Boy in the Striped PJ's Chapter 3

1. Describe how Bruno and Gretel's relationship is introduced in the chapter. We are told that Gretel is three years older than Bruno and he explains that 'she made it clear to him from as far back as he could remember. Seeing as it says that Bruno is nine this makes Gretel 12. It says that 'it would have made a lot more sense to leave Gretel behind in Berlin to look after the house because she was nothing but trouble.' Bruno also says that he doesn't like to admit it but he is secretly scared of his older sister. They obviously do not get along and you can tell this from only reading the first paragraph.
2. List quotes that show how the new house is described. Gretel agrees with Bruno and says, "I know what you mean, it's not very nice is it?" Bruno then says, "It's horrible." Bruno says, "I don't like it here." For the apparent 'hundredth time'. These two children obviously really do not like their new house called 'Out-with', but Gretel thinks that they will only be there for a couple if weeks (foreseeable future) and then they will be heading back home.
3. It was very hollow and he decided that he better not go jumping around this house too often or it might collapse around their ears. What is the significance of this quote? Although the quote is not entirely factual and the chances of the floor falling beneath him is very unlikely it does symbolize that he is again trying to put across that the house is a mess. He thinks that if he jumps around the house will be so flimsy as to collapse underneath him. He is just trying to put across how much he hates it and might be make a small joke on his behalf. His mother also said that they had to 'make the best of a bad situation', this might be what Bruno is trying to do is this scene. 
4. What is Bruno's reaction to the new house? He is upset that he has left his old house for this new, cold and boring house. He does not want to live here and obviously straight away regrets coming. He notices that there are no nooks and crannies for him to explore and the house is very dull. It also sounds like Bruno is finding it very hard to find games to play and things to do and being a child this is essential for Bruno. Bruno really does not like this house.
5. How does it compare to their old house? It is a lot colder, there are no people walking around outside laughing or walking very quickly. There are no stalls with fresh vegetables and nice smells. There are no neighboring houses. It is very dull and boring as there are no areas to explore in the house. There are no other children around to play with.
6. How does Gretel relate to her father? Obviously she talks to her father more than Bruno does as she has been asking how long they will be there and asking why they had to go and all these different questions about the house. She also said that he called the house 'Out-with' and this shows again that she talks to her father a lot more than Bruno does.
7. Does Bruno understand where they are? What makes you believe this? No I do not believe Bruno understands where they are at all. He obviously has no idea what this strange facility is that their house is neighbors too either. I believe that much of the German public would not really believe what the facility is and what horrors happens behind that fence. Seeing as he does not know what the neighboring area is next to his house I do not believe that they know where they are as it is a fairly significant facility and if you were informed as to what it is then you would certainly believe where you are on the German map.
8. Does Gretel understand where they are? Explain. I do not think that Gretel understands where they are as she is not at an age where she would understand what the place is that she is seeing. But I think that she might understand that it might be the Jewish people as the Nazi German's back in those days were told to hate the Jews and she might be able to get a vague idea of who are behind the fence. But I don't think she knows where they are at all because she is only a child and it is in the middle of nowhere and she is obviously not extremely aware of the war and the situation with the Jewish people.
9. How is Bruno's description of 'Out-with' represent a motif? What is darkly ironic about this? He says, "What's an 'Out-With'?" This shows that Bruno is very unaware of the house, it's name and it's history. This is darkly ironic as it is obvious that this was home to a Jewish family that were thrown out of their home and either killed or put in the neighboring Concentration Camp.  
10. Read pgs 27-29. How are Bruno's and Gretel's reaction to 'the children' Bruno sees through the window different? What does this tell us about these two characters and their perception/understanding of where they are? When I read these two pages it shows that Bruno is not aware of the situation, he is not phased in any means by the children behind the fence. He thinks that it is an every day normal thing. This is very different to Gretel reaction to the sight of the children. She is very shocked and it says that she is very hesitant and struggles to walk forward. This shows that she dies not want to see what Bruno is trying to show her because she is thinking of what she might see.