Violence Quotes in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Even though it made Bruno cry and Gretel grow pale.
(13. 874)

Here we see the children's reactions to Kotler's violent abuse of Pavel. As readers, we have to draw our own conclusions about what happens—does Kotler slap him? Beat him up? Shoot him? What do you think?

Quote #5

One afternoon Shmuel had a black eye, and when Bruno asked him about it he just shook his head and said that he didn't want to talk about it. (14. 878)

This is the first time we see the effects of concentration camp abuse, and it leaves a big impact on us because Shmuel is not a man, nor even a teenager—he's a nine-year-old boy. The fact that he doesn't complain or go into details about it reveals his maturity and stoicism—and also, perhaps, his fear and shame.

Quote #6

[…] he saw a dog approach the fence and start barking loudly, and when Lieutenant Kotler heard it he marched right over to the dog and shot it. (15.954)

Man, Kotler just gets worse and worse. So far he's beat up a man and a little kid, and now he murders a helpless animal. Definitely not the kind of guy we want to have over for dinner any time soon… or ever.