Boy in the Striped PJ's Chapter 7

How is the mother's defence of Herr Roller entirely ironic? Mother says in his defence, "You shouldn't laugh at poor Herr Roller, you have no idea what he's been through in his life." This is extremely ironic as in the way she is sticking up for Herr it is actually extremely similar case to that of the Jews. It is obvious that the Jews had a life before they were put in the striped pajamas and she is sticking up for Herr. This just shows that the Jews and Germans and not too different and that the wife of a Nazi General is sticking up for someone who is just like a Jew.

What role does Kotler represent historically in the novel? (think beyond being a soldier) I think that it means in a deeper sense that it describe Kotler as being tall, blonde, blue eyed and strong. This was supposedly the 'Aryan' race which was essentially the Nazi's way of saying perfect. This shows the stereotypical way that the Nazi Germans were depicted as in these days by the other countries and what Hitler was striving to achieve. Kotler was an 'Aryan'.

What character is Kotler juxtaposed with in this chapter? What effect does it have on understanding each of these characters? He is the stereotypical Nazi, he has demeanor and is always looking down on people thinknig that he is very superior which was a typical Nazi trait. He is an example and model of the Nazi soldiers he loved what he did and was a very cruel guy. 

How would you compare the interaction Bruno has with Pavel to all the other interactions Bruno has had with adults? Pavel is obviosuly very different to the other adults that Bruno talks to. Pavel is one of the only adult if not the only that actually listens to him and lets him talk. Bruno asks questions and Pavel answers immediately. Pavel is also one of the only adults that Bruno can confidently talk to and speak his mind, he would not have been so blunt as to say, "How do you know? Your not a doctor?" to anyone but Pavel and this shows that Bruno trusts him. Pavel also is the only adult that takes notice of Bruno's love of exploring. He seems quite interested and likes to talk with Bruno as he cannot talk the same way with anyone else. When talking about Bruno's exploring Pavel asks, "Have you discovered anything?", this shows Pavel's interest in Bruno's childhood.

Why is juxtaposition a key technique employed in Holocaust texts? How has it been used in The Boy in the Striped PJ's? You have the really strong powerful Nazi's and on the other side you have the weak and defenseless Jews. Which shows that Juxtaposition is a key motif in the Boy in the striped Pajamas's text when talking about the lving conditions and other historical things throughout the Holocaust. Bruno uses Juxtaposition when describing the two housing situations which shows the living conditions of the Nazi's are extremely different to those of the Jewish people. The Jews are living in what Bruno and Gretel describe as being 'Huts' on a 'sand like substance', whereas the Nazi's live in Grand houses and live with the finest foods and delicacies.