Bruno's father makes several important decisions throughout the novel that have dire consequences. The first fateful decision Bruno's father makes is to join the Nazi regime. His decision to join the Third Reich negatively impacts his relationship with his mother. His mother opposes his decision to join such a ruthless regime and support Hitler's extremist views. The last conversation they have ends in an argument with his mother yelling that she is ashamed of him.

Another decision that Bruno's father makes that has disastrous consequences is when he decides to invite Adolf Hitler over for dinner. Adolf assigns him the position of Commandant of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Bruno's father has no choice but to accept Hitler's assignment.

The Commandant's decision to move his family from Berlin to Auschwitz has fatal consequences. His marriage falls apart after his wife begins having an affair with Lieutenant Kotler. Bruno sneaks off into the concentration camp to search for Shmuel's father and tragically loses his life in a gas chamber. Bruno's family moves back to Berlin, and Bruno's father loses his mind and his job by the end of the novel.