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Book Thief By Markus Zusak: Character Analysis

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Book Thief By Markus Zusak: Character Analysis
"The distinguishing character or personality of an individual" is the definition of identity given by the Merriam Webster dictionary. Yourdictionary.com says the definition of identity is "who you are, the way you think about yourself, the way you are viewed by the world and the characteristics that define you". Based on the setting or an environment, a person can be puzzled about their identity and what they have to offer. Through tone, theme, and character development, Markus Zusak, the writer of both I Am The Messenger and The Book Thief, utilizes the characters of both the story and movie to present the message that you are who you seek to be and that you can be the opposite of what society portrays you to be. Ed Kennedy, the protagonist …show more content…
Liesel is given up by her mother to Hans and Rosa Hubermann, a married German couple. Along the way to the Hubermanns, Liesel younger brother dies. Hans is a humorous old man that brought joy and comfort to Liesel. Rosa is a mean lady that is very strict and blunt. Hans taught Liesel how to read and Liesel in return fell in love with books. The first book Liesel learned to read was a book that she stole from a gravedigger from her brother's funeral. Liesel became friends with her neighbor named Rudy who fell in love with her. During a book burning ceremony, Liesel realized her parents were victimized for being communists. After the burning, Liesel was then spotted by the mayor's wife stealing a book. Owing a favor to his father, Hans agrees to take in Max who is a Jew and hides him in his basement. Despite the age difference, Max and Liesel became close friends. A neighboring friend of Hans, who is a Jew, is approached by the Nazis and Hans decides to defend him. In the process, Hans's name was taken down for trying to help the Jew. Unfortunately, Max has to leave the Hubermann's house for the reason that they were now in danger because of Han's decision. During an unannounced air raid, Liesel was fortunately writing a story in her basement. While she fell asleep in her basement, her neighborhood was being bombed and everyone on her block including Hans, Rosa, and Rudy was killed. Liesel is the only survivor and goes on to live a long successful

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