Anthem (18-51)

Summary

Anthem by Ayn Rand opens up with protagonist Equality 7-2521 being introduced. Equality 7-2521 sticks out from the rest because he is 6 feet tall, used to fight with other his peers when he was a child, and was an autodidactic learner in school, all of which are frowned upon in his society. The society he lives in is controlled by the World Council, people who tell civilians how to think and live. Children live in the Home of Infants until they reach the age of five. After age 5, children age sent to the Home of the Students where they study until age 15. At 15, civilians meet with the Council of Vocation so that they can decide what each person will work as until age 40 when they are considered “worn out” and sent to the Home of the Unless. Equality 7-2521 wanted to be sent to the Home of the Scholars so that he could study and feed his curiosity about the world. However, Council made him e a Street Sweeper. As a Street Sweeper, Equality 7-2521 meet International 4-8818 who made him smiles. They considered each other best friends, which were forbidden because all relationships were to be equal. Together they explored an uncharted forest where they discovered an underground tunnel. The decided they wouldn’t report the tunnel to Council because they would undoubtedly be put to death. For 2 years they returned to the ravine for 3 hours each night. They conducted experiments, dissected animals and all around learned more down there then they had during school.

While sweeping a road beyond the city, Equality 7-2521 sees Liberty 5-3000 from a distance in the Home of the Peasants while . Upon there first encounter, they lock eyes, not fully realizing why. They make eye contact for a couple of days, and even smile at each other. They dared not speak however because it was unlawful to do so with members of other trades. Equality 7-2521 was physically attracted to her. Eventually they spoke. Equality 7-2521 finds himself falling in love with Liberty 5-3000 and goes home singing where he is reprimanded for doing so (council deems it unlawful to sing without reason).

Quote

"...All men are one and that there is no will save the will of all men together" (Rand 20).

Reaction

This quote is considered by Anthem’s society a “Great Truth” because it comes from World Council. No one blatantly questions it. World Council wants everyone to be equal and doesn’t believe in a single person’s beliefs or in this case ‘will’ but instead that of the majority. A single person isn’t important in this society and can easily be put to death with out it affecting others because society is so brainwashed.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (105-160)

Summary

Bruno starts to explore daily after his lessons with Herr Liszt. He wanders to the fence and just as he is about to turn back he sees a boy sitting alone crossed legged with striped pajamas on named Shmuel. Bruno grows curious about the people on the other side of the fence and starts to question Shmuel about it. Shmuel talked about how solders came to his house one day and took him and his family to Out-with. Everyone at the camp had to wear an armband with David’s star on it. Shmuel hates the soldiers. Bruno doesn’t completely understand why since his father is a soldier and thought of him as kind. A week passes and Bruno and his family are having dinner with Kotler. As usual Pavel served them their food and drinks. Bruno couldn’t help notice that Pavel seemed paler and thinner then last time he had seen him and his hands were shaking as he passed the food around. Pavel goes to refill Bruno’s father’s glass when he accidentally drops the bottle onto Kolter’s lap. Kotler gets upset and brutally beats Pavel lets him and watches.

Quote

“I don’t see why I have to be stuck over here on this side of the fence where there is no one to talk to and or to play with and you get to have dozens of friends and probably playing for hours everyday” (Boyne 111).

Reaction

My mouth dropped after reading this. The quote shows how naïve Bruno is. He doesn’t know exactly what goes on the other side of the fence but believes that all the people in stripped pajamas live normally despite what Shmuel tells him. He should have however been sensitive to Shmuel and not have assumed that he plays all day, especially because of how thin, pale and sad he always looks.

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas (55-104)

Summary

Chapter 6 begins with a conversation between Bruno and Maria after she enters to put away his clothes. Still upset about them moving to Out-With, Bruno asks Maria how she feels about the move. She thinks for a while before answering. She isn't personally happy, but she supports Bruno's father and says to trust in him in that he knows best. She tells Bruno about the wonderful things his father has done for her and her family. She thinks that he is a good man, but does not particularly agree with his job. They hear loud and intense foot steps coming up the stairs as they talk. Gretel busts through the door and tells Maria to make her a bath. Bruno stands up for Maria by telling Gretel, she can do it for herself because Maria too is human and can do so many things.

One day Bruno goes to Gretel's room and looks out her window, an Oak Tree catches his attention. He wants to create a tire swing to play on. He has rope but doesn't have a tire, so he thinks to ask Lieutenant Kotler for one. He sees him talking to his sister, who has a crush on Kotler, who helps him get a tire. Bruno builds the tire swing.

Quote

"Pavel came towards them and kotler spoke to him insolently despite the fact that he was young enough to be grandfather" (Boyne 76).

Reaction

This quote shows the authority Lieutenant Kotler has over men in the camp much older then himself. Moments before, he had been talking with Gretel and Bruno in a very friendly way, so to switch from one persona to other was drastic. He is numb when it comes to the people in the striped pajamas. Even Bruno himself said that he was ashamed to be part of it. Bruno realizes that all people deserve respect, because like him, they have thoughts and feelings. Kotler yelling at Pavel let both Gretel and Bruno see another side one of him.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (1-54)

Summary

The story starts out with 9-year-old Bruno coming home and finding out that him and his family are moving. Maria, a family maid, is introduced as well as Lars, a family butler, who are busily helping with packing. Bruno is surprised by the unexpected the move and starts to question why it is that they are doing so. His initial thought was that they were going to stay in Berlin, their hometown, or relatively close. Bruno’s mother seems like she definitely does not want to move. Her eyes were red, as from crying. They are moving far away (from Berlin and extended family). Bruno is highly upset at the thought of leaving his beloved house and 3 best friends. They are moving because of Bruno’s father’s job, which isn’t blatantly said. He left to the new home a few days prior to when the story begins. Bruno’s father is an important man. He wears a uniform and had his family picked up in a car with red and black flags on the outside. Instead of having a numerical address their new house is called “out with”. Bruno doesn’t like the house at all and wants to move back. In the house Bruno encounters a soldier that works for his father, who too wears a uniform and is very serious. Has also has boyishly light blonde hair. After awkward encounter Bruno wanders and finds a window in his room to look out of. Even though he doesn’t quite get along with his sister Gretel, 12 years old, he rushes to her to show her what his view. They see high barbed wire fences, soldiers, and groups of males chained together in striped pajamas, some even crying. Bruno was told never to go into his father’s office, however since his soldiers where gone and he hadn’t seen his father in days, Bruno thought it okay. Bruno’s father was happy to see him and shook his hand. Bruno immediately tells him he wants to go back to Berlin. His father sternly tells him no and to get used to the new house. Before leaving Bruno asks his father who the people he saw out of his window were. His father says that they weren’t people and not to worry about them. Bruno’s father salutes Bruno and says “Heil Hitler” as he exits.

Quote

“At the top of the fence enormous bales of barbed wire were tangled in spirals, and Gretel felt an unexpected pain inside her as she looked at the sharp spikes sticking out all the way around it" (Boyne 32).

Reaction

Even though Bruno and Gretel do not know exactly what it is they are looking at, they get a sense that it is an unpleasant place. Bruno seems to empathize with the people outside of his window then his sister does. Gretel is not really concerned with the fact that they all look unhappy, but with the fact that the people are filthy. She keeps asking why they don’t just take showers, as if it were that simple. She also fails to realize that the men are filthy as a result of heavy labor. Gretel has sort of has a know-it-all attitude unlike her younger brother, her brother who, before making any judgment, tries to understand the gravity of the situation. Bruno senses that they are under strict order of the soldiers, so much so that they may not even permit the men to shower daily.