What are some examples of figurative language used in The Boy In The Striped Pajamas?

In "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne, figurative language is used extensively to convey themes, emotions, and the perspectives of the characters, particularly that of the young protagonist, Bruno. Here are some examples:

1. Metaphor:

   • The title itself is a metaphor. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" refers to Shmuel, a Jewish boy in a concentration camp uniform, which Bruno perceives as pajamas. This metaphor highlights Bruno's innocence and misunderstanding of the true nature of the camp.

2. Simile:

   • "The house in Berlin had stood on a quiet street and alongside it was another big house that Bruno always thought of as being 'the same as our house but not the same.' Like a mirror image." This simile emphasizes the similarity yet distinctness Bruno perceives in his surroundings.
   • “He felt as if he were the king of the world.” This simile is used to describe Bruno's feelings of excitement and freedom when he’s exploring his new home.

3. Personification:

   • “The fury of a storm gathered around the house and ran up and down the walls like a great cat.” This personification of the storm conveys the tension and impending danger surrounding the family's move and the ominous atmosphere.
   • “His mind was in a whirl, unable to focus on anything specific, drifting from one thought to another like a desert blown sand.” Here, Bruno’s thoughts are personified to illustrate his confusion and sense of being overwhelmed.

4. Imagery:

   • Boyne uses vivid imagery to paint scenes and evoke emotions, such as describing the bleak and barren landscape of the concentration camp: “The buildings all around were in ruins, and the open spaces were filled with soldiers and barbed wire, with no grass or flowers to be seen.”

5. Hyperbole:

   • “There’s nothing but trees for miles.” Bruno uses hyperbole to express his frustration and exaggeration of his sense of isolation in his new home.

6. Irony:

   • There is situational irony in the stark contrast between Bruno’s innocence and the horrors of the concentration camp. For instance, Bruno’s perception of the camp as an "adventure" and his failure to understand its true nature contrasts sharply with the reader’s understanding of the camp's grim reality.
   • Dramatic irony is present throughout the novel, where the reader knows more about the situation than Bruno does, adding a layer of poignancy and tension to the narrative.

These examples of figurative language enrich the novel, providing deeper insight into the characters' emotions, enhancing the storytelling, and effectively communicating the novel's themes of innocence, friendship, and the horrors of the Holocaust.