Symbolism of the Fence

The major theme of this novel is the question of who chooses those who are one side of the fence and those who are the other. The fence that separates Auschwitz from the rest of the countryside becomes a symbol in this theme. Bruno sees this fence the first day of his arrival at Out-With, his term for the area, and begins to wonder about the people on the other side who are all wearing striped pyjamas. Bruno asks his father about these people and is told they are not really people, but is given no other information.

As the book progresses, Bruno learns little things about the people who live on the other side of the fence. Among these things, Bruno learns that the people on the other side of the fence are Jews. Bruno quickly shows the reader that he does not understand...