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An eager and exceptionally intelligent boy, Frederick may initially seem like an ideal candidate for an elite boarding school such as Schulpforta. The physical and psychological abuse that he endures during his time there, however, proves that he is not the kind of boy that the Germans are interested in recruiting for the war effort. Frederick comes from a wealthy Berlin family and has the pale complexion that the Nazis value, yet neither of these factors are enough to save him from the brutality that pervades the school. Rather than buying into the aggressive mentality that the teachers and older students emphasize, Frederick maintains his gentle character and upholds his moral code. His passion for science and studying birds is evident almost immediately, and the friendship that he develops with Werner is a testament to his open heart. Especially in the context of Schulpforta, Frederick symbolizes innocence and purity. This attitude, along with his slim frame and poor eyesight, becomes a significant weakness for him as his superiors only care about strength and dominance. Frederick falls victim to a number of attacks from his peers as a result, and Werner even begins to distance himself from him despite feeling sorry for his friend.
The violence that he experiences at Schulpforta takes a major toll on Frederick and ultimately leaves him with brain damage that changes his life. While he endures numerous beatings, the most severe one occurs after he refuses to throw ice cold water onto an already dead prisoner. His inaction serves as a protest against the brutality of the Nazi regime, and his superiors respond by ensuring that he can no longer challenge their values. Frederick leaves the school having lost virtually everything that made him who he was, including his brilliant intellect. This dramatic change emphasizes the idea that no one, regardless of background, is immune from the threat of the Nazis’ political agenda. The German boys at Schulpforta turn on Frederick just as quickly as they kill the frozen prisoner, normalizing acts of violence. Frederick’s suffering and departure weigh heavily on Werner, however, and these thoughts contribute to his broader struggle to come to terms with his role in the war effort. When he visits Frederick at home in Berlin, the mindless shell of a boy whom he encounters serves as a painful reminder of the destructive force that he remains a part of.
