Trait	Explanation	Textual Evidence / Quote
Patient	Shmuel remains calm and composed despite the harsh environment of the concentration camp. His patience reflects his resilience and maturity beyond his age.	“I have to be very careful what I say or do… or I could get into trouble.”
Cautious	Having grown up under constant threat, Shmuel understands the importance of vigilance and careful behavior.	“I have to be very careful what I say or do… or I could get into trouble.”
Resilient	Despite living in a brutal environment, Shmuel continues to hope, survive, and maintain his humanity.	“I know I can trust you to help me.”
Empathetic	He forms a deep, trusting friendship with Bruno, showing his ability to care and connect even under oppression.	“I know I can trust you to help me.”
Loyal	Shmuel shows loyalty to Bruno and values their friendship, despite the risks and differences between them.	“I know I can trust you to help me.”

Shmuel is a Jewish boy the same age as Bruno, who lives on the other side of the concentration camp fence. Unlike Bruno, Shmuel’s innocence has been shaped and limited by fear, suffering, and the harsh realities of life in the camp. He is quiet, gentle, and patient, reflecting the resilience of a child forced to grow up too fast.

Despite the horrors he faces daily, Shmuel shows remarkable moral strength, forming a trusting and genuine friendship with Bruno. Their friendship demonstrates how empathy and human connection can exist even in the darkest circumstances. When he shares, “I know I can trust you to help me,” it highlights Shmuel’s willingness to place faith in someone from a world that has treated him cruelly.

Shmuel’s character also serves as a contrast to Bruno’s sheltered innocence. While Bruno wanders naively, unaware of the camp’s dangers, Shmuel understands the rules he must follow to survive. His awareness of potential threats demonstrates the harsh reality children like him endure.

For example, he tells Bruno, “I have to be very careful what I say or do… or I could get into trouble,” revealing the constant vigilance required for survival in the camp. This carefulness shows how quickly Shmuel has had to grow up, making decisions and taking precautions far beyond his years.

Despite the adversity, Shmuel remains compassionate and loyal. He shares what little he has with Bruno and engages in friendship despite the boundaries set by war and prejudice. His kindness, courage, and quiet dignity emphasize that humanity and moral integrity can survive even in situations dominated by cruelty and injustice.

Shmuel’s experiences highlight the real cost of prejudice and the suffering inflicted on innocent lives, making him both a sympathetic and morally inspiring character in the story.