après tout  en conclusion de toute façonen même temps a propos  de même  par example  en plus in fait  en d’autres termes au contraire d’un autre côté