In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, what is Bruno's worldview and how has it changed?

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Bruno's inclusive and respectful worldview is strikingly consistent throughout the narrative.


Bruno's view of the world shows that people matter.  From his friends back in Berlin to Shmuel, the need for people is a very important component to his worldview.  Bruno validates people in profound ways, such as his friendship to Shmuel.  He also does this in small ways, such as when he validates Hitler's girlfriend as a...

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Bruno's inclusive and respectful worldview is strikingly consistent throughout the narrative.


Bruno's view of the world shows that people matter.  From his friends back in Berlin to Shmuel, the need for people is a very important component to his worldview.  Bruno validates people in profound ways, such as his friendship to Shmuel.  He also does this in small ways, such as when he validates Hitler's girlfriend as a nice lady.  Bruno's worldview is not politically intentional.  Rather, he simply treats people as he would want to be treated.  


Bruno's worldview emphasizes the need to atone for mistakes.  He understands that errors in judgment may happen.  Yet, figuring out how to make mistakes right is a significant part of what human beings should do.  He rectifies his mistakes such as with Pavel or Maria, and understands that he erred in letting Shmuel get abused from Kotler.  In these cases, Bruno is quick to make amends.  It is why Bruno is so loyal to Shmuel, even in the darkest and scariest of moments. Bruno's worldview towards people remains consistent throughout the novel.


Another aspect of Bruno's worldview is to represent what is right and decent. Bruno approaches the moral complexities within the Holocaust with a stark sense of ethical clarity.  He wants to be nice.  It is why he has such a disdain for Kotler.   Additionally, when "The Fury" comes to dinner, Bruno is not pleased with the way he orders Eva Braun and snaps his fingers at her.  Bruno's worldview affirms respect and he does not like it when others are disrespected.  It is why he sees the people at "Out-With" as simply the people "in the striped pajamas." Bruno's inability to call them prisoners or even "Jews" shows how he sees them as people.  Showing respect to people is a significant aspect of his worldview that is very consistent throughout the narrative.    

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