The Boy In The Striped Pajamas Ending

The Boy in the
Striped Pajamas byis historical in nature but is a fictional story which reminds
readers of the disaster andof Nazi occupation. Bruno must move because of his father's
profession which, in itself, is nothing unusual but he would thrive in a situation where he is
allowed to develop and mature at his own pace. He is forbidden from exploring and making new
friends is impossible. It is significant that it is Bruno's father's behavior which, in fact,
directs Bruno's actions. The boys are thrust together by circumstance and this story indicates
the tragedy and futility of war and also highlights the similarities between these innocent
children, regardless of which side they are supposedly on. Bruno and Shmuel come from worlds so
far removed from each other that an event of this nature should not be possible. However, John
Boyne skillfully points out through Bruno's character, there are more things that unite Bruno
and Shmuel than there are things that separate them. 

Bruno's father, a
powerful Nazi Commandant, has convinced himself that "Those people...well, they're not
people at all..." (chapter 5). This is ironic considering that Shmuel is Bruno's only
friend with whom, if his father is correct, Bruno has "nothing in common." However,
Bruno and Shmuel share an unexplained bond, which starts with them sharing a birthday. After a
year of meeting and chatting, Bruno is due to return to Berlin and so he and Shmuel discuss the
possibility of him going to Shmuel's side of the fence. Bruno's hair is short, having been
shaved to avoid lice and, as Shmuel points out, he is a little "fatter," but,
otherwise, in a "pair of striped pajamas" he would look essentially the same as Shmuel
and they can go on a "final adventure" in the camp. Bruno is excited at the prospect
of "exploring" and Shmuel is anxious that Bruno will help him look for
"Papa," who has apparently gone missing. The boys sense that this will seal their
friendship and is a good way to say "goodbye" (chapter 18). The reader senses that
this foreshadows more sinister events to follow.  

Bruno is shocked that he
has to walk barefoot and that he sees mostly sad faces; the camp is nothing like he expected. He
and Shmuel find no trace or "evidence" of Shmuel's papa either so Bruno is about to
make his way back to the fence and go home when a whistle sounds and the boys find themselves in
the middle of a crowd. They are ushered into an "airtight" room and Bruno tells Shmuel
he is his best friend and holds his hand but has no idea whether Shmuel replies because "at
that moment, there was a loud gasp from all the marchers..." and Bruno can hear nothing. He
wonders about the darkness but in his innocence presumes it is related to the fact that it is
raining outside. After that, "Nothing more was ever heard of Bruno..." The reader
knows what has happened and takes solace in the fact that Bruno is not afraid in his last
moments and that Shmuel has his friend with him. The boys have evidently been
gassed.