Forster in his theory of character 46-51 states that characters can also be classified into flat character and round character. In the novel, Bruno experiences
personality changes in his feelings and thoughts. His changes are affected by his new home environments and friendship with Shmuel. That is why he is categorized
as a round character. However, Shmuel is a flat character. He remains the same from the beginning until the end of the story.
In order to analyze characters in a work of literature, Murphy proposes nine methods of characterization. They are personal description, character as seen by
other, speech, past life, conversation of others, reactions, direct comment, thoughts, and mannerism 161-173. In this study, some of the methods are applied in order
to understand the characters of Bruno and Shmuel.
4.1.1.1 Bruno
Bruno is the major character in Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Bruno is a round character because he experiences personality changes which are
the results of his new home’s environment and his friendship with Shmuel. In the novel, Bruno is described as a nine-year-old German boy who comes from a rich
family in Berlin. They have a big house with five floors, cars and lots of servants Boyne 9. Before Bruno comes to Out-with, he lives with his Father, Mother, his
sister Gretel, and the servants. His grandparents also live near to their house. Bruno’s speeches, behaviours, and manners indicate that he is an
adventurous boy. He states that he enjoys exploring and that his dream is to become an explorer Boyne 83. He knows every place in Berlin and can find anything he
wants Boyne 99. When he has leisure times, he likes to reads adventure books
Boyne 153. He loves to read books about the journeys of great explorers. It makes his teacher, Herr Liszt, gets angry because he wants Bruno to study history and
geography, while Bruno prefers reading and art Boyne 97. When comes to adventuring, he is willing to do anything, such as sneaking out of his home and
exploring to Out-With camp, which is actually forbidden to him to go Boyne 55- 56. His exploration allows him to meet Shmuel.
Bruno’s speeches, behaviours, and thoughts show that he is a loving and care person. We can see the example from his love towards his family and friends.
When the family is about to move to the new home, Bruno tries hard to make his family, including his grandparents, to stay together by complaining to mother
Boyne 3-10. Further, Bruno shows great admirations towards his father. When Maria tells him what his father does to save her family, Bruno is really proud of
him Boyne 62. We can also see that Bruno is a care person when he realizes that he misses his grandparents so much and decides to write a letter to them Boyne
93. His love and care can also be seen from his feelings towards his friends, especially Shmuel. Establishing a secret friendship with Shmuel makes Bruno
thinks about him most of the times. Bruno’s routine visits and gifts of food to Shmuel Boyne 134-138 also indicate that he is care about him.
From his speeches and responses towards certain situations, it can be concluded that Bruno is also an honest person. When asked for his opinion about
the new home, he answers honestly that he does not like it. Bruno admits that the reason he always speaks honestly is because he knows that if he hesitates when he
is about to say something, he will not dare to say what he really thinks about that
Boyne 46. Once, Bruno accidentally reveals his friendship with Shmuel to his sister, Gretel. When Gretel demands his explanations about it, he tries to tell a lie
