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Taking Risks In Markus Zusak's The Book Thief

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What does it mean to take a risk? What are we willing to risk? Many people will take risks in their lives, but what were all willing to put on the line will vary widely. This is the case for many characters in Markus Zusak’s 2005 novel The Book Thief. The characters all put different things on the line for the same soul purpose of helping others. In The Book Thief we learn through the development of different characters, that in order to help others you must take risks.
A way we can see the theme of in order to help others you must take risks is by tracking Hans Hubermann ,Liesel’s father. In the novel when germany first got attacked Hans first reaction was to go help out but quickly changed his mind due to the risks of getting killed. “Should I go out? To see if they need help where the bombs dropped?”(Zusak 383). This shows us who Hans is because we see that Hans would have gone to go help but let fear stop him and stay instead of going and helping others. Later in the novel we see Hans change because when he is fighting in the war he takes the risk of helping an injured jew though he could have gotten killed for helping a jew. “ A blood stain was signed across his face. It trailed off down his throat and neck. “ could you prop me up now, young man?”(Zusak 435). This shows how hans has changed to be willing to risk it all in order to help an injured jew. Hans has developed from the beginning of the novel …show more content…

In The Book Thief, there are many times when the characters have matured from being selfish to caring for others. Liesel,Rudy and Hans like most people in hard times would only care to help themselves survive but they grow to understand the importance of thinking and helping others.The novel teaches us that we need to be willing to look past ourselves and go help others even if that means putting our own safety on the

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