Chapter 7 How Mother Took Credit For Something She Hadn't Done

1) How is the mother's defence of Herr Roller entirely ironic?
The mother is trying to defend Herr Roller by telling Bruno not to laugh at him and she says ''You shouldn't laugh at him you don't know what he has been through.'' This is ironic because the mother doesn't really know why he is doing this and doesn't know what the German soldiers do to the Jews.


2) What role does Kotler represent historically in the novel? (think beyond being a soldier)
Kotler represents the German people who believe in and follow Hitler. He is also portrayed as the superior race of blond hair and blue eyes. He is afraid that if he doesn't serve and help his country that he would be killed by the Gestapo. 


3) What character is Kotler juxtaposed with in this chapter? What effect does it have on understanding each of these characters?
He is characterised as a young man but because he is a German soldier he has power of Jews such as people like pavel. When Kotler screams at pavel ordering to come to him and get a tire for Bruno he does what he says without question because he understands that if he doesn't listen or disrespects Kotler he will most likely be killed. This juxtaposition's the dominance and power of Kotler to the helplessness and weakness associated with Pavel.


4) How would you compare the interaction Bruno has with Pavel to all the other interactions Bruno has had with adults?
Bruno get's to know Pavel a bit and develops a stronger bond with him than he has with any other adult. But because Bruno is so young and innocent he doesn't understand why Pavel ''Gave up being a doctor to peel potatoes.''


5) Why is juxtaposition a key technique employed in Holocaust texts? How has it been used in The Boy in the Striped PJ's?
It is a very important technique in holocaust texts because it can portray many characteristics such as power, dominance, order and discipline. It is used in the Striped PJ's book when Pavel an old, frail, thin, weak and helpless man is mistreated and is given orders by the German soldiers who have power and are well fed.