Why does Bruno's mother become unhappy at "Out-With" in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?

Bruno’s mother is unhappy with life at Out-With (Auschwitz) for many reasons. As Bruno reflects in chapter seventeen, life at Auschwitz was nothing like the home which Mother had known before, and she did not have friends or anyone to talk to there like he did. Mother had been friends (and probably more than friends) with Lieutenant Kotler, but he had been transferred away from Auschwitz. Bruno observes that Mother has started to sleep more and drink more medicinal sherries than she used to. These behavior are signs of depression and indicate that Mother’s feelings of loneliness and despair about her family’s situation are increasing.

Mother is evidently distraught over the nature of what Auschwitz is, what her husband does there, and how it is not an appropriate place to raise young children. Consider what Bruno overhears her saying to Father in an argument after Father says that they cannot move away because he has a commitment to his work at Auschwitz:

“‘Work?’ shouted Mother. ‘You call this work?’”

Mother's exasperation in this scene shows that she does not like what Auschwitz is. She is also frustrated that she had no say in her family’s move there and feels powerless and sad that it is where her children are growing up.

How does Bruno feel about Out-With in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?

At the beginning of the novel, Bruno hates his new house at Out-With. He misses his massive old house, his friends, and the thriving city of Berlin. Before he meets Shmuel, he is continually trying to persuade his family to move back to Berlin. Bruno mentions that there is nothing to do, and his new house at Out-With does not even have interesting spots to explore. One day, Bruno goes for a walk and meets a Jewish boy named Shmuel on the other side of the fence. The two boys become "secret" friends and Bruno begins visiting him every day after he gets done studying. The two boys do not get to play together, but Shmuel's company is enough to make Bruno feel happy. As the novel progresses, Bruno forgets about his old friends in Berlin and embraces his new home at Out-With. Towards the end of the novel, Bruno's father tells him that he's going to be heading back to Berlin with his mother and sister. Bruno is sad to go and decides to go on one final adventure with his best friend, Shmuel. Tragically, the two boys are led to a gas chamber where they die.

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, why does Bruno think Mother is unhappy with Out-With?

In chapter 17, Bruno finds out that he, his sister Gretel, and their mother will be returning to Berlin.

In Bruno's mind, impending change had been in the works for several weeks. After all, his mother seemed increasingly unhappy. She had gotten into the habit of taking long naps, and some of those naps were taken before lunch.

Bruno also observed that his mother was taking more medicinal sherries. He worried about her but could do nothing to help. In the end, Bruno concluded that his mother was unhappy because she had no friends.

Unlike Bruno (who had Shmuel), Bruno's mother had no one to confide in. The only "friend" she had—Lieutenant Kotler—had been transferred from Out-With. So, she had no one to confide in.

Bruno's fears about his mother's unhappiness are realized when he overhears a private conversation between his mother and father.

During the conversation, Bruno's parents argue about keeping the entire family at Out-With. Bruno's father insists that they must stay. because the Fury would not consent to a transfer at the moment. He also fears that his commitment to the Fury's work would be questioned if he asks to be relieved of his command.

Meanwhile, Bruno's mother insists on returning to Berlin. She tells Bruno's father that his work is "horrible" and that she can't "stand it any more." It's very likely that she was referring to the dehumanization of Jewish prisoners that she has observed.

Several weeks later, Bruno and Gretel are called into their father's office. There, he questions them about returning to Berlin. The siblings give cautious replies. However, when Bruno reveals that he has seen hundreds of children across the fence, Bruno's father decides that his family will indeed return to Berlin.