The Book Thief Theme Essay

The theme of the novel, The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak is that there is great power in words and it makes a huge impact on others. As Liesel begins to learn to read, she hungers for words and they are her source of comfort which is why she steals books. Soon she realizes that can be an ugly thing. For example, the way Hitler uses words to encourage the Germans to carry out cruel, violence on innocent people. I chose this theme because I agree on how words can influence people around you. Also how words cannot only be used as encouragement but can be a weapon. My favorite quote that supports this theme very well is “I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right” (Zusak 528). This just says that it’s your choice on how to use words, either to use it for good or for evil.

2. In the beginning of the story, Zusak describes Liesel as shy, traumatized, grieving, and illiterate. As Liesel learns how to read, she becomes more curious and interested in books which is why she steals books, thus making her brave, strong-willed, adventurous,

The climax of the story is at the point where the bombing of Himmel Street took place and which killed not only Liesel’s loved ones but everyone on the street. The only one who survived the bombing was Liesel because she was in the basement. I believe that all of this only happened because of one important event that allowed this story to end how it is; Liesel learns how to read books. This event leads to Liesel and Max bonding over literature, Liesel stealing books from the book burning site and the mayor’s library, reading books to Max, reading out loud to people during the air raids, Ilsa gives Liesel a blank notebook, to finally Liesel stays up late writing The Book Thief which actually is the cause of her survival. Readers connect with the language of the text because they get really into the story and feel like they are actually in it. Hence, making the readers connect with the