Maria

The smart maid

Maria from the novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne is Bruno's family’s maid and one of his closest confidants. She is the daughter of Bruno's grandmother’s former dresser. When her mother fell ill, Bruno's father took care of Maria's family. He paid the medical bills and, after her mother's death, the funeral expenses. He also hired Maria as his maid. 

Maria is very grateful to Bruno's father and calls him a "good man". However, she has also noticed the change in Bruno's father and does not understand how he can now do such work, torturing and killing other people. "He has a lot of kindness in his soul, truly he does, which makes me wonder …" (Chapter 6, 67%). She has a very good opinion of Bruno's father and defends him even ...