Genesis' SPJs Essay

The Result of Innocence

James Baldwin once said, “People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction, and anyone who insists on remaining in a state of innocence long after that innocence is dead turns himself into a monster”. In  The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, author John Boyne shows that innocence should not be extreme before the truth. It is a novel about the tragic history of Bruno. That for his innocence, he never realized that reality was happening. His ignorance  was so much that it took him to extreme danger and one unexpected death. In John Boyne’s novel “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” Bruno’s innocence is a negative thing for him when he does not understand who Hitler is, he is being influenced by his parents, and he does not have any idea what is on the other side of the fence, which shows the reader that the innocence converts the truth and keeps  people ignorant about the reality that even hard is needed to be accepted .

First, Bruno is naive about the leader of the Nazis. When he is  talking with his father he says “He presumed [Heil, Hitler] was another way of saying, ‘well, goodbye for now have a pleasant afternoon” (Boyne 54). Here the author shows how innocent Bruno is, he can not realize what is going on,and  he does not know who Hitler is. Bruno thinks that [Heil, Hitler] is like another type to say “hello” or “have a nice day.” This is illogical because they are living  during a war, and everyone else know the true meaning of that phrase, which was to show respect towards Hitler who for Bruno was “The Fury.” If Bruno uses this phrase at any time or use it incorrectly, it could cause some conflict or problems between him or some members of his family with the Fury. That is  how Buno fails to understand is the boss of his father.

Second, Bruno tries to follow his father’s ideas. When he is  talking with Shmuel and they argue over their nations, Bruno is by have heard said.Bruno says to Shmuel, “ Well, because Germany is the greatest of countries … We’re superior”’ (Boyne 112). Here the reader can see how igneous  Bruno is; he repeats what he hears from his father, which causes him to believing that they are the best nation. Bruno thinks that they can be superior to the other people. He felt wrong after saying this but at that moment he is so innocent because he was brainwashed by the ideas that his parents tries to impose. If this had continued later on, he will be end up becoming as others with the same idea that Jewish people were less than him. Bruno is being influenced by the words of his father.

Last, Bruno is unsuspicious about what is inside of the concentration camp. When Gretel and him talk about the concentration camp Bruno says, “’I don’t understand why we’re not allowed on the other side of the fence’” (Boyne 181). Here the reader can see that Bruno is ignorant about the concentration camp. He did not have an idea what that place is. He thought it was a farm, and he never thinks about the suffering that people have at this place. Bruno does not comprehend that in that concentration camp, what they actually did was kill people. This leads to be a negative thing for him since it was such a degree of ignorance, he entered the other side of the fence and this led to his death. Bruno is ignorant of what is on the other side of the fence.

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, Bruno’s innocence is a negative thing when he has no idea who his father’s boss is, his parents try to instill their same way of thinking, he does not realize anything about the concentration camp, which shows the reader that innocence cause people to do not realize about the harsh times that they are living in. In the case of Bruno, his innocence makes him never understand what is happening, it takes this child, who wanted to explore what is on the other side of the fence, dragging him to his sudden death, not understanding what is going on. Innocence is like if someone that is blind tries to go to an unknown place for him, he will probably end up falling and hurting himself.

Katia's SPJs Essay

Innocence, The Secret Weapon Against the Wickedness.

Bishop Robert South once said, “Innocence is like a polished armor; it adorns and defends.” In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, author John Boyne shows the benefits of being innocent. In this novel the narrator tells the story of how Bruno and his family were living in the Holocaust period, and because of the job of Bruno’s father they had to leave their house and move to the countryside. The author also shows through the story how Bruno is naive about that they ended up living near one concentration camp, which name is Auschwitz, and demonstrates that he does not have a clue why a group of people called “Jews” were inside of the fence that bounded the camp that they lived by. Later, and until the final page of the book, the audience can read how the curiosity and innocence of Bruno leads him to meet a Jewish boy named Shmuel, and become his best friend in life. In Boyne’s novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Bruno’s innocence is good when Bruno does not understand who Jewish people are, he does not have any idea about the period that they are passing through, and he ignores what happens to Shmuel in the concentration camp, which shows the reader that innocence is important and necessary for life, especially in children because this protect them even in harsh times.

To begin with, Bruno shows how naive he is about the Jewish people. When Bruno and his family were moving to the countryside, they were going to travel in one train that was very comfortable, but Bruno notices about another train that was full of people and, “For a moment he considered running across the platform to tell the people about the empty seats” (Boyne 41). Here the author shows that really Bruno do not figure out about Jewish and why they are not allowed to have the same rights that he and his family have. He is unaware what could happens if one Jewish person tries to enter the train that he is in. Lamentably, the reality is that if one Jew tried to go out of the train, and more if they try to enter in the train where Germans are, the most presumable thing is that in the same instant one soldier take “care” of the situation and they end up being riddled. But Bruno is just a child and does not think about it, for him everybody is equal, and everyone deserves the same things that he have. For this, his innocence is good, because it keeps him pure, and that is something that children must do not loose. Bruno is innocent about the Jewish citizens and who they are.

Second, Bruno is unaware about the time that they are living in. One day when Shmuel and Bruno were talking about the signs that were put in the armbands that jewish have and also the sign that is in the armband of Bruno’s father, Bruno tells Shmuel, “All the same... I think I’d quite like one. I don't know which one I’d prefer though, your one or father’s” (Boyne 127). Here John Boyne reveals that Bruno is free of stress about the war that is happening at that moment. Also he does not figure out the immense distance that existed between two of the most big groups of people that are living during this period, in one side there are the Germans, who are the people that are doing horrible things to the Jewish, that are the ones that are suffering thing as discrimination, abuse, and most of they are being killed inside of concentration camps. But Bruno does not know anything of all this information, as a child he just thinks that the signs in the armband do not mean anything, he just wants the one that is more cool, which is a typical behavior for a children, he is naive about the conflicts that are occurring, and this is positive because as a kid of nine years old, he does not need to be worrying about wars. The only thing that will happen if he realizes all these horrible things is that he will be afraid all the time and probably end being traumatized. Bruno does not have idea about the war that is occuring at that moment.

Lastly, Bruno ignores what shmuel is having to go through. One day Bruno went to talk to Shmuel about that he is leaving Out-With,  and returning to Berlin. Because of this, Shmuel gets sad realizing that his best friend is moving, but when Bruno notices it, he said to Shmuel, “You could come on a holiday to Berlin. You can't stay here forever after all. Can you?” (Boyne 196). Here as the reader can see, Bruno does not have any idea of the conditions in which Shmuel is going through. Bruno thinks that just because he is free, and he can go wherever he wants, Shmuel could do it. In all the time that they talk together they create strong links, and even all the differences that existed between they,they became best friends for life. The innocence that Bruno has makes him find true friendship. Also Bruno releases from Shmuel the fear and stress that he has for living inside of the concentration camp, and even that he does not know, he is giving him hope. All the actions that Bruno is doing  demonstrates how pure he is and that he have a incredible degree of humanity, all this because of his innocence. Bruno is naive about the situation of Shmuel.

In The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, the innocence of Bruno is positive when Bruno is unaware about the Jewish population, he does not figure out what period they are passing through, and he is naive about how his friend Shmuel is living, demonstrating to the audience that being innocent is good and needs to be preserved in kids. The innocence that Bruno has is the major reason why he meets Shmuel and he could creates a beautiful friendship. Also his innocence help him to do not discovers the type of people that surround him, and the cruel and horrible things that they do to other humans. More that his father is one of the principal person responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, which their only crime is be Jewish. If Bruno realize this, he will be afraid and disappointed even of his own dad. This novel represents the importance of innocence in a world of  evil, because this keeps the mind pure, without fear and helps to not have detriments. Boyne with his novel wants his readers to know that innocence is the umbrella that protects humanity from the sinfulness, and that it must not disappear.

Celeste's SPJs Essay

Child’s Treasure

Churchman Robert South once said that “Innocence is like polished armor; it adorns and defends.” In John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas the audience learns the perks of being naive, and how this quality brings protection. This novel tells the story of the war and the Holocaust from a German boy’s perspective. It all begins when Bruno and his family leave their luxurious home in Berlin when Father receives a promotion as a Nazi commandant in a concentration camp during World War II. Because Bruno is a very curious boy he decides to explore and meets “the boy in the striped pajamas,” a Jewish boy named Shmuel who lives on the other side of the fence with whom he eventually starts an unusual friendship. In the book The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Bruno’s innocence is a positive thing for him when he does not know who the people on the other side of the fence are, treats Shmuel as if there is no difference between them, and ignores the time period he is living in, which shows the reader that children must keep their innocence even when hard times approach, because it is the best thing that life has given them.

First, Bruno does not have the slightest idea of what is happening to the people trapped in the concentration camp. The reader can perceive this when after looking out the window Bruno says  “‘I don’t think the other children look at all friendly’” (Boyne 26). This is a positive aspect about how clueless Bruno is about everything that is happening around him, because he has made his own impression from what he sees through his window, therefore, his curiosity will eventually fade and his desires to explore the complex will go away. This gives him security because if he does not move from where he is now, then he will not suffer any damage. All this shows how the fact that Bruno ignores what happens on the other side of the fence protects him from getting hurt.

Secondly, Bruno shows his naivety to the reader when he treats his new friend, Shmuel, with respect and equality. When Bruno is with Shmuel at the edge of the fence , and he realizes that his friend is cold, he says “‘What’s the matter?’ he asked. ‘It’s not that cold is it? You should have brought a jumper, you know. The evenings are getting chillier’” (Boyne 141). At this moment, when Bruno says this to Shmuel, the reader discovers how the boy’s unawareness is a valuable thing for him. The fact that Bruno is treating Shmuel with fairness demonstrates that he has not made a conclusion from what his parents and sister have told him, but that he has decided to make one from his own thoughts and experiences, and to not be influenced by others. Bruno has also made a friend thanks to his innocence, and this friendship brings joy, not only to him but also to Shmuel, who had already lost his. Thanks to that Bruno completely ignores about the suffering of the Jewish people, he is not persuaded by the ideas of others, which leads him to treat his new friend politely.

Lastly, Bruno has not figured out about the Holocaust and what his parents and his country are doing at this time. He demonstrates how hopeful he is when he says to Shmuel “‘Well, someday, yes,’ said Bruno. ‘You could come on a holiday to Berlin. You can’t stay here for ever after all. Can you?’” ( Boyne 196). Bruno is still unsuspicious about what his dad is doing, and about what is really happening on the other side of the fence at this point. When Bruno talks about the future and how one day he and Shmuel will freely play all they want, he brings hope to Shmuel, who really needs it after all the horrors that he has seen that take place where he lives at this time. Bruno, being hopeful and clueless about the reality he is facing,  demonstrates the positive aspects about innocence, when he gives some of that hope to his new friend, who needs it desperately.

In, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, John Boyne tries to show the reader that Bruno’s lack of knowledge is positive when he misunderstands the people in the concentration camp, behaves respectfully with Shmuel, and feels uncertain about the Holocaust, which asserts in children’s necessity for their innocence. At the end of the story, when Bruno and his friend Shmuel find their fate, still the reader is aware of the positive aspects in this innocence. Showing that the youth need to preserve their innocence, especially in the adversity. Innocence protects just like armor, like a shield, and opens doors that nobody knew were there.

Sharline's Lottery Essay

Everything cannot be perfect

In Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery” the author uses foreshadowing to warn the reader how bad and surprising can be the lottery. Initially, Mrs. Jackson predict the tragic outcome in the story when the boys pick up the bunch of rock. “Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pocket full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones. Bobby and Harry Jones eventually made a great pile of stones in one corner of the square and guarded it against the raids of other boys” (Jackson 28). Here the reader can see, the boys are choosing the stones. They all must choose a bunch of rock when it is lottery time. There are many people and they do not win the lottery because there is also worst ending with the lottery. In the summer when it is time to call on the lottery winner. They all know cannot live a life anymore. Next, the writer hints what is such to be unhoped at the middle of the story when they about to know who is the lottery winner. “they [the townspeople] stood together, away from the piles of stones in the corner, and their jocks were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed” (Jackson 28). They know that if someone wins the lottery between them, he or she will be killed by the people they have there. That is why the people do not want to win the lottery in the summer time. One person must win the lottery and they always worry about the lottery. They cannot laugh a lot for the lottery. Sometimes they smile with each other but not that much, because they should think about the lottery. Lastly, the author suggests the unexpected finish when they are worried to call on the lottery winner. “By now, all through the crowed there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously” (Jackson 33). At this point the author uses the word nervously because in the summer time when they are going to announce the lottery, they worry about it. They do not want to win the lottery which has the worst ending in the world. They know they must die if they win the lottery in the summer. In Ms. Jackson’s short story “The Lottery”, the creator uses clues to inform the reader what unwelcomed thing can happen at the end of the lottery.  

Celeste's Lottery Essay

A Deadly Finale

In Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery,” the author uses foreshadowing to warn the reader about the surprising outcome that the story has. Initially, Jackson gives clues about the unexpected conclusion when she describes the mood of the townspeople before the lottery started. “They [the townspeople] stood together, away from the pile of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed” (Jackson 1). Here Ms. Shirley Jackson shows the way the people feel when they are joking before the lottery begins. The reader can even think that their jokes are meant to be like a pillow before the fall. They are trying to ignore what will happen and to make themselves think that everything will be fine, and that the fatality of the lottery will not reach them. Secondly, Ms. Jackson shows that nobody wants to win the lottery when Mr. Adams gets his ticket from the black box. “Then Mr. Adams reached into the black box and took out a folded paper. He held it firmly by one corner as he turned and went hastily back to his place in the crowd, where he stood a little apart from his family, not looking down at his hand” (Jackson 5). When the head of the Adams family gets a paper from the box and returns to where his family is, the audience can see that he stays away from them. He also is holding the paper in a way that shows that he does not want it. Mr. Adams knows how the lottery ends and he does not want to be responsible if something bad happens to him or his family. Finally, the writer foreshadows the terrible finale when the men have already chosen their papers. “By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their large hands, turning them over and over nervously” (Jackson 6). At this point every man has a ballot in their hands and here the author shows how they feel about it, acting evasively as if they did not want to own the paper. Normally, when someone is participating in a lottery, it is excitement that is felt. But here instead they are nervous and scared, almost like they do not want to be there, because they know how the lottery ends. After looking at all this, now the readers know how the writer has predicted the tragic ending in “The Lottery.”

Lidia's Lottery Essay

Chance of Death

In Shirley’s Jackson, short story “The Lottery”, the author uses foreshadowing to warn the reader about a tragic outcome that the people of the town will face. Initially, Mrs. Jackson uses foreshadowing that the lottery is not going well when the people of the town stay apart from the amount of rocks. “They [the townspeople] stood together away from the piles of stone in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather that laughed” (Jackson 28). Here the author shows the town citizens are afraid of the mountain of pebbles in the bend. Usually their jokes are happy and loud, but they were anguished for who will win the lottery. The villagers know what is going to happen to the winner of the lottery that is not right. Continuing, here the author tries to give a clue about what is coming next when Mr. Graves carries a box with the lottery ballots. “The postmaster, Mr. Graves followed him, carrying a three-legged stool” (Jackson 29). At this point the reader can guess the mistake that is happening, just hear the name “Mr. Graves” that associate a tombstone. And his job of postmaster, that refer a delivery, such his name and his role, all together the significance is a delivery of death. Finally, Mrs. Shirley Jackson foretells the tragic outcome, when all the tickets are distributed to all the town citizens. “By now, all through the crowd there were men holding the small folded papers in their hands, turning them over and over nervously” (Jackson 33). Here Mrs. Jackson gives  the audience the big and final hint with a tense situation when all the community members were fearful and restless waiting for the result of the lottery. They already know the fatal end of the winner of the lottery. Mrs. Shirley Jackson predicts the tragic outcome by foretelling the awful luck of the winner of the lottery in her short story.

Katia's Lottery Essay

                                                              An Unexpected Tragedy

In Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery” the author uses foreshadowing to warn the reader about the story’s tragic outcome. To begin with, Mrs. Jackson gives a hint of the tragic end, when the townspeople are getting prepared to begin the lottery. “They stood together, away from the piles of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed” (Jackson 28). Here the audience, can notice how all the people of this village are acting in a sober mood; they are not happy or even a little bit excited just like is expected for one amazing event like a lottery. Also, the people do not want to be near the rocks that were over there, because they were scared of what could happen after and for what the stones would be used for. All this shows how strange is the situation and that something bad will happen. Next, Shirley Jackson suggests the unexpected outcomes of the events when she gives specific names to the characters in the story. “The postmaster, Mr. Graves followed him carrying a three-legged stool” (Jackson 29). The way that the writer puts the names of the characters is not normal; this foreshadows the possible bad events that can happen here. The name Graves reminds the reader to the gravestones that are in the cemetery, where the dead people are resting, which shows how someone could die soon. Also, the job of this man is to be a postmaster of the village, knowing his name and what this could foretell, it is probable that the author wants to show Mr. Graves as a type of person who delivers death to the individuals of the story because he helps to pick the names of the citizens. Lastly, the author clues the reader of the strange incidents when she shows the rejection of the people to the box. “The villagers kept their distance, leaving a space between themselves and the stool [ that they set the black box on], and …there was a hesitation before two men…came forward to hold the box steady on the stool” (Jackson 29). Here it is easy to realize how nervous the people of the village are acting. No one wants to be near the black box, or to go first to pick a paper, because inside is all they names and nobody wants to be elected. Also, they do not want to be near each other because they do not want to be near of the person who possibly could win. In a normal lottery all the citizens would be crazy to take their own names and obviously be the lucky person who win the lottery, but here the more far away they are from the box, the better they feel. After reading all this, the reader can see how Mrs. Jackson in her short story “The Lottery” uses hints to foretell the audience about the unexpected tragedy.