The corruption of the Commandant clearly contrasts with Bruno’s childhood purity. This corruption is seen predominantly in Bruno’s interactions with his father, as well as, his evil quest to eliminate all Jews, who are perceived as sub-human. However, it is the conversation that Bruno has with the family maid, Maria that most clearly reveals a kinder side to this typically evil, domineering man. She states “You must never say something like that about your Father...because he is a good man. He takes care of all of us.” (p.61). She then enraptures the reader with a tale of her rescue at the hands of the Commandant prior to the war. This suggests that the father is capable of empathy and that he was once, a “good man”, despite his perfomance
