The Boy In The Striped Pajamas Analysis

Register to read the introduction… I will now present a few arguments that are an objection to her view. It is not that I find these themes to be inconsistent with the film, but I deem the moral obligations, and free will within the plot to be more subjective to the overall philosophy. What I disagree with in Carrieres claim is not the relevancy of it within the film but rather the importance of the theme. The innocence of Bruno’s character and the relationship between the good and the evil go hand in hand with the value of true friendship. Without the value of friendship present in the film, Bruno’s innocence would never allow for the power of evil to become more present to those blind of it. Carriere might respond to my argument in several ways. For instance, she could say that although the relationship between Bruno and Shmuel is a vital one, the overall relationship between good and evil of the Holocaust create a base for all events that occur within the film. However this response fails, because it is not a plot based upon neither historical events nor context. This is a film that uses a tragedy such as the Holocaust as a dialectical tool, focusing not on religious or cultural facets, but rather on the experience of a young German boy learning what it means to follow his heart. Coming almost entirely from Bruno’s point of view, the film has an innocent interpretation to what it …show more content…
Kathryn Carrieres claims are not found to be incorrect, but are not vital to interpreting the films message. Therefore, the evil in the film plays no part in understanding the value of true friendship. Bruno confides in Shmuel, at first, because he is lonely and innocent. However as the novel develops their friendship grows into something authentic which crosses the boundaries of race, religion and culture. Over the course of the novel there are times when the friendship is tested, threatened and almost betrayed but Bruno and Shmuel remain true to their friendship even in the darkest and devastating of endings. The interpretation of Bruno and Shmuel’s bond in the film The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is fundamental in understanding the significant theme of love and friendship.

Works Cited

Carriere, Kathryn. "Film Review: The Boy in Striped Pyjamas." Journal of Religion & Film 13.1 (2009): n. pag. Web.

Gakuran, Michael. "Aristotle’s Moral Philosophy | Gakuranman • Adventure First." Gakuranman Adventure First RSS. N.p., 21 May 2008. Web.

Herman, Mark, Rosie Alison, Christine Langan, David Heyman, Benoît Delhomme, Michael Ellis, James Horner, Natalie Ward, Martin Childs, Vera Farmiga, David Thewlis, Rupert Friend, David Hayman, Asa Butterfield, Jack Scanlon, Amber Beattie, Sheila Hancock, Richard Johnson, Jim Norton, and John Boyne. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.