Day 12 · Chapter 12

Shmuel Thinks of an Answer
to Bruno's Question

Bell Work Quiz & Comparing Perspectives

1 Bell Work Quiz

Answer the following questions about Chapter 11.

1. Chapter 11 is structured as —

A letter Bruno writes to his friends in Berlin A flashback to when the Fury came to dinner at Bruno's house in Berlin A dream Bruno has about returning home A conversation between Bruno and Shmuel about the future

2. What does Father tell Bruno and Gretel before the dinner?

They must be on their best behavior because an important guest is coming They are allowed to join the adults for dinner They must stay in their rooms and not come downstairs at all They are going on a family vacation

3. Who is the "Fury" that comes to dinner?

A general in Father's army Father's boss at work Adolf Hitler — Bruno mispronounces "Führer" as "Fury" A family friend from Berlin

4. How does Bruno describe the Fury's behavior at dinner?

He was friendly and played games with the children He was quiet and barely spoke to anyone He was very polite and well-mannered He was rude — he walked in first, sat at Father's seat, and acted arrogantly

5. The Fury's companion, Eva, was —

Cold and unfriendly to everyone Kind and warm, especially toward Bruno and Gretel Afraid of Bruno's father Not mentioned in the chapter

· · ·

2 Chapter Assignment — Comparing Perspectives

Chapters 11 and 12 tell parallel stories — Bruno's and Shmuel's journeys to "Out-With." Compare how their experiences reveal the unfairness at the heart of the novel.

1. Bruno's journey to Out-With involved a comfortable train ride with his family. Shmuel's journey involved a packed, dark train with no food. The contrast between these two journeys highlights —

That Bruno's family was wealthier than Shmuel's The extreme inequality and injustice caused by the Nazi regime — two boys the same age treated as completely different based on religion and nationality That Shmuel's family made poor travel choices That trains in Poland were worse than trains in Germany

2. When Bruno complains about his move to Out-With, Shmuel goes quiet. Why is Bruno's complaining significant?

It shows that Bruno is a spoiled child It proves that Bruno does not like Shmuel It shows that Bruno wants attention It reveals how his privilege blinds him — he cannot see that his minor inconvenience is nothing compared to Shmuel's suffering

3. Before the camp, Shmuel lived in a nice house and his father was a watchmaker. What does this detail tell us about the people the Nazis targeted?

They were ordinary families living normal lives before their rights and homes were taken away — anyone could have been a victim They were all watchmakers They all lived in small houses They had already been in trouble with the law

4. Despite their vastly different experiences, Bruno and Shmuel keep meeting at the fence. What does their growing friendship suggest about human nature?

Children always need someone to play with Fences cannot really keep anyone apart The desire for connection and friendship can cross even the most extreme barriers society creates Bruno is just bored and has no other options

5. Bruno tells Shmuel that "Germany is the greatest of all countries." What does this moment reveal about the effect of propaganda on children?

Bruno has traveled to many countries and knows this to be true Bruno is repeating beliefs he has been taught without understanding them, showing how propaganda shapes children's thinking before they can question it Bruno is trying to hurt Shmuel's feelings on purpose Bruno is quoting something he read in a book

Chapter 12 — Results

—

Your Name:

Enter your name and click "Generate Results Code"

✓ Copied to clipboard!

Click "Send to Teacher" to email your results, or click the code above to copy it.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas — Day 12: Shmuel Thinks of an Answer

Shmuel Thinks of an Answerto Bruno's Question

Shmuel Thinks of an Answer
to Bruno's Question