In the novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, Bruno’s father is given a significant promotion that leads the family to move from their home in Berlin. His new job is as a commandant at a concentration camp, which is referred to in the story as Auschwitz. This position places him in a high-ranking role within the Nazi regime, where he holds authority over both the camp guards and the prisoners housed within the camp.
The assignment to Auschwitz is crucial to understanding the narrative’s backdrop, as it highlights the stark contrast between the innocence of Bruno, a young boy, and the harsh realities of the world his father is a part of. Bruno’s father’s role is not just a career advancement; it symbolizes his deep involvement in the horrific activities of the Nazi party during World War II, which serves as a pivotal point in the story and further explores themes of innocence, moral ambiguity, and the impact of parental influence on a child’s perception of the world.