If you disagree with a rule, law, or public policy, it is better to remain silent than to speak out and risk punishment.



I disagree with this statement. When we first took a look at these statements before reading the book, my opinion was the same, and reading the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas just made my opinion even stronger. I believe that if your thoughts different with a rule, law, or a policy and if you think that the policy is wrong, it is better to speak out. Of course, if there is a punishment following it makes one not want to speak up. I'm not saying that I think everyone should speak up no matter the consequences, I am saying that it is better to state your opinion rather than just being silent and going with the flow.


In the book, the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, most of the members of the household do not speak up. In page 40, Bruno's mother was saying her opinion about Father's job and the moving, and she was very startled when she saw that Maria the maid was standing there. Later when Bruno was asking for Maria's opinion of the house and Father's decision, she wanted to say something but she didn't. Both of these examples show how people were afraid to speak up when the Nazis ruled. This is understandable, for they could have easlily been killed if they said anything against the party, but if everyone spoke up one after another, things could have reached a point where the Nazis no longer had control.


Although I set the above as an example, my disagreeing to the statement doesn't have to apply to such big things only. For example, if you're part of a group that is hosting an event and everyone except you agree on an idea that you think is absolutely stuipd, it's better to say so rather than just saying 'yeah that's a good idea'. The consequence might be a cold stare from some of the others and maybe being ignored for some time, but chances are you could make a change, and there's probably someone else who actually agrees with you. Although often it doesn't seem like it, there are always people who agree with you, but are too afraid too say so, and is waiting for someone else to pop the question. You usually have more allies than you think, and when people agree on something and group together, the punishment might not be able to reach you.