Question

Identity Development of boy in the stripped pajamas

Answer 1

The protagonist’s stage of identity development throughout the story is as follow:

At the beginning of the story, readers can find an identiy Moratorium or a crisis, when He states:  

a) “You don’t mean we’re leaving Berlin?

b) But we had plans,” he protested. “Plans?” asked Mother, raising an eyebrow…”I’m sorry, Bruno,” said Mother, “but your plans are just going to have to wait. We don’t have a choice in this.

In the Middle of the novel, one can discover that it is an identity foreclosure when the protagonist makes a commitment to help Shmuel. This commitment is expressed by Bruno when He states:  

a) Of course, “It would be a great adventure. Our final adventure. I could do some exploring at least.”

b) “And you could help me look for Papa,” said Shmuel. “Why not?” said Bruno.”  

These sentences demonstrate Identity foreclosure because it shows how Bruno was just being a good friend and didn’t even think twice when his curiosity took the best of him to see the other side of the fence before he never saw Shmuel again.  

Also in this part of the story, the autor wanted to show Bruno’s identity diffusion (which occurs when the adolescent does not make a commitment to any particular roles, values, or goals) stating that:

Bruno was just being a good friend and didn’t even think twice when his curiosity took the best of him to see the other side of the fence before he never saw Shmuel again

At the end of the story, readers can find Identity Achievement (which occurs when the protagonist makes a personal decision or commitment) when Bruno said:

 “You’re my best friend, Shmuel,”  

“My best friend for life.”

Shmuel may have opened his mouth to say something back, but Bruno never heard it… despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel’s hand and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.

This was Bruno personal decision to not let his friend down and to stay true to his word. In this end stage of the novel Bruno is a boy with his own mind.