PLEASURE IN JOHN BOYNE’S DARK-THEMED NOVEL ENTITLED THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS

Abstract

The aims of the research are (1) to define the dark themes contained in John Boyne’s The
Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, and (2) to reveal how the dark themes represent the pleasure of
the main characters. Therefore, the researcher applies children’s literature and pleasure of
children’s literature theories. The findings of the research show that there are five dark
themes found in the novel. They are the children’s anger, people’s oppression toward
children, children’s sadness, children’s insecurity, and children’s dark environment. The
dark themes represent the oppression toward the main characters and their response upon it.
The researcher found three main categories on how pleasure is embodied in the novel. They
are the pleasure of observing, the pleasure of learning, and the pleasure of understanding.
Therefore, pleasure becomes an important element in children’s literature.
Keywords: John Boyne‟s The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, children‟s literature, dark themes
in children‟s literature, pleasure of children‟s literature.