The Boy In The Striped Pajamas Research Paper

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Recommended: Narrative about the holocaust

The Holocaust fable The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is a popular novel often read by young children all around the world. Published in over 50 languages and over 7 million copies sold, it can be assumed that the young readers enjoy it (Jeffers). What they may or may not know is The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is about more than a nine year old separated by a fence from his friend. Boyne included many hints that it is really about the Holocaust, which isn’t hard to figure out. Unfortunately, he wrote in such a style that hides that fact from us, resulting in readers having to make inferences. Why Boyne would do this is questionable along with why he would write it as a fable and devote it to children, make Bruno so naïve, and be extremely historically inaccurate. These flaws in Boyne’s writing lead me to believe that this book should be used as a tool to teach about the trepidations of the Holocaust.
One reason why The Boy in the Striped Pajamas should not be used in historical teaching of the Holocaust is the writing style itself. In an interview with Teenreads.com, John Boyne says that he didn’t give a thought to the feedback he may have received until the novel was accepted for …show more content…

He pronounces Auschwitz and ‘Out-With’, has no idea that there is a war raging around him, and doesn’t know the difference between Jews and himself. A nine year old boy, son of a Commandant, should not be in the dark to this extent. One would be asking questions, putting two and two together, and simply just smarter. Asked about this, Boyne explains, “I feel...that Bruno’s innocence and ignorance are not only crucial to the story, but but appropriate…[at] times, to.” (“Author Interview…”) Bruno’s ‘innocence’ is most certainly not appropriate when dealing with such an important matter as the Holocaust. It frustrates and infuriates readers at times, distracting them from the themes it tries to

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