Character	Key Traits	Explanation	Evidence / Quote
Bruno	Innocent, curious, adventurous, compassionate	Bruno’s innocence allows him to see Shmuel as a friend rather than focusing on differences. His naivety makes him endearing but also vulnerable to danger.	“He’s got the same birthday as me… we’re really alike.”
Shmuel	Patient, cautious, resilient, kind	Shmuel has grown up under fear and oppression. Despite this, he trusts Bruno and forms a genuine friendship, showing empathy and strength in a harsh environment.	“I have to be very careful what I say or do… or I could get into trouble.”
Bruno’s Father	Authoritative, disciplined, loyal to orders	He represents obedience to authority and moral compromise. His belief in duty over morality allows him to enforce cruel policies.	“We have to obey orders… it’s for the good of the country.”
Bruno’s Mother	Compassionate, caring, protective	She struggles with the consequences of living near the camp and her husband’s role in the Nazi regime, showing the emotional toll of war on families.	“I just wish you could understand how much danger we’re all in here.”
Maria (Housemaid)	Loyal, empathetic, quiet strength	Maria observes and supports the family while navigating social hierarchies, representing everyday people affected by power and oppression.	–

Bruno

Bruno is the protagonist and the lens through which we experience the story. He is eight years old, curious, adventurous, and deeply innocent. His understanding of the world is limited, which makes him both endearing and tragically vulnerable. Bruno’s innocence allows him to see Shmuel not as “different” because he is Jewish, but as a friend and someone who shares common interests with him. His ability to look past prejudice demonstrates the purity of a child’s perspective, but it also blinds him to the dangers around him. Bruno’s naivety ultimately leads him into situations that are far more dangerous than he can comprehend, highlighting the tragic consequences of innocence in a cruel world. For example, he says, “He’s got the same birthday as me… we’re really alike,” showing how he focuses on similarity rather than difference.

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Shmuel

Shmuel is a Jewish boy of the same age as Bruno, imprisoned in the concentration camp. Unlike Bruno, Shmuel’s innocence has been shaped by suffering and fear. He is quiet, patient, and cautious, yet he still trusts Bruno enough to form a close friendship. Shmuel represents the human spirit under oppression, showing resilience, hope, and loyalty even in the worst circumstances. His interactions with Bruno are touching because they remind readers that friendship and empathy can transcend even the harshest divisions. Shmuel often has to be careful, as he explains: “I have to be very careful what I say or do… or I could get into trouble.” This shows how children in extreme situations grow up quickly, learning caution and survival in ways that Bruno cannot yet understand.

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Bruno’s Father

Bruno’s father is a high-ranking Nazi officer, embodying authority, discipline, and a commitment to duty. He is proud of his work and believes he is serving his country, but this strict obedience comes at a moral cost. His position allows him to enforce cruel policies, and he prioritizes rules and orders over the well-being of others, including his own family at times. Through his father, the novel explores how ordinary people can become complicit in atrocities when they follow authority blindly. His belief in duty over morality is evident when he says, “We have to obey orders… it’s for the good of the country.” This line shows how authority and ideology can justify inhumane actions.

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Bruno’s Mother

Bruno’s mother provides a contrast to his father, embodying compassion, care, and emotional intelligence. She struggles with the reality of living near a concentration camp and with her husband’s role in enforcing Nazi policies. She deeply cares for her children and often worries about their safety, trying to shield them from the harsh truths of their environment. Her concern demonstrates the emotional toll of war and cruelty on ordinary families. She pleads, “I just wish you could understand how much danger we’re all in here,” reflecting her awareness of both moral and physical risks surrounding them.

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Maria (Housemaid)

Maria, the family’s housemaid, represents loyalty, empathy, and quiet strength. She observes the family dynamics and the tension caused by the father’s position while providing support and comfort to the children. Maria’s role, though secondary, highlights social hierarchy, showing how individuals from lower classes often navigate both personal loyalty and systemic oppression. Her presence reminds readers of the everyday people who silently bear witness to injustice.