Sunday, August 22, 2010

How has Pavel changed in the novel The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?

Pavel is one of the Jewish prisoners at Auschwitz who works inside Bruno's home peeling vegetables and waiting on the family during dinner. Pavel befriends Bruno in Chapter 7 after witnessing Bruno fall from his makeshift tire swing. While Pavel is bandaging Bruno's knee, Bruno mentions that Pavel is a rather thin old man with angular features. Bruno also notices that Pavel typically has a solemn look on his face which indicates his unhappiness. As the novel progresses, Pavel gradually becomes thinner, and Bruno mentions that he looks smaller each week. Bruno notices that the color in Pavel's cheeks is gone, and his eyes appear heavy with tears. While Pavel is serving dinner in Chapter 13, his hands begin to shake, and he is forced to put them against the wall to maintain his balance. Pavel is also less responsive and has to be called several times to refill glasses during dinner. Pavel is clearly suffering from malnutrition and showing its effects. His rapid weight loss and unhealthy appearance indicate that he hasn't eaten a substantial meal in a while. Unfortunately, Pavel spills wine on Lieutenant Kotler and is beaten badly. After the beating, Pavel is not mentioned for the remainder of the novel. One can infer that Pavel either died from the injuries inflicted during the beating, was taken to the gas chamber, or passed away due to malnutrition.

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