Chapter 6- The Overpaid Maid

• On pg 60 Bruno reveals a radical shift in his perspective and understanding of Maria. What is this radical shift? What does this show is developing in Bruno? When Bruno can't get the opinions of any other members of the family or their thoughts of their new home, Bruno turns to Maria for how she thinks about this new house, she tells him about her life before working for their family and the troubles she went through, its when she told him this that he realised that Maria wasnt just some lifeless object that did whatever she wanted but had a life and feelings, that she too once had friends and family aswell as he did.
• Compare how Bruno and Gretel treat Maria. Excert from pg 63 --(below)

 /Bruno recognised footsteps pounding up the stairs towards them, quicker and quicker, and he crawled back on the bed, pressing himself against the wall, suddenly afraid of what was going to happen next. He held his breath, expecting trouble, but it was only Gretel, the Hopeless Case. She poked her head through the doorway and seemed surprised to find her brother and the family maid engaged in conversation.
"What's going on"? asked Gretel. 'Nothing' said Bruno defensively. 'What do you want? Get out.'
'Get out yourself,' she replied even though it was his room, and the turned to look at Maria, narrowing her eyes suspiciously as she did so. 'Run me bath, Maria, will you?' she asked. 'Why cant you run your own bath?' snapped Bruno. 'Because she's the maid,' said Gretel, staring at him. 'That's what she's here for.'
'Thats not what she's her for,' shouted Bruno, standing up and marching over to her. 'She's not here to do things for us all the time, you know. Especially things that we can do ourselves.' Gretel stared at him as if he had gone mad and then looked at Maria, who shook her head quickly.

This Excert clearly shows the difference in views of maria roles in the household between Bruno and Gretel.

• (pg 65) What is Maria's advice to Bruno about 'keeping safe'? Why do you think that she gives this advice? Do you think that it is good or bad advice? Maria tells Bruno not to speak to about moving to the new house otherwise Father could turn on Maria or Bruno and they could be punished.
• (65-6) What is Bruno's reaction to his new thoughts/feelings? Why do you think that he reacts this way? He shouts at Gretel about how she treats Maria and her dependance on her, like she is their slave, he was like Gretel before, but now when he realises about Maria that she has feelings and is a normal human being and doesnt want to do things like him, he defends her.