The Boy in the Striped PyjamasLesson 4

Lesson Objectives

•At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:▫Discuss the effects of repetition and

structural patterning on the reader and on the story

▫Identify aspects of Bruno’s father’s character through imaginative and dramatic exploration

Fable

•When a writer repeats phrases or sentences frequently enough for the reader to recognize them and hear their echo in the story.

•A fictional story conveying a moral

Structural Patterning

Group Task

•We’re going to start by doing a sentence-level starter game to investigate why the writer uses structural patterning and how it contributes to the idea of the story as a fable.

•First, what fables do you know?•One feature of a fable is that they often

repeat a phrase or sentence to underline the moral meaning of the story. When these phrases are close enough to one another to echo, it is known as structural patterning.

Task•Each group will be given cards. Look at

the cards and discuss:▫Why the writer uses structural patterning▫What the effect is on the reader▫What the effect of the repetition is on the

story

John Boyne’s thoughts on ‘Striped PJs’ being a fable

• “Considering the serious subject matter of this novel and the fact that I would be taking certain aspects of concentration camp history and changing them slightly in order to serve the story, I felt it was important not to pretend that a story like this was fully based in reality (which was also the reason why I chose never to use the word ‘Auschwitz’ in the novel). My understanding of the term ‘fable’ is a piece of fiction that contains a moral. I hope that the moral at the center of THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS is self-evident to readers.”

Whole Class ReadingLet’s continue our reading of the novel.

Turn to page 55 and continue to the end of chapter 6.

What does Maria mean when she says “Wonder what he... how he can...” (62)

Development

•In pairs, use the drama cards provided to create a conversation between Bruno and his father based on the extract chosen for you.

•Keep the conversation under 3 minutes.

After watching other people’s conversations, have you learnt anything new about Bruno’s relationship with his father?