Speaking
The story includes an interesting contrast of an innocent child’s perspective in a setting with circumstances far from innocent. This section explores the meaning and value of an innocent perspective and how it enables this story to unfold.
What do “innocent” and “naïve” mean when used to describe children?
Can adults be naïve? What adults in the book seemed naïve?
Can you give an example of a time when you were a young child and saw the world from a more innocent perspective? What experiences helped you see the world differently than what you initially thought?
Does Bruno and Gretel’s tutor take advantage of the children’s innocence in what he teaches them? How?
Although the story takes place during a tragic time in history, there are moments of humor in the story. One occurs when Bruno tells Pavel that he could not be a good doctor because he had to “practise” it. How does this example and others in the book demonstrate Bruno’s naïveté? Can you give other examples from the book of misinterpretation as a result of innocence?
Although Bruno and his family have moved to a desolate place, Bruno continues to display his strong sense of adventure and creativity. What are some examples of this in the book? Can you give an example from your own life when your sense of adventure and imagination allowed you to escape from a sad or painful situation?
What events and experiences lead Bruno to gradually give up some of his innocence and see things differently?
Writing
Using Bruno and Shmuel’s story as inspiration, give your opinion in http://aboutabookreaders.blogspot.com/ about this topic: exploring an innocent perspective. Use these questions to help you to write your essay.
Neither Bruno nor Shmuel really know going on at the concentration camp. Why is that, and what allows them to keep their innocence?
Why do you think the movie and book ended the way they did?
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