1. Explain the symbolism of Death as the omniscient narrator of the novel.
The symbolism of Death as the omniscient narrator fits the novel perfectly. In the story, it makes sense that Death is narrator because it was set during a time of war, where thousands of lives were lost. In my opinion, Death is a very ironic narrator. They say that wars demand more of death, and people think they go great together. Instead, Death disagrees and has a negative view on wars. In the story, Death says, "On many counts, taking a boy like Rudy was robbery" (242). Death shows compassion and feels sorry about Rudy’s death. Death is usually portrayed as a heartless and cruel character, but in the story the author shows a different side of death, with compassion and human-like feelings, which is very ironic.
2. What are Death’s feelings for each victim?
In this story, Death feels differently for each soul that he collects. Death is a very sympathetic character
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Hermann is beautiful in her suffering, and her passion for books. Her desire to help Liesel read shows her beautiful side. Mrs. Hermann’s ugly side came out when she fired Rosa Hubermann from doing her washings. Also, she can be ugly in her stern and cold treatment to most everyone.
5. Why is Death haunted by humans?
Death is haunted by humans because he is unable to change the fate of humans, which disturbs him. Death must endure the horrors of what humans do to each other, and it haunts him. He must witness all the inhumanity. Humans are either going above his expectations by saving lives or going way below them by killing and starting wars. Death finds it haunting how humans can show great acts of kindness and compassion as well as horrible acts of cruelty. In the story Death sates, “I’m always finding humans at their best and worst. I see their ugly and their beauty, and I wonder how the same thing can be both.” (page 491)
6. The Grave Digger’s Handbook is the first book Liesel steals. Why does she take the