MGM English School, Rourkela

Class -8

Section- 'A', 'B', 'C'. Year- 2020-21

Subject- English II.

Chapter- 3

Across the fence

Summary:-

This is an extract from the novel “The boy in the striped pyjamas” set during the mass killing of about six
million people mostly European Jews by the German Nazi party led by Adolf Hitler during World War II. Hitler
believed that the Jews were a threat to the German Race. His final solution to get rid of the Jews was to
forcefully drag them to the concentration camps constructed in Poland. Once was also Auschwitz.

Eight year old Bruno’s father has been promoted as commandant of Auschwitz and the family moves there.
Bruno sees people in the distance, but a tall fence cuts him off from them. His father forbids him from
thinking about them but Bruno is not convinced. He encounters a boy named Shmuel wearing what he thinks
are striped pyjamas. The two boys become friends.

One day Shmuel asks for Bruno’s help in finding his missing father. Bruno agrees to cross the fence and help
Shmuel.

The story is about childhood innocence, friendship and the importance of breaking down the fences we put
up around ourselves.

Homework:-

1. Learn the meanings and write in your reader notebook.

2. Read the extract thoroughly.
3. Paste the picture of a fence or bar.
4. Learn and write the question-answer given below in your reader notebook.

Question-answer:-

a) What was Bruno interested in?

Ans. Bruno was interested in exploring his new environment.

b) What did Bruno see from the window of his room?

Ans. Bruno saw people in the distance but there was a tall fence that cut him off from meeting them.
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c) Why was Bruno interested in befriending Shmuel?

Ans. Shmuel shared his birthday but had a different life. So, he was much interested in Shmuel from the
point of view of an explorer.

d) What help did Shmuel seek from Bruno?

Ans. Shmuel asked Bruno to help him finding his missing father.

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