Perspective: Night is a memoir written by Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor who was imprisoned in several concentration camps during World War II. The novel is told from Wiesel's own perspective, and it provides a firsthand account of the atrocities he witnessed and experienced. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, on the other hand, is a work of fiction told from the perspective of a young German boy named Bruno. Bruno is the son of a Nazi commandant, and he is completely unaware of the horrors that are taking place in the concentration camp that is located near his home.
Setting: Night is set primarily in the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buchenwald. The novel depicts the harsh and brutal conditions that prisoners were forced to endure, including starvation, disease, and torture. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, on the other hand, is set in a Nazi concentration camp in Poland. However, the novel focuses primarily on the friendship between Bruno and Shmuel, a Jewish boy who is imprisoned in the camp.
Characters: The characters in Night are all based on real people who survived the Holocaust. Wiesel's experiences in the concentration camps are recounted in great detail, and the novel provides a powerful indictment of the Nazi regime and its atrocities. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, on the other hand, features some fictional characters, such as Bruno and his family. However, the novel also incorporates real historical figures, such as Adolf Hitler and Josef Mengele.
Themes: Both Night and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas explore similar themes, such as the dehumanization of Jews, the importance of hope, and the resilience of the human spirit. However, each novel emphasizes different aspects of these themes. Night focuses on the physical and psychological toll that the Holocaust took on its victims, while The Boy in the Striped Pajamas highlights the innocence of children and the power of friendship in the face of adversity.
Conclusion: Night and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas are both powerful and moving novels that offer unique perspectives on the horrors of the Holocaust. While both novels share some common themes, they also differ in several key ways. Night provides a firsthand account of the atrocities committed by the Nazis, while The Boy in the Striped Pajamas explores the Holocaust from the perspective of an innocent child. Both novels are essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the horrors of the Holocaust and its lasting impact on humanity.