Comparing The Book Thief And WWII Germany
Historical Fiction Essay
The aim of historical fiction is to allow the reader to re-experience the social and human motives which led people to think and act as they did in historical reality. Thus, the author would do well to maintain accuracy to the historical record, and as such, Mark Zusak’s The Book Thief offers profound insight into the social attitudes of all shades of German during the Nazi era. While many historical similarities can be found between the novel and reality, a more abstract approach can be used to identify the differences. Though some discrepancies between The Book Thief and the real historical account of WWII are evident, the similarities in terms of the power of words, the importance of death, and the awareness of a citizen during WW2 give the story both a compelling message and historical
In both The Book Thief and WWII Germany, words and stories hold immense value and are capable of good or evil. The difference lies in the fact that the former highlights its capacity for good, whereas history, as it tends to, argues each case. For example, in The Book Thief, reading is how Liesel develops a bond with Hans as, “Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father's eyes. They were made of kindness, and silver. […] Upon seeing those eyes, understood that Hans Hubermann was …show more content…
Unfortunately, Liesel was an exception in WW2; most German citizens, especially children in the Hitler Youth, were indoctrinated with the cancerous views held by the Nazis. Combined with terror to intimidate those who did not comply, a new state propaganda program led by Joseph Goebbels manipulated the German population into supporting their radical program. Their message of national unity and a utopian future resonated with millions of Germans. There were, however, some exceptions. Karl Plagge was an engineer and member of the Nazi party during
The aim of historical fiction is to allow the reader to re-experience the social and human motives which led people to think and act as they did in historical reality. Thus, the author would do well to maintain accuracy to the historical record, and as such, Mark Zusak’s The Book Thief offers profound insight into the social attitudes of all shades of German during the Nazi era. While many historical similarities can be found between the novel and reality, a more abstract approach can be used to identify the differences. Though some discrepancies between The Book Thief and the real historical account of WWII are evident, the similarities in terms of the power of words, the importance of death, and the awareness of a citizen during WW2 give the story both a compelling message and historical
In both The Book Thief and WWII Germany, words and stories hold immense value and are capable of good or evil. The difference lies in the fact that the former highlights its capacity for good, whereas history, as it tends to, argues each case. For example, in The Book Thief, reading is how Liesel develops a bond with Hans as, “Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father's eyes. They were made of kindness, and silver. […] Upon seeing those eyes, understood that Hans Hubermann was …show more content…
Unfortunately, Liesel was an exception in WW2; most German citizens, especially children in the Hitler Youth, were indoctrinated with the cancerous views held by the Nazis. Combined with terror to intimidate those who did not comply, a new state propaganda program led by Joseph Goebbels manipulated the German population into supporting their radical program. Their message of national unity and a utopian future resonated with millions of Germans. There were, however, some exceptions. Karl Plagge was an engineer and member of the Nazi party during