Gretel is initially surprised when Bruno tells her about his imaginary friend, Shmuel. She is skeptical that this friend may not be real, but she doesn’t outright disagree with him because she can tell that Bruno really believes in him.
As such, she decides to play along and chooses to pretend to believe him. She asks questions about Shmuel, such as what he looks like, what they do together, and even if he ever talks to her. Ultimately, Gretel’s reaction was understanding and full of support for her brother, choosing to let him have his own little fantasy.
Table of Contents
What does Bruno realize when he tells Gretel about his imaginary friend?
When Bruno tells Gretel about his imaginary friend, he comes to the realization that his imaginary friend is actually a way for him to cope with his loneliness. When he talks to Gretel about his friend, he is able to open up and speak about his true feelings of missing his family and having no one to talk to.
In addition to this, Bruno realizes that his friend is something he can turn to when he is feeling lonely and he can talk to his friend when he has no one else. He also starts to realize that creating a imaginary friend to help him cope with his situation is something he can do whenever he is feeling isolated and alone.
What do we learn about Shmuel through Bruno telling Gretel about what his imaginary friend talks about?
Through Bruno’s descriptions of his imaginary friend Shmuel, we learn that he is a kind and thoughtful young boy who is very interested in the world around him. He loves to listen to Bruno and shares his own knowledge and experiences with Bruno, including stories about his experiences in the camp.
We also learn that Shmuel has a compassionate heart; he is deeply concerned about his family, both those still at the camp and those who had been taken away. He cares for the animals in the camp and has a desire for knowledge, asking Bruno about his home and his family.
Overall, through these conversations between Bruno and Gretel, we learn that Shmuel is an intelligent, brave, and kind young boy who is determined to make the most of his life, despite the difficult circumstances he finds himself in.
What secret did Bruno accidentally tell Gretel?
Bruno accidentally told Gretel that their family was moving away from the area they had been living in. This was a secret that their parents had been keeping from them both, as they hadn’t yet told them where they were going.
Although it was a shock to Gretel when Bruno revealed this, she ultimately accepted the news. Despite this secret being accidentally revealed, Bruno and Gretel remained close throughout their journey to their new home.
What are the lesson you learned from the story of the boy in the striped pajamas?
The story of the boy in the striped pajamas taught a number of lessons. One of the most important lessons from the story is how easily prejudice can be accepted as normal. Bruno, the protagonist, has accepted the reality of the concentration camp for what it is – an evil place that his father works at, but does not understand the true horror of it.
This lack of understanding and prejudice is seen by numerous characters in the story, including Bruno’s family.
The story also emphasizes the importance of understanding and acceptance in order to recognize the humanity in others, even if they are from a different religion or culture. Despite being separated by a fence and unable to meet face-to-face, Bruno and Shmuel are able to become friends.
This demonstrates how friendship between people of different backgrounds can break down barriers and promote understanding.
The story also shows the value of bravery, something that Bruno and Shmuel both demonstrate when they decide to cross the fence to find the missing father. This teaches the lesson that, even in the face of danger and adversity, standing up and defending what is right can make a difference.
Finally, the story of the boy in the striped pajamas serves as a reminder of the importance of living life with a sense of adventure and possibility. Over the course of the story, Bruno’s outlook on life is transformed from being static and unhappy to having a sense of possibility and adventure.
This teaches readers that we should never lose hope and should always strive to look for adventure wherever we can.
What does Shmuel tell about his life before he came to out-with?
Before Shmuel came to Out-With, he lived in a small town in the Carpathian Mountains in Poland. He was born to a large family, with four other siblings and his parents. His family worked their own land to make a living, growing potatoes and other vegetables.
They also had some poultry and livestock. Growing up, Shmuel enjoyed helping his family with the chores and also spending time exploring the local area. He also loved learning and had a wonderful teacher in his local school, who encouraged him and his classmates to strive for greatness.
One day, tragedy struck his village and his parents and siblings were taken away by the Nazis. Desperate and alone, Shmuel made his way to the nearby concentration camp, Out-With. He had heard from other villagers about the horrors that were taking place there and wanted to find out what had happened to his family.
Once at Out-With, Shmuel hoped to find a way out and to also find out what had become of his loved ones. He was never able to do this, however, as he was held captive in the barracks and was forced to work long, hard hours.
Despite this, Shmuel never lost hope and he held onto the memories of his family and of his beloved home back in the Carpathian Mountains.
What does Bruno say that he and Shmuel discuss?
Bruno and Shmuel discuss a variety of topics, from family life and their favorite pastimes, to more serious issues such as their respective countries’ political systems. Bruno often tells Shmuel stories from his life experiences and his observations of the world around him.
On one such occasion, he told Shmuel about a shopkeeper who was very unkind to him and his family when they first came to the area. He also explained to Shmuel how different life is on the other side of the fence and how he misses being able to go outside and explore.
On other occasions, Bruno and Shmuel discussed more lighthearted topics, such as their favorite foods and family traditions. Shmuel shared his knowledge of Jewish culture and traditions, while Bruno shared stories from his own life and asked questions about what life is like in the camp.
Through these conversations, the two boys form a strong bond and come to appreciate the differences between them, while also commiserating on the unfortunate circumstances that have led them to this point.
What is the most important message about the boy in the striped pajamas?
The most important message about the boy in the striped pajamas is that hate and prejudice can lead to devastating consequences. Bruno, the protagonist in the novel, is an innocent boy who is unaware of the hate and prejudice that exists in Nazi Germany during World War II.
As he befriends another boy on the other side of the fence, named Shmuel, Bruno begins to learn the ugly realities of life in this time period. By the end of the novel, it’s clear that prejudices, fueled by hate, can lead to terrible consequences.
This message is an important one, as we live in a world that is still sometimes divided by ignorance and hatred.
How does Shmuel show innocence?
Shmuel demonstrates his innocence throughout The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by repeatedly acting out of ignorance and naivety. Shmuel is a Jewish boy who is separated from his family and endures a life of hardships in a concentration camp.
However, even in spite of his difficult circumstances, Shmuel consistently displays an innocent sense of optimism and kindness towards other people, including the two main characters.
For example, early in the story, Shmuel immediately values his friendship with Bruno, despite their different backgrounds and the fact that Bruno is a German. He never allows anything to come between the two of them and remains loyal to Bruno throughout the book, even though his parents warn him not to.
He also shows great compassion for others, comforting Bruno when he is distressed about being separated from his family, and offering support and advice whenever Bruno is struggling.
Further, Shmuel constantly misunderstands the reality of his situation and displays an overall innocence when it comes to comprehending the concentration camp. For instance, in several instances Shmuel refers to the “special showers” which are used as a coverup for the gas chambers.
He is completely unaware of the true purpose of these showers, yet the adults in the camp refuse to disclose the truth to him because of his age and his innocence. In addition, Shmuel is even unaware that he is considered different from the Germans and he does not realize why he is treated differently.
Overall, Shmel is an innocent character who is naive and oblivious to the true state of his situation. He shows genuine kindness, loyalty and friendship to those around him, even in spite of his difficult circumstances.
What does Bruno tell Gretel about Shmuel?
Bruno tells Gretel that he has been making friends with Shmuel, a Jewish boy who lives in the camp on the other side of the fence. He explains that although he and Shmuel cannot see each other through the fence due to its height, they pass items to each other through a small hole in it.
He also tells her that he and Shmuel have talked a lot and that they both still have family. He notes that despite being from different hostile countries, Shmuel understands him and they get along very well.
He expresses amazement at the fact that although their backgrounds could have dragged them apart, their common desire for friendship has brought them closer together. In the end, Bruno says that Shmuel is a great friend, despite the differences that exist between them.
What does Gretel actually see out Bruno’s window?
Gretel was looking out Bruno’s window when she saw some people walking by below. She noticed that they were dressed differently and were carrying large bundles on their backs. She also heard them speaking a language she didn’t understand.
The scene outside the window looked unfamiliar and unusual to her. When Bruno came over, he explained that they were a group of Jewish people who were being deported to a concentration camp. This was the first time Gretel was confronted with the horrible reality of Nazi Germany, and the experience left her with a deep sense of sadness and disbelief.
How does Gretel feel about Bruno?
Gretel cares deeply for her younger brother Bruno. She is protective of him and will defend him against anyone who bullies or teases him. She encourages him to play outside with her and take risks, but also looks out for him.
She often comforts him when he is scared and loves him enough to want to keep him safe. Additionally, Gretel listens to Bruno when he has something to say and loves him without conditions. She is patient, understanding, and often willing to put aside her own feelings and interests for that of her brother.
Overall, Gretel loves Bruno deeply and shows it in everything she does.
What does Gretel explain to Bruno in Chapter 16?
In Chapter 16, Gretel explains a variety of things to Bruno. After explaining the cruel treatment of the prisoners of Out-With, Gretel reveals that it is actually a concentration camp. She also reveals that both of them have been living in Germany and that the people living in Out-With are Jewish prisoners deported from various countries by the Nazis.
Finally, she tells Bruno that their family are actually Nazi officers in charge of the camp and that it is the place where those prisoners are being kept and worked to death. Gretel hides all of these facts from Bruno, because she doesn’t want him to understand what is truly going on at Out-With and realize how terrible their father’s job is.
As she tells him these things, she also warns him to not tell anyone what he has learned.
How does talking about Shmuel to Gretel help Bruno understand Shmuel?
Talking about Shmuel with Gretel helps Bruno understand Shmuel in a few different ways. First, through their conversations, Bruno can learn more about Shmuel’s background, what life was like on the other side of the fence, and his family.
This helps Bruno to better understand Shmuel as a person and the motivations behind his actions. Additionally, discussing Shmuel with someone else gives Bruno a space to voice his questions, feelings, and ideas without judgement.
By doing this, he is able to make sense of his experiences and feelings in a way that feels safe and trusting. In general, the conversations regarding Shmuel allow Bruno to engage with the topic in a more meaningful and reflective way.
As a result, he is able to better understand him, his thoughts, and the world around them.
