Symbolism In Markus Zusak´s The Book Thief

Following the time line of World War II the book is considered a piece of historical fiction. This book is called The Book Thief, which was written by Markus Zusak. This book follows the life story of a young girl named Liesel Meminger. The book mentions many historically accurate events and details. The reader is taken into Germany to witness the struggles and hardships that Liesel’s life will lead.

The Book Thief, narrated by Death, is the story of Liesel Meminger, a German girl who given up by her mother to live with Hans and Rosa Hubermann in the small town of Molching. On their way to Molching, Liesel's younger brother dies, and she is traumatized, experiencing nightmares about him for months. Hans is a gentle man who brings her comfort by teaching her how to read, starting with a book Liesel took from the cemetery where her brother was buried. Soon after moving Liesel befriends a Rudy Steiner, a

The narrator stands for Death who sees all and hears all. It tells the story of Liesel’s life and those she encounter’s and how he can be perceived. The books and items that Liesel steal are a representation of her trying to get back the little security she has. By stealing each time it feels as if she is getting her life back. The basement in the Hubermann’s home symbolizes a safe haven from the outside world. It was able to keep both Max and Liesel alive during times of destruction mentally and physically. The book thief was published in 2005. Markus Zusak wrote the book because he was inspired by his parents’ stories of their life during the time. His mother was German and his father was Austrian. These tales are part of the little side stories like when Hans gave the Jew bread. His mother witnessed the Jews being herded to a concentration camp, when a little boy gave an old man a piece of bread. Once Markus started writing about the stories and putting them together he stated he couldn’t stop