From the discussion guide at the back of the book:
A pun is most often seen as humorous. But in this novel, the narrator uses dark, solemn puns like “Out-With” and “Fury” to convey certain meanings. Bruno is simply mispronouncing the real words, but the author is clearly asking the reader to consider a double meaning to these words. Discuss the use of this wordplay as a literary device. What is the narrator trying to convey to the reader? How do these puns further communicate the horror of the situation?
Well, the first thing that I think about when I hear the phrase ‘Out-With’, is something like, “Out with them!”… maybe like, out with the Jewish people, from the point of view of the Nazis. The “Out with them” reminds me of the phrase, “Off with their heads” which definitely puts a horrible picture into my mind.
The word ‘fury’ means ‘violent, anger, rage’ which is also not a very positive meaning. Hitler might have felt that way to the Jewish people- the Nazis definitely used violent actions.
These phrases definitely have a double meaning- Bruno’s innocence was portrayed by the mispronunciation of the words and names. Therefore, these double meanings have a sort of innocent side, as well as a nasty one.
I think that the author uses these terms to help you get into Bruno’s shoes, make the story more real. It gives the book an almost puzzling personality. The book never comes right out and says that the camp behind Bruno’s house is a work camp or that it’s even World War Two. I think that this makes the novel way more interesting.
It makes the story more horrifying because the fact that people can be so oblivious to such a horrible time is disturbing. The fact that innocent people are being tortured and killed, basically in Bruno’s backyard and he doesn’t even know it is really eerie!
I think the writer wants us to see Bruno’s innocence. I think while we are reading the book, we look over the fact that it’s in an 8 year old’s perspective. So we clearly understand the dark meaning of the names, but since Bruno looks at the names as any ordinary title there tends to be mistakes in taking the meaning seriously.
Such as, when I first heard the name Waterloo, I couldn’t help but laugh. But If there was an atomic bomb to explode in the region, It definitely changes my reaction to the name. But thankfully we live in a safe environment, unlike Bruno who has a lot to learn.
I think the Author uses these puns to show how clueless children were during the Holocaust. They had no idea what was going on!
I think that when he uses the term “Out-With” he means like a discarded place that is not of any importance to them or anyone for that matter.
When he uses the term “Fury” I think it’s a play on the word “the Fuhrer” which as some may know was Hitler’s name.
With these puns it gives you more to think about while reading the book. And it can create a good discussion between readers to show how they interpret it.
These puns show the horror by showing how oblivious many people were during these times.
Well, I believe that the puns put everything into a different perspective. If you are reading this book and didn’t know a lot about this vast concept, this gives you at least some idea of what may be happening. For example victory95 said that the fury could mean rage, violent, anger and people who didn’t know Hitler, could at least know a bit about him.
In my opinion, this novel is slightly secretive. I don’t think the author wants to give much information away. I think he wants the readers to figure out themselves what is going on. This gives the readers a chance to make predictions.
Also, because it is written from Bruno’s point of view the author cannot really talk too much about what is going on because Bruno doesn’t know himself! I am curious whether anyone in his family other than his father even realizes what is going on in their very own backyard!!
The DVD is now out – I just purchased it while I was out shopping.
Great commments so far. What does everyone else think?
For vicky’s post “fury” also means leder in German.
well, i agree with victoria95 because out-with when i hear that it makes me think of the olden days when they would say “out with them”, or like victoria95 said “off with there heads”. When they would say that it usally ment that they would be dead, so when they say out- with i think of people dieng or people getting hurt badly.The bad thing is, is that Bruno doesnt understand what out- with is because he doesnt have to live through it the jewish people do.
Im excited to see what happens next!!!!
I was watching a documentary on the concentration camp “Auschwitz” (which is almost pronounced”out with”, pardon me if I’m wrong) and it was really interesting to see what it looks like. The fact is, it almost looks like hotel! There were hot dog stands and gift shops and it was easy to see that the host was extremely frustrated! He was voicing his opinion on how the camp should be burnt down and with the people who built it. Now I cold see where he was going with this but, when they were showing the inside, there were pictures of the victims and sayings and quotes. One quote that caught my attention was: “Forgetting them, is letting them die again”. So I realized how important it is for people to see what us humans have done, and how we should prevent this from happening again.
So that was my little random rant on the camp. Oh by the way, totally out of topic but, James Ehnes won a Juno for Classical Album of The Year!
Alright I’m done.