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In Chapter 2, why does Maria change her behavior when the soldier comes in? What does this suggest?

In Chapter 2, Bruno seeks Maria's opinion on their move from Berlin to "Out-With." Maria is the family's maid or housekeeper, and she tries to avoid speaking her mind. However, Bruno continues to lament about his father and their situation. Maria eventually tells Bruno how his father took care of her mother and offered her a job. While Bruno comments that he is tired of hearing about his father's important job, there is noise outside...

In Chapter 2, Bruno seeks Maria's opinion on their move from Berlin to "Out-With." Maria is the family's maid or housekeeper, and she tries to avoid speaking her mind. However, Bruno continues to lament about his father and their situation. Maria eventually tells Bruno how his father took care of her mother and offered her a job. While Bruno comments that he is tired of hearing about his father's important job, there is noise outside in the hallway, and a young blonde soldier enters the room. When the soldier enters, Maria bows her head towards the ground and holds her hands before her like a person praying. Maria only relaxes when the soldier leaves. One way to interpret Maria's behavior is as a suggestion that she may be Jewish. Her solemn attitude and refusal to look into the soldier's eyes may imply that she feels inferior to or threatened by the German soldier. She is also nervous and is careful not to move or speak in front of him. Readers are never explicitly told about Maria's ethnic or religious background, but it is possible to read her cautious behavior as implying that she may be Jewish, and that she may fear for her well-being in the presence of German soldiers.

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