The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

We are reading the novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne. While reading we discuss the book and do writing assignments.

Here is a plan for what to do in this reading project. You might have to read at home if you don't have time to finish the reading during lessons. If you miss a lesson you can easily see what to do and make sure you won't fall behind.Here´s a You-tube link to the audiobook in case you want to both listen and follow the text.

Boy in the Striped Pajamas Audiobook - YouTube

Lesson plan Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 

 

Week	Tuesday (50min	Wednesday (50 min)	Thursday (60min)
34			We start reading The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne, p 1-10 and discuss the questions to chapter 1 together in class.
35	Read pages 11-54	Read pages 11-54	Discussion 1
36	Read pages 55-95	Read pages 55-95	Discussion 2
37	Read pages 96-133	Read pages 96-133	Discussion 3
38	Read pages 134-175	Read pages 134-175	Discussion 4
39	Read the rest of the book	Read the rest of the book	Start to write tthe book report
40	Continue your book report	Finish your book report

 

Discussion 1 

• How does Bruno's mother react to the move? 

• Describe the relationship between Gretel and Bruno. 

• Describe the differences between the old home and the new home. How does their garden differ from the environment behind the fence? Use quotes! 

• What feelings and reactions does this part of the book evoke in you? 
   

 

Discussion 2 

• What do you think about Bruno's father? Describe him. Use quotes!  

• Who is Lieutenant Kotler? What is Bruno's opinion about him?  

• What does Bruno find out about Pavel? 

• Why do you think Bruno’s mother took credit for something she hadn’t done? 

 

Discussion 3 

• Why did Bruno's Grandmother storm out from the party? 

• What does Mister Liszt think is of importance to learn in school? 

• Describe the boy Bruno meets. Use quotes! 

• What does the uniform that Bruno's father is wearing symbolize? 

• Why are all explorations banned at Out-With, with no exceptions? 

 

Discussion 4 

• What does Schmuel tell about his life before he came to Out-With? 

• Bruno thinks that he and Schmuel are in the same position, why? 

• Why and how does the atmosphere change at the dinner when Lieutenant Kotler tells about his dad? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Podcast: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Striped Pyjamas - podcast questions.docx

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Part 3

Discuss in groups. Take notes in your notebook.

1. Why did Bruno's Grandmother storm out from the party?
2. What does Mister Liszt think is of importance to learn in school?
3. Describe the boy Bruno meets. Use quotes!
4. What does the uniform that Bruno's father is wearing symbolize?
5. Why are all explorations banned at Out-With, with no exceptions?

Extra discussion chapter 12-14

1. Why is it impossible for Bruno to understand what is going on around him, even when Shmuel tries to explain to him? Do you think this is believable?
2. What do the fragments of conversation between Bruno's parents reveal about the move to Out-With?
3. Why do you think Bruno's father is concerned about Lieutenant Kotler's family history?
4. Why do you think the author leave Pavel's punishment up to the reader's imagination rather than describing in detail what Lieutenant Kotler does to him?
5. If you were Shmuel, would you be as patient with Bruno when he fails to understand just how bad conditions are in the camp? Why do you think that Shmuel does not try harder to correct his friend's outrageous statements?

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Final

Obligatory:

Discuss the moral or message of the novel. What new insights and understandings does John Boyne want the reader to gain from reading this story?

What is the theme of the story? What details in this story support the theme?

Choose at least two of the following questions:

The book is written in the point of view of Bruno. Why do you think the author has chosen to do that? What effect does it give to the story that it is written from the point of view of a child?

Bruno asks his father about the people outside their house at Auschwitz. His father answers, “They’re not people at all Bruno.” (p. 53) Discuss the horror of this attitude. How does his father’s statement make Bruno more curious about Out-With?

Explain what Bruno’s mother means when she says, “We don’t have the luxury of thinking.” (p. 13) Identify scenes from the novel where Bruno’s mother isn’t happy about their life at Out-With. Debate whether she is unhappy being away from Berlin, or whether she is angry about her husband’s position. How does Bruno’s grandmother react to her son’s military role?

When Bruno dresses in the filthy striped pyjamas, he remembers something his grandmother once said. “You wear the right outfit and you feel like the person you’re pretending to be.” (p, 205) How is this true for Bruno? What about his father?

Questions to chapter 1-5

Chapter 2

1. Describe Bruno’s old house in Berlin (using the description from this chapter).

2. Describe Bruno’s new house.

3. How long did mother tell Bruno the family would be staying at their new house?

4. What does Bruno think of his father’s job?

5. Describe the young soldier Bruno sees on the stairs.

6. Why doesn’t Bruno like the young soldier?

7. How does Bruno feel when he looks out his window?

Chapter 3

1. Describe Gretel, Bruno’s sister.

2. How well do Gretel and her friends treat Bruno?

3. What was a constant disappointment to Bruno?

4. What is the name of their new house?

5. What is the reason for the name of the house?

6. During their conversation, what did Bruno say that surprised Gretel?

Chapter 4

1. Describe the view from Bruno’s window.

2. Where does Gretel think they are?

3. Why doesn’t Bruno agree with Gretel about her explanation?

4. How were the soldiers treating the children?

5. Why are the children they see NOT the type of children that Gretel would hang out with?

6. Describe the people in the camp.

Chapter 5

1. Was Bruno’s mother happy to leave Berlin?.

2-3. How does Bruno feel when he sees father with the other soldiers?

4. What is the only reason that Bruno has ever been in Father’s office?

5. Why does Bruno go in to his father’s office?

6. Describe Father’s office.

7. What is a home according to Father?

8. What is the reason that Bruno thinks is the reason for the family moving?

9. When Bruno asks about the people he can see from his window, what is Father’s explanation?

Discussion 4 - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Discuss these questions in groups

1. What does Schmuel tell about his life before he came to Out-With?
2. Bruno thinks that he and Schmuel are in the same position, why?
3. Why and how does the atmosphere change at the dinner when Lieutenant Kotler tells about his dad?

Discussion 1 - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Discuss these questions in groups.

After your discussion, answer the questions in writing individually.

1. How does Bruno's mother react to the move? Give examples from the book.
2. Describe the relationship between Gretel and Bruno. Give examples from the book.
3. Describe the differences between the old home and the new home. How does their garden differ from the environment behind the fence? Use quotes!
4. What feelings and reactions does this part of the book evoke in you? Elaborate your answer.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - Part 2

Answer these questions in writing:

• What do you think about Bruno's father? Describe him. Use quotes! 
• Who is Lieutenant Kotler? What is Bruno's opinion about him? 
• What does Bruno find out about Pavel?
• Why do you think Bruno’s mother took credit for something she hadn’t done?

Research: The Second World War and Hitler

Boy in Striped Pajamas_ Research.docx

Groups for the research assignment