a. "She had watched a bomber pilot die in a metal case. She had seen a Jewish man who had twice given her the most beautiful pages of her life marched to a concentration camp"(521). - Liesel has been through so many struggles. Her brother died in front of her, her mother sent her away, and she witnessed almost everyone she loved depart from the world. She had more than enough reasons to quit, but she decided to stay strong through it all.
The death of Liesels brother affected her and caused her to be shy and not want to try and be happy again. This event is one of many events that show how death has affected Liesel as a person.
When Liesel’s brother dies (Chapter 2), we see Liesel struggling to move on. Left at the doorsteps of Hans and Rosa Hubermann with no familiar faces to follow, she refuses to bathe. She has persistent nightmares, and it seems that she can not push past this grief. But in spite of her circumstances, she perseveres. She uses her ever-growing imagination (and the
As she learns to read from “borrowed” books, her self-awareness of the propaganda and unfairness in Germany’s system increases. Bonding closer to Max, Liesel develops a belief in where everyone should have equal treatment as she expresses in outrage why he must stay in hiding. Near the end of The Book Thief, Liesel declares that she “hates Hitler” since she believes that his doing is the root of inequality toward
A foster child in Nazi Germany who's hiding a Jew would not be expected to be selfish but don't judge a book by its cover (see what I did there). As the story plays out, Liesel gets more curious and disregards the well-being of others. Liesel lies to Rudy saying that's all she could find but obviously that wasn't the case. It is evident now that Liesel steals, and along with books she also like to steal food, but only for herself.
To love is to risk. Whether that is risking life, belief, health, or reputation, it is still a risk at any rate to give devotion to another. No era in history knows this better than during the Holocaust. Still, the most unexpected of people would die trying to help Jews escape persecution, they would help others who didn't share the same moral foundation as they did, they would share food rations when they barely had enough for themselves, or they would risk their public standing and forever be labeled as a sympathizer just to help a suffering soul regain his balance. Similarly, Markus Zusak's The Book Thief demonstrates a complete comprehension of how humans act against self preservation and individual comfort when challenged with harrowing situations that appeal to their own personal connections.
One of the most important recurring themes throughout The Book Thief was Liesel’s relationships with all of the people in her life. She grows close with several different people, and trusts, loves, and cares for them all differently but equally. Three of those relationships will be explored more deeply; Liesel’s relationship with her foster father, Hans Hubermann, the Jewish man her family takes in, Max Vanderburg, and her best friend, Rudy Steiner. Liesel’s relationship with Hans is one of the most important, if not the most important, relationships in the novel. Hans is the first person Liesel trusts, and the person who stays with her and loves her until the end.
Memories and Grieving Impacting Ethical and Moral Decisions In J.K Rowling’s novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Mark Zusak’s novel The Book Thief, memories act as an important basis for the actions and choices of characters. Memories of influential people in character’s lives often act as a basis point for his or her ethical or moral beliefs. Thus, when acting or making choices, memories of loved ones and the grief associated with loss are significant in character’s choices.
Liesel has realized she must respect the man who was the reason for her and her entire families suffering. She has realized she officially has lost her home, that she is completely isolated from the community. “It was quite a sight seeing an eleven year old girl try not to cry on church steps, saluting fuhrer”(Zusak 115). After losing all of these emotionally wrecking things Liesel learns and understands she needs to keep going forward. She refuses to give up she although times are rough manages to think, it could be worse.
In addition to glorifying Hitler, saluting symbolizes Hitler’s dominance over his citizens, which subconsciously indoctrinates them and ensures his reign. None of the main characters in The Book Thief stand by Hitler’s beliefs, however, unless they want to be disciplined, they are forced to conform. Due to outside forces, Liesel Meminger’s identity is formed and strengthened. Liesel is able to learn from her relationships, the major events she experiences, and even the culture she is surrounded by, to construct the person she becomes.
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.
Her favorite thing to do with the stolen books was read with her father. Her Papa frequently read with her. “ ‘ Do you want to read it?’ Again, ‘Yes Papa’ “ (Zusak 64). One of Liesel’s friends, Max, is constantly filled with guilt as well.
Liesel, known as the book thief to the audience has a distinct passion for books and how much they mean to her. Stealing book after the book becomes a hobby for the young girl whose love of books is fostered by her foster father, Hans Hubermann. As Hans teaches Liesel how to read and write they develop an
In the Book Thief, Liesel’s life represents beauty in the wake of brutality in her relationship with Ilsa Hermann, in her relationship with Rudy, and in the Hubermann’s house. Ilsa Hermann is the mayor’s wife and her connection to Liesel is through books. Throughout some of the book, Liesel went to the mayor’s library and read with Ilsa Hermann. The beauty is the books and reading, and the brutality is that Ilsa fired Rosa Hubermann and Liesel ripped up the books in the library.
At first, Liesel is illiterate, but when she steals her first book at her brother’s funeral, and is abandoned by her mother, she turns to something she