Do Now:Please take your homework out to be checked and complete the following questions.

  1. What do “innocent” and “naïve” mean when used to describe children? Does Bruno fall under the category of “innocent” or “naïve”? Why or why not?
  2. Predict: What do you think will happen as Bruno decides to explore Out-With? What do you think he might find and what might happen to him?

Directions: Please answer all the questions for chapters 8-9 on a separate piece of paper. You will have 15 minutes to complete this task.

Chapter 8 Comprehension Questions

  1. What is revealed about Grandfather’s and Grandmother’s backgrounds?
  2. What does Bruno remember about the last play he, Gretel, and Grandmother performed, and why did it particularly upset him?
  3. Discuss the fundamental source of conflict between Grandmother and Grandfather with regards to their son‘s professional aspirations. What simile does Grandmother use to make her point?
  4. When Grandmother says, “I was merely the blank wall to whom you have addressed your words,” what does she mean? This is an example of what literary device?
  5. Explain grandmother’s attitude toward Mother as seen in this chapter.
  6. What information does Bruno include in his letter to Grandmother? What might happen as a result of his letter?

Chapter 9 Comprehension Questions

  1. In what ways have things remained the same at Out-With, and what has suddenly changed?
  2. Describe Bruno’s opinion of Herr Liszt as compared with his teacher in Berlin.
  3. What is the primary source of conflict that Herr Liszt and Bruno have in terms of Bruno’s education?
  4. Explain the Irony and humor in Bruno’s assumption about “the great wrongs that have been done” to him.
  5. Identify the one thing Bruno decides he can do at Out-With that he was also able to do in Berlin.
  6. Explain the significance of the questions Bruno asks himself as he looks out of the window at the people in the striped pajamas. How are these questions tied to an important theme in the novel?
  7. What comparison does Bruno make between the people in the striped pajamas and the soldiers? What fundamental difference does he also note?
  8. What is the “one final thing” Bruno must investigate before heading off on his adventure? What does he find?
  9. Describe Bruno’s thoughts as he leaves the grounds.