The boy in the striped pyjamas: a blessing or curse for Holocaust education

This essay analyses the effectiveness of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas as a pedagogic tool in Holocaust education. Drawing upon an empirical study conducted on 298 students’ preconceptions of the Holocaust, it suggests that the book and the film have had a large influence on existing ideas and have helped to establish problematic misconceptions. By highlighting its historicalinaccuracies and skewed moral messages, this essay suggests that The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is principally a curse for Holocaust education. It concludes by considering practical responses to the story’s popularity and how its negative impact can be reduced. (By the author)