Politics of Irony in Mark Herman's The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Abstract

The Boy in the Striped Pyjama is an ironic dramatization of horrible ground reality regarding Nazi Holocaust. In an ironic mode the film represents what were rational principles on the basis of which Jews were beaten bullied, lacerated, condemned and executed in the concentration camp. Ralf is the monster who thinks that the callous execution of Jews ensures the progress and security of Germans. Elsa breaks down after she knows that her husband is involved in the Holocaust Concentration Camp. Bruno’s innocent and free mind perceives the reality. Ralf’s own son Bruno becomes the prey of Holocaust where Jews were cremated. Hence the very representation of Nazi Holocaust is entirely problematic. That an anti-Semitic to the brim, full of hatred and ill will for the Jews who is behind the brutal killing of hundreds of Jews loses his own son in greatly ironic.