Chapter 4 Questions - TBITSP

• (pg 31) How does the author continue to use juxtaposition in regards to the two housing situations? (the Jews and Bruno's family)

The author continues to use juxtaposition within the chapter and between the two situations i.e. the Jews and Bruno's family by using the two examples of the Jews Housing and Bruno's familys' house. This is done by illustrating the positives about the exterior and garden or Bruno's house which is seemed as very happy, lush and very homely as well as the fact that his house, being 3 stories. In opposition to this is the exterior of the concentration camp which is lined with barb wire with telegraph like poles that hold it up. The housing is very small and only single story which shocks Bruno and Gretel.

• What is it about the children that makes it difficult to understand exactly what they see through the window and just how bad it is?

It is difficult to understand what exactly they see through the window because they are very vague about the details of the inside. All that is known is the small hut like housing and the barb wire fence. They do this because rather than looking at every detail about the camp they focus more on what is it about. They come to all different conclusions but realises  that every idea is wrong which gives the reader no conclusion about what they see out the window.

• Summarise how Gretel describes what she sees.

Gretel thinks one main idea about where they are and she thinks they are in the countryside and at there holiday house. This idea is based upon the fact that she thinks it is opposite to the city, and the place she lived. This place is the opposite of where she used to live because he street was populated with 6 big houses and this place only had her house and the small 'huts'. This idea however is short lived when she releases that there is no animals and farmers, which Bruno points out.

• What does Gretel attempt to do when she sees the Concentration Camp? How does she attempt to understand what she sees?

Gretel tries to explain and understand what she sees by narrowing her eyes and think really hard about the situation. This is because she feels that she is smart enough to comprehend the situation, but must put in a lot of effort. After she releases that she can't, she makes light of her decision.

• Is her attempt successful? Does she convince Bruno that she understands? What does she eventually give in to? What does she say/or not say? (pg 32)

Her idea was unsuccessful with Bruno because he thinks rationally about the idea of hers and proves it wrong. She than eventually gives in and admits she is wrong but doesn't take her eyes off the window because she is perplexed at the clothes the Jews are wearing i.e. the blue, striped pyjamas, and the conditions they are living in i.e. the single story hut housing.

• What can't the children do when they see the Concentration Camp that the adults seem to be able to do? Which group can understand what they see? Why do you think that this is the case?

There are many difference between what the children think and the adults think. The adults know and understand what's going on about the concentration camp and dismiss the situation when they come by it while the children don't understand the situation and are curious about it. Gretel however feels that they are beneath her and that she should stay clear of them. This is the case because of what the Jews are wearing and how they look. There is also a big barb wire fence which shows that they are trying to keep the people in.

• How does the author use understatement through the children's description of the Concentration Camp?

The author portrays the view of the children in a different way to what would be expected. The author focuses less on the details and more on the view of the children and there curiosity. This is seen through the quick dismissal of the details about the camp (only information is the wire fencing and the small huts) and more into the opinion of the children (what they think it is). Gretel's opinion is that the home is a holiday home but is short lived by Bruno's reasoning. In the end they come up with no conclusion.