Boy in the Striped PJ's Chapter 14 Questions

1. What information do we get that makes the reader start to feel that he is becoming less innocent and more ignorant? Shmuel tells Bruno why they wear striped pyjamas and Bruno then complains to himself about how he doesn't get striped pyjamas and instead has to wear shirts, shorts and ties which makes the reader feel that Bruno understands why they have to wear striped pyjamas and aren't allowed to wear other clothes which is exactly like a prison but Bruno just thinks its unfair.

2. What is interesting about the weather and how does it relate to the overall emotion of this stage in the book? It is interesting because it starts to rain heavily outside and it doesn't stop which makes the setting seem sad and miserable which is sort of how the book is at the moment with Pavel becoming very weak and Shmuel being beaten inside the camp.

3. What does Bruno accidentally say to Gretel? Bruno accidentally says to Gretel "I hate the rain too, I should be with Shmuel by now. He'll think I've forgotten him".

4. Is Bruno able to consider Gretel's feelings? How do you know? Bruno is able to consider Gretel's feelings as he thinks that she too must feel bored at Auschwitz as all she has to do is rearrange her dolls when she would be able to play with her friends back in Berlin. He then feels that he should talk to Gretel as they are both bored.

5. What is it that motivates Bruno not to tell Gretel the truth? How does this portray Bruno as being selfish? Bruno is motivated to not tell Gretel the truth because he thinks that she may 'take' Shmuel from him and have him as her own friend. This portrays Bruno as being selfish because if they are both bored Gretel will want someone to talk to such as Shmuel.

6. What is it that Bruno realises when he starts recounting what Shmuel tells him? Why do you think that this is when he finally starts to realise what Shmuel is experiencing? Bruno realises how sad Shmuel's story was that he told Bruno about his grandfather not being able to be found within the camp. He finally starts to realise what Shmuel is experiencing because not only is he becoming less innocent and being able to understand what is happening but when he says it himself like its his own problem he is able to understand better rather than listening to someone else about their problems.

7. What is ironic and hypocritical about what Gretel tells Bruno regarding imaginary friends? It is ironic because Gretel basically has her own imaginary friends which are the dolls which she rearranges which is also hypocritical as well as she says imaginary friends are for young little kids but she is thirteen years old.