Courage In Markus Zusak's The Book Thief

Dehumanization is the process by which the Nazis gradually reduced the Jews to little more than "things" which were a nuisance to them. The Jews in these concentration camps were greatly disrespected. They experienced several beatings, were undernourished, and overworked. Elie and the other Jews eventually lost faith in God, and witness unpleasant events never to be seen again.

The theme of this book is learning to love and care for the people around. How I came to this conclusion is by how Liesel acts towards Max, her foster parents, Rudy, and her neighbors. Liesel cares for people even if they weren't like her and she doesn't understand why there is hatred in this world. She wanted the world to be a happy place for everyone including Jews to be friends with one another. On page 426 in ‘The Book Thief’, when Rudy’s father went to war Liesel could relate to Rudy because “her mother. Her brother. Max Vandenburg. Hans Hubermann. All of them gone. And she’d never even had a real father.” Also, when Mama was depressed about Papa going to war, Mama would sleep with Papa’s accordion Liesel acknowledged “that there was great beauty in what she was currently witnessing, and she chose not to disturb it” (Zusak, 429). Finally, when Liesel’s papa gave a Jew bread during the parade and what Liesel did during the parade, she gave Jews bread by placing them in the street.

What is a friend? A common response to this question seems to be someone who accepts another for who they are. Another less used response to the same question is someone who leave another better than they once were. These two half definitions of friendship come to gather to explain that friend is someone who takes another how they already are and leaves that better than their previous state. True friendship often adds loyalty to ones character resulting in acts of courage. One of the strongest examples of the previous statement in found in the friendship of Liesel Meminger and Max Vandenburg in Markus Zusak’s writing, The Book Thief. Through her friendship with Max, Liesel’s rebellious behavior changes and she becomes more loyal, resulting

5. Hans gains Liesel’s trust through patience and understanding. Whenever she would cry or wake up from a nightmare, he would be there for her and protect her. He would say “Shhh, I’m here, it’s alright” to console her and let her know that he won’t leave her. (Zusak 36) He would also change the sheets whenever she would wet the bed with no complaints. He also would eventually teach her how to read. I think Liesel is not a substitute for Han’s children because he loves her as if she was her biological daughter. They become very good friends and start to have a close relationship,

A main reason Liesel develops into the character she is by the end of the novel is due to the individuals she meets and her relationships with them. When Hans Hubermann becomes

When she arrives, she lacks the knowledge of reading and writing until Hans teaches her. Once Liesel is efficient in both reading and writing, she decides to write letters to her birth mother. While Liesel is waiting countless days for a response, Hans encounters the idea of writing Liesel back in place of her mother (Zusak 97). He denies this idea by saying, “‘You know, Liesel? I nearly wrote you a reply and signed your mother’s name. (…) I couldn’t. I couldn’t bring myself’” (Zusak 97). The use of Han’s morals allows the reader to view his decision as courageous due to his actions. If Hans were to write a reply to Liesel’s letters, Hans would be seen as a character who lacks integrity. When a character lacks integrity, he faces the fear of not being able to do what is right for

: This passage is significant to the novel because it reminds the reader that no matter how much pain and suffering Liesel feels, she lives in a safer “world” than characters like Max. But death migrates from Liesel’s pain and travels to Max’s. Max has lost his entire family and faces persecution, but his true pain lies within him. He left his family to die; he is risking another family’s life, and is constantly belittled for being Jewish. This is why this quote is important, it shows the reader not only the physical, but mental pain that the citizens of Germany

In the novel, Liesel’s behavior shows justice and love through her friendship with Max. Although her relationship with Max in the beginning of the book was rather awkward, soon her perspective towards Max soothes and their relationship bonds to a friendship. There are some times when Liesel’s actions were unbelievable, especially during the Jew parade. “ ‘ You have to let go of me Liesel.’ He even tried to push her away, but the girl was too strong.’” (511) The time of the Holocaust was hell-like for the Jews. Just because of their religion, they were harassed and and abused by the Germans in inhumane ways. However, Liesel was a girl who stood up for humanity and justice. In front of the whole nation, she ran up to Max and hugged him tight. She knew the people would not support her, and rather turn their back at her, but Liesel valued justice more than the atmosphere in German. Liesel’s bravery shows the readers how much she truly loved Max, and she cared about him more than just a Jew hiding in her basement. And the significant part of this scene is a hug. A warm hug

Throughout the story people stayed relaxed around him because of his positive, easygoing attitude. “Sitting in the water, she imagined the smell of it, mapped out on her papa’s clothes. More than anything, it was the smell of friendship, and she could find it on herself too. Liesel loved that smell. She would sniff her arm and smile as the water cooled around her” (72). This quote demonstrates how Papa calmed and comforted the people around him, especially Liesel. At first, Liesel struggled to feel safe or comfortable around people, then she bonded with her new papa, Hans Hubermann. “It took nearly fifteen minutes to coax her from the car. It was the tall man who did it. Quietly” (28). Liesel had no intention of going inside her new foster home on Himmel Street, until Hans spoke with her. Liesel immediately gravitated to the calm air surrounding Hans. Even though she had lost her brother and her mother, Liesel felt comfortable around Hans after a few short minutes. Yet again, this illustrates how Hans exhibited a positive, comforting quality despite living under the horrors of Nazi

Max Vandenburg appeared at 33 Himmel street looking for refuge from the German authorities, in the home of his late father 's friend, Hans Hubermann. Rosa and Hans took Max into their home, fed him, and nursed him back to health after he fell ill due to the severe cold in the dark hubermann basement. Although Rosa and Hans provided necessities, Liesel provided Max with well needed company and friendship. “At least once a day, hans Hubermann would descend the basement steps and share a conversation. Rosa would occasionally bring a spare crust of bread. It was when Liesel came down, however, that Max found himself interested in life again.” (Page 250). From the day Max left the Hubermann household in fear of being found, Liesel made sure to look

Forty million people a day view Instagram stories, 79% of teenagers use Snapchat once a day, and 51% use it at least eleven times a day. In fact, teenagers use on average five screens a day (Patel, “10 Tips”). The use of social media makes teenagers happier and cures their boredom after school. However, problems arise when young people find all their satisfaction on social media. All this time spent on social media and whether you get enough “likes” could result in a bad outcome and cause poor health. Some teenagers know social media leads to loss of sleep, more anxiety issues, and even failing to communicate with the outside world (Schupak, “Does Technology”). The Book Thief by Markus Zusak has a similar theme. Set in World War II, Liesel, the main character gets taken from her mother to live with the Hubermanns on Himmel Street and her brother perishes along the way. She grows close to her new papa Hans, mama Rosa, as well as Rudy, a boy who influences her tremendously. Her family welcomes a Jewish man named Max, into hiding in their basement. Max and Liesel gain a very strong friendship until he must leave for the family’s safety. In the end, the Allied Powers bomb the city, leaving Liesel as the lone survivor, leaving Liesel to face an extremely difficult time. In the end, the narrator, Death, reunites her with Max. Liesel lives a wonderful life and passes peacefully. In the novel, The Book Thief, Zusak proves the satisfaction found in corruption and harmful choices

Both these protagonists happen to be political refugees avoiding Nazi persecution: Liesel’s parents were Communists and Max is a Jew. Max and Liesel alike have recurring nightmares about the last time they saw their families and these help Max and Liesel link themselves in areas where no one would understand their pain due to the loss of their family. Unlike most relationships theirs is based on their similar past and personalities as well as unspoken understanding along with the trust for each other. These similarities form a strong bond between Max and Liesel and this makes “The Standover Man”, a book compiled by Max using pages from “Mein Kampf” important, as Max helps Liesel realize that the power of words can be used to delight as well as harm others. “The best standover man I’ve ever known is not a man at all...”, a line within “The Standover Man” implies that Max believes that Liesel and he need each other and this friendship is unique to both of

Her arrival on Himmel Street, leaves Liesel struggling to face the abandonment she has experienced with her mother leaving her for a reason she does not understand and the devastating loss of her brother, Werner, whose ghost haunts her throughout the novel. Liesel’s only connection to them is through The Grave Digger’s Handbook which is also her first act of book thievery. Han is Liesel’s silver eyed, accordion playing foster father who wins her over with his gentle humility, quiet nature and caring demeanour. ‘They were made of kindness and silver… Liesel when seeing those eyes understood that Hans Hubermann was worth a lot.’ (Zusak 2005, pg. 34). Liesel associates his accordion playing with the presence of safety. When asked about the character

People with lack of acceptance have differences in personalities, experiences, and behaviors. There are many major similarities and differences concerning the characters in “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keys and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.

The next example occurs when Max, a young Jewish man, shows up at the Hubermann’s doorstep. On page 196 the text says, “Max made his way to Munich and Molching, and now he sat in a stranger’s kitchen, asking for the help he craved and suffering the condemnation he felt he deserved.” During this period of time, harboring a Jew was incredibly dangerous, as it was punishable by being taken away to labor camps, or worse, getting handed over to Death. The Hubermanns were committing an almost inconceivable act of self-sacrifice by hiding Max. This is furthered when, following Max’s arrival, the Nazi Party begins checking basements to see if they would make a good air raid shelter. For instance, on page 340 the text displays, “As the Nazis progressed down the street, painting the letters LSR on some of the doors, the ball was passed through the air to one of the bigger kids, Klaus Behrig. The boy turned with the ball just as Liesel arrived, and they collided with such force that the game stopped automatically.” When Liesel discovers that the NSAPD is checking houses, she swiftly figures out a way to warn her family, although it could mean injury. She is sacrificing herself so that her family will have a chance to notify Max to hide. To some this may seem like a very small sacrifice, but Liesel is just a young girl and this small sacrifice very well could have been the difference between the Nazis