The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Movie Reflection Questions

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

1. What is an important message/moral in the movie and how did the director illustrate that message/moral?

The most important message in this movie was that we’re all the same where it really counts. The director explains this perfectly in the movie by using the two boys as the heart of the story. They’re two young kids on opposing sides of the battle, and it shows that on the inside, they’re still the same. The fact that they even make a relationship between the two of them shows just how strong their friendship was, and that even though Bruno was taught all the horrid things that were untrue about Jews, he still managed to look past that and see Shmuel for what he was.

2. What did you learn from this movie about WWII that you never knew about and was never discussed in class?

I learned that there were videos portraying what the concentration camps were like, but those videos were warped and very untrue. They were nothing like the actual concentration camps, and videos like that were shown to many Germans.

3. Which character did you most associate with and what about his or her actions make you think you would behave similarly?

I think I would mostly associate with the housekeeper Maria, because she seems to stay out of everyones business and stick to her task at hand. She’s also extremely kind to Bruno, and is always offering to help him with whatever he’s doing. Which I know is her job mostly, but she also seems to have a soft side for Bruno as well. I know I have a soft side for younger children usually.

4. Which scene did you find the most moving or inspiring and WHY?

The scene I found most inspiring was when Bruno meets up with Shmuel and begins to change into the striped pajamas. That scene really shows how powerful their friendship was, and Bruno didn't realize it but  he was literally giving everything up, his life included, when he crossed over.

5. Identify two themes that are illustrated in this movie and what scenes or situations illustrate those

One theme is the innocence of childhood. This is clearly demonstrated when Bruno doesn’t realize that his father is a part of all the horrible things that happen to Shmuel, and Shmuel doesn’t realize the severity of the situation he’s in because he doesn’t know where his father is even though it’s clear that he's being sent off to a gas chamber. Another theme explored is the idea of “us” vs “them”, shown in the whole Jews vs the Germans. This is clear when you see that children are being taught to hate the Jews and to think that they’re monsters and deserve to die.

6. Create a short, realistic alternate ending of the film that would change the whole message of the movie.

An alternate ending I can think of is if instead of Bruno going over to Shmuel's side, its vice versa. Shmuel goes over to Brunos side and it cuts off with them walking away into the woods. With an ending like that, where they both live happily would change the whole message. The message would instead be something like, “friendship overcomes all boundaries”.