Death is our guide and narrator to 'The Book Thief,' by Markus Zuzak. In some ways Death seems human as we see that he experiences both sadness and joy in the novel and even gets depressed. To help distract him from his sad, never-ending work, he often fixates on the colour of the sky as a distraction from the anguished survivors of the dead. Death faces suffering with dignity. He does not enjoy his never-ending job of collecting souls but he keeps persevering as he knows he must continue for the sake of the living. Like many humans, Death tries to find ways to give meaning to his…
This Passage reminds me of the similar situation that has happened to Liesel when her younger brother, Werner, died suddenly during their trip to Germany. Similarly, Arthur Berg is also going through this situation, but with his sister dying in his arms. Also, when death, the narrator says that he "could sense [that] he would hold her for hours," it reminds me of Liesel shaking his brother as she doesn’t believe that he is dead. (Zusak 167) As well, these passage allows the reader to understand that death can arrive at anytime, leaving their loved ones in sorrow, which is also one of theme that is revealed through this piece of…
Markus Zusak’s sanguine novel The Book Thief illustrates the austere story of a Jewish foster girl living amidst the cruelty and devastation of World War II. Liesel Meminger, an intelligent and kind-hearted youngster stricken by family tragedy, must contend with both physical and emotional conflict as she and her friends cope with the atrocities of life in Nazi Germany. In spite of the chaos encompassing their lives, Liesel and her allies manage to find peace and resilience through love and compassion.…
The effectiveness of words is more impressive than we tend to understand. Words are just different combinations of the same letters, but without their existence, life would have no direction. We often take for granted our ability to share and comprehend ideas. Throughout The Book Thief, however, Liesel slowly realizes just how powerful her own words can be. Taking into consideration the stolen novels, the German autobiography, and the two stories written by Max, it is safe to say that each of these books contributes to the theme of The Book Thief.…
Markus Zusak’s poignant novel The Book Thief chronicles the struggles of a young bibliophile who suffers great losses during the time of the Holocaust. Death trails Liesel Meminger as she slowly develops literacy and a passion for pilfering novels. The theme of death recurs throughout the novel as it presents itself continuously within tragedy and suffering.…
One can receive words as direction while others use them in negative ways. Words are highly influential on Liesel’s life in The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. When Liesel stole her first book, it was “the beginning of an illustrious career” (29). Liesel’s obsession with stealing books is ironic because she was in act of seeking revenge while she could not read or write.…
In this quote, on page 446 of the Book Thief, Zusak is stressing the idea that without the knowledge of words and not knowing the extreme power they contain, humans wouldn't be able to fufill their desires and express the potential they have hidden deep inside of them. Whether one uses these words to discriminate and disparage a certain race, or instead take the same words to heal, save, and to fight against justice, it all relies on the specific diction used.…
In cinematic performances, Death is often portrayed as heartless and also often exemplifies the characteristics of a malevolent character. However, contrary to this popular concept, the character of death in The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, has a very humane personality, with his ability to feel pain, sympathy, and humor causing him to defy most stereotypes set by other portrayals. In the novel, he narrates the life of a girl named Liesel, a German citizen who lost her parents and her brother at an early age and has been adopted by two foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermman. It is within this narration that Death reveals is compassion for humanity.…
A girl who steals books and a person who collects souls, it’s an unusual combination that works.The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is a novel that follows a young girl named Liesel Meminger in Nazi Germany. The Narration is done by “Death”, a soul collecting immortal. Having Death as the narrator creates a dark and dreary tone. Death as a character is very cynical and depressing , he’s the exact opposite of what you would expect the grim reaper to be.The dramatic irony caused by death’s comments,enhances the understanding of the suffering of Liesel Meminger. Death as a narrator creates irony in the story, and as result it creates a depressing mood.…
Humans often underestimate the great capability in language. Markus Zuzak’s The Book Thief demonstrates the significance of words in society through the life of the young protagonist, Liesel Meminger, an adolescent girl growing up in Nazi Germany. Zuzak reveals the strength of words through the nature of his characters. Similarly, motifs communicate the practice of using human language to express power. Furthermore, conflict emphasizes the ways in which one uses words to create a powerful atmosphere for oneself. Throughout the course of the novel, it is illustrated that human language is an essential element utilized by people in order to demonstrate power or authority over others.…
In the Historical Fiction novel, The Book Thief, author Markus Zusak illustrates the importance of words and friendship during the Nazi rule in Germany. The first spark of friendship between Hans and Liesel ignites when they learn to read and write together. Because of Liesel's ability to read, Max and Liesel become instant friends. The importance of words and the kinship that comes with proves relevant throughout the entire story. The author uses the relationship of Hans and Liesel to demonstrate how reading and writing can bloom into a thriving friendship and the relationship of Liesel and Max to demonstrate how words can provide the ability to survive in a crisis.…
In The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak, the narrator, Death, tells the life story of a young girl named Liesel Meminger during World War II. He explains the events and challenges Liesel experiences due to Hitler’s words and influence. In this passage, the author uses diction, imagery, and details to help the reader imagine and have a deeper understanding of the events taking place and the character’s thoughts and feelings.…
The power of words…it is shown in this book, it shows how people are destroyed and how people are saved from words. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak shows his audience that words have the power to heal or destroy. Liesel, the main character and the book thief, Max the jew, and Hitler the fuhrer are the ones who show how they have used words to affect others in both positive and negative ways . Throughout the story it shows Liesel's great passion for books as well as her dedication to learn how to read.…
The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, has caused me to have multiple reactions, to the story, characters, and themes. They have made me feel mad, sad, upset, happy, but most of all surprised; throughout the recent readings every night more gets added to the story and more just surprises me. What completely shocked/surprised me was when Liesel fought back against Ludwig Schmeikl and what followed afterwards. However, there has been far more things than just that, that have surprised me. A couple include Liesel receiving two books for christmas, Hans Junior leaving, and how Rudy has reacted to Liesel throughout the entire passage,…
Quotation 1: Yes, the Führer decided that he would rule the world with words. ‘I will never fire a gun,’ he devised. ‘I will not have to.’ … His first plan of attack was to plant the words in as many areas of his homeland as possible. He watched them grow, until eventually, great forests of words had risen throughout Germany … It was a nation of farmed thoughts.” (Zusak 451)…