In the novel ‘The boy in striped pyjamas,’ themes of loss of innocence, manipulation, discrimination, and propaganda are portrayed. Three characters in the novel, Father, Gretel and Bruno are all distinct kinds of puppets in their own sense, but are manipulated in very different manners. The first and most important ‘puppet’ in The Boy in striped pyjamas is “Father.” Ralf Hoess, Bruno’s Father, is Hitler’s pawn because he believes in Hitler and holds full trust in Hitler’s ideas and views. It is evident that Hitler has manipulated Bruno’s father into being a fierce patriot and doing anything for the Fatherland, when Ralf accepts the offer of being commandant of the death camp Auschwitz. Hitler needed loyal servants who would follow his every word and consequently …show more content…
I’ve never let a friend down like that before. Shmuel, I’m ashamed of myself. (pg 175)” This draws a defined line between Bruno and his father and the Nazi’s who mass murdered and hurt the Jewish population on a much larger scale but do not necessarily take responsibility for their terrible actions, and do not apologize. Bruno had only indirectly hurt Shmuel on a small scale, but feels immensely apologetic in his actions and asks for forgiveness. This shows that Bruno is not a puppet, because a Nazi loyal to Hitler would have never shown such and honest repentance for their actions, no matter how small it was. A large portion of the characters in ‘The boy in striped pyjamas’ are puppets. Father is doing Hitler’s every bidding, while Gretel is supporting the Nazi Regime, and they are blind sheep led by Hitler for much of the story. Their characters are shallow, and they don’t think beyond what they are ordered to do, and what they hear. Father and Gretel are safe by pledging their loyalty to Hitler. However, the fate of those who break away from the rules, the ones that end up severing the ties, is vastly different and much more