1. Representing the Dehumanization of Jewish People: The comparison of Jewish people to dolls highlights the systematic process of dehumanization carried out by the Nazis. They were stripped of their individuality, treated as mere objects, and lacked any agency or control over their own lives.
2. Bruno's Perception: Bruno, the young protagonist of the story, perceives the Jewish people in the concentration camp as "dolls" because he is shielded from the full extent of the Holocaust's horrors. To an innocent child like Bruno, the striped pajamas worn by the Jewish prisoners resemble doll clothing, reflecting his limited understanding of the situation.
3. Loss of Innocence: As Bruno interacts with Shmuel, a young Jewish boy living in the concentration camp, he gradually begins to comprehend the harsh reality and the true nature of the Nazi regime. The metaphor of the civilization of dolls evolves into a powerful symbol of the loss of innocence and the realization of the atrocities being committed.
4. Moral Conflict and Empathy: Bruno's discovery that Shmuel is not just a "doll" but a human being with emotions, thoughts, and feelings creates an internal conflict within him. The metaphor highlights the moral struggle Bruno faces as he grapples with empathy and compassion despite the propaganda and conditioning he has been subjected to.
5. Symbol of Ignorance and Denial: The metaphor also serves as a commentary on the willful ignorance and denial of many individuals during the Holocaust. Bruno's initial perception of Jewish people as dolls reflects how some people chose to remain blind to the horrors occurring around them, either consciously or unconsciously.
6. Connection to the Child's Perspective: The civilization of dolls metaphor resonates strongly with the child reader's perspective. Children often view the world through a lens of imagination and simplify complex situations to make sense of them. The metaphor creates a connection between the reader's own understanding and Bruno's limited comprehension of the tragic events.
Overall, the metaphor of the civilization of dolls adds a poignant layer to the narrative of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by embodying the central themes of dehumanization, innocence lost, and the moral conflict arising from the recognition of humanity amidst overwhelming inhumanity.