Find quotes from this novel, with commentary from Shmoop. Pick a theme below to begin.
Family Quotes
[…] [Bruno's] mother had always told him that he was to treat Maria respectfully and not just imitate the way Father spoke to her. (1.2)
Lies and Deceit Quotes
"Your father's job […] you know how important it is, don't you?" (1.16)
Race Quotes
"Who are all those people? […] And what are they all doing there?" (4.190)
Violence Quotes
The more [the children] were shouted at, the closer they huddled together, but then one of the soldiers lunged towards them and they separated […]. (4.195)
Morality and Ethics Quotes
Bruno didn't like to admit that he was a little scared of her, but if he was honest with himself—which he always tried to be—he would have admitted that he was. (3.97)
Friendship Quotes
"But they're my three best friends for life!" (1.41)
Freedom and Confinement Quotes
There was a huge wire fence that ran along the length of the house and turned in at the top, extending further along in either direction, further than [Gretel] could possibly see. (4.162)
Warfare (The Holocaust) Quotes
Others were on crutches and many had bandages around their heads. Some carried spades and were being led by groups of soldiers to a place where they could no longer be seen. (4.192)