Discussion Topic
The relationship and its significance between Bruno and Maria in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas."
Summary:
The relationship between Bruno and Maria in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is significant because it highlights themes of innocence and the human capacity for kindness. Despite the social hierarchy, Bruno treats Maria, the family maid, with respect and curiosity, reflecting his naivety and contrasting with the prevailing prejudices of the time.
What is the significance of Bruno and Maria's relationship in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"?
For much of the story, Maria is pretty much Bruno's only close friend. Bruno has a kind of friendship with Shmuel, but it doesn't really become close until the tragic ending. As for Maria, she treats Bruno with kindness and respect, which stands in stark contrast to the way that Bruno is treated by his parents, who tend to be more cold and detached.
For very different reasons, neither Bruno nor Maria really belong at "Out-With," and so as outsiders they're able to form a close bond with each other. Both miss living in the big old house back in Berlin, which represented a place of safety, a haven of peace from the outside world. In that sense, Maria, though an adult, is as much of a child in the nightmarish world of the Third Reich as Bruno. To a certain extent, they are protected from that world and its...
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harsh realities, but at the cost of personal autonomy; both are expected to do as they're told: Maria as a servant, and Bruno as a young boy.
I think that the relationship between Bruno and Maria is significant in a couple of ways. The first is that it represents one of the first moments that Bruno's sense of compassion and understanding about the world is expanded. Once he understands more about Maria, and once their relationship develops into a greater bond, Bruno advocates for someone whose experience lies outside his own. Additionally, the emotional proximity of their relationship is significant because it compels Bruno to stand up for her when Gretel treats her callously. It is in this where Bruno shows himself to be an advocate for another person. At the same time, as Bruno develops greater feeling for her, he demonstrates more understanding and greater awareness of her own predicament and her own narrative. This is something that will develop further in the novel as with Pavel and, of course, Shmuel. It is significant that Bruno's relationship with Maria is furthered and developed in a stronger capacity because it will enable him to be able to defend someone who is in need, to represent a universal quality in a world of contingent beliefs.
What is the relationship between Bruno and Maria in the first four chapters of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?
Maria is the family's maid. She is very subservient and always keeps her head bowed and her eyes on the ground. This is shown in the first paragraph in the book and when the young blond soldier looks into Bruno's room (pg 18) Bruno was told by his mother to always treat Maria respectfully and not imitate the way Father spoke to her. She specifically takes care of Bruno, especially in the new house because there are other servants who come with the house and take care of the other duties. Bruno feels he can talk to Maria. He has always liked Maria and felt as if she was one of the family. (pg 17) However, Maria knows her place and tries to help Bruno see that his father has an important job. Even though Maria has been with them since he was three, he does not want her to see him cry. He holds back tears when they are having a conversation in the room at the new house because he doesn't want her to think he is a baby. (pg 19)
You learn more about Maria in Chapter Six. She has a definite history with the family.