The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

John Boyne’s novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, set in 1943, emphasises perspective to challenge and critically shape the audience’s views on the period surrounding the Holocaust during World War II. Through a multitude of language techniques involving contrast, foreshadowing and characterisation, this novel focuses on two extremely similar, yet different young boys whose unlikely fates entwine. Boyne’s novel skilfully views both contrasting perspectives, whilst cultivating a touching, heartbreaking fable surrounding themes of violence, innocence and friendship.

Boyne expresses the theme of violence and perspective through contrasting characters and personalities. This successfully highlights the differences between significant world issues versus Bruno’s insignificant problems. The contrast
Boyne expresses perspective through the theme of friendship and characterisation throughout the novel. “I’m very sorry, Shmuel,” ‘I can’t believe I didn’t tell him the truth…” and “You’re my best friend. My best friend for life,” further confirms Bruno’s naivety, apologetic and friendly character. The similar characteristics of Shmuel and Bruno are what makes their friendship blossom and becomes inseparable. The portrayals of their perspectives are different- Bruno being ignorant and brash whilst Shmuel is seen as the more mature character. They have been through such different experiences of different extremities yet they ended up with the same ending. Boyne cultivated and heavily challenged original thoughts that such conflicting perspectives are often barriers when bonding with friends and instead showed the power and capability of friendships. Perspectives on friendship were changed, as it is to such great lengths that people go to in order to maintain a stable relationship. Due to the previous statements, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas successfully expresses, challenges and shapes