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The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Chapter 2 Summary

How It All Goes Down

The New House

  • Bruno sees the new house and he is not impressed—it's only three stories high and there are no other families or boys around to play with. Boo.
  • While his mother puts away some glasses, Bruno tries to convince her to move back to Berlin.
  • She snaps and says that they'll be here for the "foreseeable future" (2.71), which is mom-speak for quit complaining.
  • Bruno helps Maria unpack his stuff and asks what she thinks of the move… but she doesn't want to answer.
  • All of a sudden, a blond soldier appears and steps into the room. He stares at Bruno, then nods and leaves. Um… that was weird.
  • Bruno notices a window in the ceiling and looks through it; the chapter ends with a description of what he feels: "[…] very cold and unsafe" (2.95). Ominous much?