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Importance Of Words In Markus Zusak's The Book Thief

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“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak takes place in Germany during the rise of the Nazis. Abandoned by her father and her mother dead Liesel is adopted by the Hubermanns. Her papa helps her learn to read because she was struggling in school. Leisel ends up stealing books earning her the nickname the book thief. One major theme is “Words are important and that you should be careful how you use them.” In the beginning of the story Liesel mentions that she was at a boarding house when she first heard the word communist. -(pg 31) “At one boarding house, there was a healthier woman who tried to teach children to write using charcoal on the wall. Liesel was tempted to ask her the meaning, but it never eventuated. One day, that woman was taken away …show more content…

In his dream he is in a boxing match with Hitler. After getting knocked down Max gets back up and ends up winning the fight. Hitler shouts to the crowd convincing the crowd to come up and fight Max with him saying how together they could defeat him. (pg 254) -“In the basement of 33 Himmel Street, Max Vandenburg could feel the fists of the entire nation. One by he they climbed into the ring and beat him down. They made him bleed They let him suffer. Millions of them-until one last time, then he gathered himself to his feet..”With his words Hitler convinced the crowd to fight Max with him even though it wouldn’t be a fair fight. (pg 263) -”After a miscarriage pause, the mayor’s wife edged forward and picked up the she was beaten and not from smiling this time Liesel could see it on her face. Blood leaked from her nose and licked at her lips. Her eyes had blackened. Cuts had opened up and a series of wounds were rising to the surfaces of her skin. All from the words. From Liesel’s words”.” Both of these quotes show that words can hurt and sometimes if someone's mad or not thinking clearly they can say those words with enough emotion to hurt someone whether it be emotionally or

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