3. Character & Perspective

Lesson 3
Character & Perspective in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas


{Teacher revises over the past two lessons, reminding students of their study of the background of the war and the importance of the novel. Teacher writes the questions from last lesson on the board that the students were to think about:

• Why do you think the story is told from the perspective of a child?
• How might it be different if Bruno and Shmuel were adults?
• Why do you think Hitler is referred to as The Fury?
• How does the story show different perspectives on the war and Bruno's father's role in the war?
• Do you think the novel has an opinion on the war? How does it show its opinion? Why do you think so?

The teacher explains these are overarching questions that the class will discuss later, and that students should bear them in mind as they read today.} (10 mins)

Activity: In small groups, the students read two passages - pages 14-23, and pages 42-48 - and take notes on what they learn about each character, including details such as:

• What do you learn about each character? Characteristics, likes/dislikes, etc.
• What is each character's attitude or opinion of each character to moving to Auschwitz and the war?
•  What does this opinion reveal about the person's character? Are they flexible or stubborn? Wanting to please or upset with the situation?

Students are to compile a group list of characteristics and answers to the questions. (30 mins)

Activity: The class watches the following YouTube videos on the actors from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas film to learn about actors and characters (10 mins):

{The teacher will collect the group list of characteristics and highlight some of the best answers on the whiteboard along with information from the video.}


Activity: Students are instructed to write a character profile on one character from the novel bearing in mind what they have read and learnt about the characters today. (10 mins)

{The teacher hands out a hard copy of Assessment 1 and shows students where to find a digital copy on this blog. The teacher explains this assessment is to be done as homework and ready to hand in at the next class.}