The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Adolf Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Hindenburg

Jan 30, 1933

Later that same year, the Dachau concentration camp is opened.
Note: Historical event

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Period: Jan 30, 1933 to Nov 20, 1945

Timeline of the events in the novel and the events related to the Holocaust and WWII.

The birthdate for both Bruno and Shmuel, the characters in "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"

Apr 15, 1934

Note: Fictional Event
Discussion Question: What is the significance of the boys' "twin" birthdates?

Auschwitz concentration camp constructed

May 1, 1940

Auschwitz, originally constructed to hold political prisoners, soon became the site where Jewish civilians and other "undesirables" were held prisoner under extremely inhumane conditions. Extermination of prisoners began at this site in September of 1941.

Newly built gas chamber opens at Auschwitz

Mar 22, 1943

Note: Historical event

"The Fury" and a "beautiful blonde woman" have dinner at Bruno's house

May 1, 1943

Note: Fictional event/ date approximate. This event takes place on week before the narration proper.
Discussion question: Bruno misunderstands the reference to Hitler as "The Fuhrer" and instead thinks of him as "The Fury." What does the author accomplish by creating this bit of wordplay?
This event is later shown in flashback. What does the author accomplish by using this technique?

Bruno discovers that he and his family are moving because of his father's new job

May 7, 1943

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated.

Bruno and his family arrive at their new house

May 14, 1943

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated. Discussion question: Bruno misunderstands Gretel when she calls their new home "Out With" (Auschwitz). What does the author achieve with this additional bit of word play?

Bruno and Gretel see the concentration camp out of Bruno's window

May 16, 1943

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated.

Bruno builds a tire swing, suffers a small injury, learns Pavel's story

May 23, 1943

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated.
Discussion question: Why does Mother tell Pavel to lie about who tended to Bruno's injury?

Bruno's grandparents visit, his grandmother expresses her disapproval

Jun 10, 1943

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated.
Discussion question: Why does Bruno's grandmother say that Bruno's father looked like a "puppet on a string" in his uniform?

Herr List begins tutoring Bruno and Gretel

Jun 20, 1943

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated.
Discussion question: Why does Herr List discourage the reading of fiction?

Bruno meets Shmuel

Jun 30, 1943

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated. Discussion question: What is the significance of the title for this chapter, "The Dot that Became a Speck That Became a Blob That Became a Figure that Became a Boy"?

Bruno learns Shmuel's story

Jul 10, 1943

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated. Discussion question: What is the significance of the discussion of the two types of armbands?

Lieutenant Kotler beats Pavel for spilling wine

Jul 30, 1943

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated. Discussion question: Did being questioned about his father's loyalties contribute to Lieutenant Kotler's cruel treatment of Pavel?

Bruno discovers Shmuel working in his home

Sep 1, 1943

Fictional event. Date approximated. Discussion question: Why does Bruno lie about giving Shmuel food and about knowing Shmuel?

Bruno's grandmother dies

Feb 1, 1944

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated. Discussion question: What is the significance of the wreath Hitler sent?

Gretel's room changes

Feb 7, 1944

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated. Discussion question: What is the significance of Gretel's exchanging her childhood dolls for Nazi propaganda?

Bruno and Gretel get lice, Bruno's head is shaved, Mother demands that she and the children be allowed to return home.

Mar 1, 1944

Note: Fictional event. Dates approximated. Discussion question: Bruno's mother says, "I knew something like this would happen in a place like this." What is the significance of her statement?

Mother, Gretel, and Bruno plan to return to Berlin, Shmuel's father goes missing, Bruno agrees to help Shmuel find his father.

Mar 14, 1944

Note: Fictional event. Date approximated.

Bruno sneaks into camp to help Shmuel

Mar 15, 1944

Bruno disguises himself and sneaks into camp to help Shmuel find his father. The boys, along with other prisoners, are rounded up and executed in the Auschwitz gas chamber.

Family searches for Bruno

Apr 15, 1944

The family searches for Bruno, never to learn of his fate Note: Fictional event. Date approximated. Discussion question: Why do you think the author ended the story with the family not finding out what happened to Bruno?

Anne Frank and her family are arrested and sent to Auschwitz. Anne later dies of typhus.

Aug 4, 1944

Note: Historical event.

Last use of the gas chamber at Auschwitz

Oct 22, 1944

Note: Historical event.

Russian troops liberate Auschwitz

Jan 27, 1945

Note: Historical event

Hitler commits suicide

Apr 30, 1945

Note: Historical event

German surrender signed by General Alfred Jodl

May 7, 1945

Note: Historical event.