How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
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)
Honesty is a really big deal for Bruno. Of course, he's not perfect and lies about his Jewish friend, Shmuel, (he tells Gretel he's imaginary) and he lies again when Kotler asks if he knows Shmuel. Okay, but besides those two times he's an honest guy…
Quote #2
"Well they don't," said Bruno, not wishing to judge [the children] before he met them but going by appearances, which Mother had told him time and time again not to do. (3.146)
Ah, so some of his sense of morality comes from his mother. But wait a second… isn't she the one married to an SS commandant? And isn't she living super close to a concentration camp, where people are being killed every single day as a result of judging people superficially? We think she might want to reassess her priorities… But at least she talks the talk to her kid.
Quote #3
"I wonder if you are being brave […] rather than merely disrespectful. Perhaps that's not such a bad thing." (5.272)
Here, Bruno's father calls him out for complaining about the new house. Ethically speaking, is it better to state your feelings and be disrespectful, or is better to stay quiet and be respectful? When it comes to the Holocaust, we're inclined to go with the first option.