The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne. I am looking for examples showing that even the most horrific events can disappear through denial.I...

Here are a couple of main themes:
1.
Childhood Innocence. Although Shmuel and Bruno have a lot in
commond the most significant is the childhood innocence which seems to characterize both
boys. Bruno is unaware of his father's Nazi affiliation or that his home is near the
border Auschwitz. Shmuel, although imprisoned, doesn't seem to grasp the severity of his
situation. Shmuel doesn't realize that his father was sent to the gas
chamber.
2. Boundaries. The story also explores both
figurative and literal boundaries of life. Bruno and Shmuel are separated by a fence and
complain that they can never play together. They are also separated by the strict rules
that Germans (Nazi Germans) may not be friends with Jews, Poles, and any other groups
persecuted by Hitler.
There are definitely more horrific events but these
should get you started.