Answer:
John Boyne's novel "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a heart-wrenching story of a young boy, Bruno, and his friendship with a Jewish boy named Shmuel, who is imprisoned in a concentration camp during World War II. The novel is told entirely from Bruno's perspective, and through his innocent and naïve eyes, Boyne conveys a powerful message about the equality of all human beings.
From the beginning of the novel, it is clear that Bruno has been sheltered from the horrors of the war. He is too young to understand the concept of Nazism, and his parents keep him in the dark about the true nature of his father's work. Bruno is portrayed as an innocent child who does not understand the political and social dynamics of the world around him. This allows Boyne to use Bruno's perspective to highlight the universality of human experience and emphasize the idea that all men are equal.
Throughout the novel, Bruno's interactions with Shmuel are characterized by a sense of innocence and curiosity. Bruno does not understand why Shmuel is wearing striped pajamas or why he is so thin and malnourished. He simply sees another child who is in need of a friend. By emphasizing Bruno's innocence, Boyne is able to convey the message that the differences that divide us are ultimately superficial. Underneath our external appearances, we are all the same.
Boyne also uses Bruno's perspective to underscore the idea that hate is learned. Bruno's father, a high-ranking Nazi officer, is portrayed as a distant and unsympathetic figure. Bruno does not understand why his father is so cold towards him, but he senses that there is something wrong with the way his father views the world. This is in stark contrast to Bruno's relationship with his mother, who is warm and loving. By showing how the adults in Bruno's life influence his worldview, Boyne is able to demonstrate that the prejudices that lead to hate are not innate, but are learned through experience.
Perhaps the most poignant example of how Boyne uses Bruno's perspective to convey his message is the scene near the end of the novel, when Bruno and Shmuel are led to the gas chamber. Bruno does not understand what is happening, but he is willing to follow his friend into the darkened room because he knows that Shmuel needs him. In this moment, Bruno's innocence and selflessness are on full display, and Boyne is able to show that even in the face of unimaginable horror, the bonds of friendship and love can overcome the hatred and cruelty that is perpetrated by some members of society.
In conclusion, John Boyne's "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a powerful novel that uses the child's perspective to convey a message about the equality of all human beings. By showing the world through the innocent eyes of Bruno, Boyne is able to emphasize the universality of human experience and the superficiality of the differences that divide us. He also highlights the fact that hate is learned, and that the prejudices that lead to hate can be overcome by love and friendship. Through his masterful use of a child's perspective, Boyne is able to deliver a poignant and powerful message that resonates long after the novel has ended.