What is the purpose of the flashback in chapter 8 of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?
The flashback highlights just how unhappy Bruno is at "Out-With." Under the circumstances, it's inevitable that he should start getting nostalgic for happier times back in Berlin. The flashback episode reveals just how uncomfortable Bruno's grandmother was with her son's wearing of the Nazi uniform. Bruno didn't understand why his grandmother was so sharply critical of Ralf then and still doesn't understand it now. He's still young and innocent and has an awful lot to learn.
But he does at least sense there's something not quite right about the uniform and what it represents—something that is somehow linked to his current unhappiness at "Out-With." Bruno doesn't know the full story yet, and tragically won't know until it's too late. For now, he does know that both he and his grandmother are profoundly unhappy at Ralf's new posting, so Bruno decides to write to his grandmother to let her know just...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
how miserable he is. He's sure that she'll understand.
The flashback in chapter 8 describes a Christmas play that Bruno’s grandmother had Bruno and Gretel perform. Bruno thinks of the play because he is missing his grandmother and grandfather. His memory demonstrates how unhappy he is, and how thinking back to happier times does not comfort him because he remembers when things started going downhill. Ralf wearing his Nazi uniform offends grandma.
The author includes this flashback to show how politics can destroy families. In Nazi Germany, not every German gladly followed Hitler. There were many people who disagreed with his policies and how the country was being run. Sometimes this could cause a rift in a previously happy family. World War II and Nazism tore Germany apart.
Why does Boyne use flashback in chapter 11 of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a novel written by John Boyne. It was first published in 2006.
The book is written from a limited third-person perspective, following Bruno and the events surrounding him. However, there are some occasions in the novel when the author uses flashbacks in order to allow the reader to learn what happened previously. This is also the case in chapter 11.
In chapter 11, “the fury” comes to visit. In fact, this “fury” is none other than Adolf Hitler himself. However, as Bruno is only a young boy, he struggles pronouncing his title properly, which is why he mispronounces “the Führer” as “the fury.”
The reason why this chapter is written as a flashback is because it allows the author to share with the reader what has happened in the past. It allows the reader to get to know the political views of Bruno’s parents better. Through this chapter, the reader learns that Bruno’s father, a Nazi officer, was clearly highly appreciated within the Nazi party—otherwise Hitler would not be coming to visit them.
Through the flashback, the author shows the reader how Bruno’s family was very much in support of the Nazi party and Hitler himself. Like many other Germans at the time, Bruno’s parents are in awe of Hitler and see it as a great honor that he is going to come for dinner. We can see that through the excitement that follows the father’s announcement that Hitler has “invited himself to dinner.” For example, the mother’s reaction clearly shows her excitement: “mother's eyes opened wide and her mouth made the shape of an O.”
At the same time, the flashback underlines Bruno's innocence further, as his mispronunciation of "the Führer” shows his naivety and innocence.