Think about a NOVEL or SHORT STORY you have studied.
- Name the Novel OR Short Story
- Describe the opening of the novel or short story
- Describe how a character changed in a GOOD or BAD way by the end of the novel or short story
(20 marks)
I studied the novel “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” by Irish author, John Boyne. The story is set during World War Two. It is about a young German boy called Bruno. Bruno makes friends with Shmuel. Shmuel is Jewish and is an inmate of Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
In the beginning of the novel, Bruno comes home to find Maria, the family maid, packing his clothes into wooden crates. Bruno and his family have to move from their home in Berlin to “Out-With”. They have to move because “The Fury” came to visit. He gave Bruno’s Dad a promotion. “Out-With” is what Bruno calls Auschwitz Concentration Camp and ”The Fury” is really Hitler. Bruno’s Dad is given the job of running the concentration camp. Bruno is very unhappy and angry about moving away from his three best friends and his grandparents.
Bruno doesn’t change that much during the novel. He never really understands who “The Fury” is or what bad things go on in the concentration camp. However, Bruno does learn a lesson after he lies to Lieutenant Kotler and pretends he never saw Shmuel before. He knows that he did the wrong thing and got his friend into trouble. Lieutenant Kotler beats Shmuel for stealing chicken at Bruno’s house. Bruno gave Shmuel the food to eat. In the end, Bruno realises he made a mistake. He says he is sorry and Shmuel forgives him. I think this shows Bruno changes in a good way during the novel.