I agree that an element of artistic license was used, but also bear in mind that Shmuel is the only child we see in that particular work group, and being so small he was probably largely ignored by the guards, who would've taken more sick pleasure in belittling and abusing grown men their size than a little boy.
He was also hidden behind the pile of rubble for about 90% of the time he was talking to Bruno, and he used the wheelbarrow as a cover for why he spent so much time out in the far corner of the camp. I expect he was supposed to be moving rubble out from the building of the new hut, and being so little nobody would've expected him to finish that job quickly.
I also assumed from the summoning whistle that that group of prisoners were pretty much left to get on with their tasks until the whistle sounded, as otherwise the guards would've just called them to order. We can tell from the woodland surrounding that part of the fence and the proximity to Bruno's house that their conversations take place in what is right at the edge of the camp, not in the centre of the complex. Less prisoners wandering about there, and therefore less guards.
One could argue that the guards would have seen Bruno, but he was partly camouflaged by the woodland behind him, and small enough to be hidden by the rubble just as Shmuel was.
The mirror... it's broken.
Yes, I know. I like it that way. Makes me look the way I feel.
reply
share