The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Chapter 16 Summary

How It All Goes Down

The Haircut

  • Almost a year has passed since Bruno and his family left Berlin, and when his grandmother dies, they go back for the funeral.
  • Back in Auschwitz, Bruno asks Gretel why the fence is there and she says it's to keep the Jews separate.
  • Bruno asks if they're Jews (um, really?) and Gretel says no, they're the opposite of Jews.
  • Before Bruno can get more answers, though, Gretel screams—there are lice in her hair and in Bruno's.
  • After his father shaves his head, Bruno's surprised by how much he looks like Shmuel.