Unveiling Humanity’s Dilemma: A Critical Analysis of Morality and Compassion in John Boyne’s “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”

Abstract

Humanity, often defined as the epitome of benevolence within the human race, reflects a profound essence of compassion and empathy towards fellow beings. Echoing Leo Tolstoy's assertion that "The sole meaning of life is to serve Humanity," this paper delves into an exploration of humanity's mere existence within the human race. Amidst the devastating tumult of the two Great World Wars, humanity's essence came under intense scrutiny, particularly during the dark shadows of World War II. At the heart of this catastrophic event lay the seeds of destruction sown by an individual, the notorious dictator, Adolf Hitler, whose descent into moral decay stripped him of his once-human traits and compassionate nature. John Boyne's poignant novel, "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas," vividly portrays the horrors perpetuated by Hitler's principles and dictatorship during the Holocaust. The novel painfully depicts the plight of innocent groups, notably the Jewish community, who tragically fell victim to the inhumanity of Hitler's regime. Through the lens of psychological turmoil amidst the Holocaust, the novel also sheds light on the internal conflicts within the Nazi family, whose stringent adherence to ideological boundaries left no room for humane exceptions. The harrowing experiences of the innocent protagonist, Bruno, and his friend Shmuel, serve as a poignant reminder of the tragic consequences that ensued, ultimately claiming their lives in the brutal throes of the Holocaust. Bruno's innocence serves as a lens through which the reader grapples with the moral implications of the Holocaust and the dehumanization of the Jewish community. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, delineates the incidents that took place during Hitler's rule which were analyzed from the perspective of Social Identity Theory. The story clearly portrays how the Nazi beliefs made it very easy for them to create a social categorization of themselves and others (the Jews) and how they internalized their norms, values, and behaviors as a socially desired group. The analysis of the themes of the novel shows that the relationship between ‘Bruno – and Shmuel’ does not have these socially imposed barriers because made them victims of the society which is quite sad – especially for the nation's histories which experienced such divisions.