In John Boyne's novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, an important relationship is the one between Bruno and Shmuel. Bruno and Shmuel are two boys who live in two different worlds but as they become friends they learn more about how each other lives. Bruno and Shmuel's friendship in the book helped me to understand a key message, which is about the devastating impact of war
At the beginning of the book Bruno is unaware of the true horrors of the war and the holocaust. He lived in Berlin with his friends and family However when his father was promoted to a position at Auschwitz. Bruno is forced to move to a new home far away from everything he knows and loves. Bruno hates his new home so much he thought "not even the insects would ever choose to stay at Out-With.”
It is at his new home Auschwitz Bruno spots the camp. Bruno decides to go and explore the camp; this is where Bruno meets Shmuel. Shmuel is a jewish boy that is imprisoned by this camp and is forced to wear striped pyjamas "Bruno was sure that he had never seen a skinnier or sadder boy in his life but decided that he had better talk to him."
Despite the fact they are separated by the fence and the war they still manage to be friends playing games and sharing stories. And dream of the future where they can be free and live in peace together.
However The novel takes a tragic turn as Bruno and Shmuels friendship is cut short by the brutal reality of the holocaust as Bruno's life is cut short. Bruno is killed in the gas chamber and Shmuel is left alone to grieve the loss of his friend and the other victims of the holocaust.
In conclusion Bruno and Shmuel's friendship in the boy in striped pyjamas Is a powerful and moving portal of love and compassion even in the darkest times. Their friendship did not have boundaries, despite the physical boundary of a fence.
