An experience can be defined by events that occur or conditions created by us individuals. These experiences may be frightening to an individual as it may encourage negative discoveries about ourselves, others or society. It is important that we learn lessons from experiences and accept the consequence, whether it may be rewarding or not, the discovery may positively impact and alter an individual’s attitude, behaviours and values. This consequently affects others, creating great sense of acceptance, happiness and improved self-esteem. ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak portrays the idea that the horrific, threatening experiences that an individual may endure can be consolidated by unconditional love of parents and true friendship. ‘Cats in The Cradle’, a folk song by Harry Chaplin depicts the idea that realisation in itself is an important discovery as it enables an individual to change, having a positive impact on the people around them. The outlook of an individual strongly influences the impact a discovery has on that person, and how they choose to perceive and react it.…
In the chapter “The Sound of Sirens” in the book The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, is such a strong chapter filled with emotions. Max (a hidden jew) has been hiding from the Nazis in Liesel’s basement for the past twenty-two months. In the middle of the night, sirens go off warning the town to evacuate into bomb shelters. As Liesel and her family scramble with fear, they left Max behind, so they do not get caught for hiding a jew in their house. For Max, he is not allowed to leave the basement because people might see him in the widow. “There were stars,” he said. “They burned my eyes.” While the whole town has evacuated, my prediction was that Max walked upstairs knowing no one would see him, and looked outside for the first time in years. The…
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…
Constructed identities of characters often reflect and or challenge the dominant ideologies circulating at the time of a text setting.…
This passage takes place right after Liesel scolds the Mayor’s wife for firing her mother from the cleaning job.…
If it wouldn’t have been for WWI, Hitler would have been a failed artist, and a jail bird. Instead he became the Chancellor of Germany leading to the death of many Jews, and then himself. Hitler was put in prison for trying to overthrow the Government and was tried for treason. This lead him to join the Nazi Party.…
Although most assume Death looks like the Grim Reaper or a scary skeleton thing, in The Book Thief, Death is not. In fact, he even tells us what he looks like when he says, “I do not carry a sickle or a scythe. I only wear a hooded black robe when it’s cold. And I don’t have those skull-like facial features you seem to enjoy pinning on me from a distance… Find yourself a mirror while I continue” (Zusak 307). Essentially Death is saying that because all humans die, we all resemble death. Humans can and will die, and thus he is one of the things that is constant between all humans. Due to this reason I drew a man looking into a mirror to show Death. I just…
The Book Thief was shot in Germany, with many manipulations to the environment to convey the ideas of the characters in the story, as well as the thoughts of the time. An example of scenery manipulation which was used was the abundance of Nazi flags and propaganda scattered around the film’s setting, likely similar to many places in germany in World War 2. Additionally, scenery conveyed the thoughts of the characters in the scene where Rudy is running away. The world around them is green and lush with wide open spaces, as compared to the monochrome colours and dreariness of the town. This shows that they believe leaving would be an improvement over their current situation. Overall, these two elements only made up a small part of the thought…
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.…
“Jesse Owens had just completed the 4x100m relay and won his fourth gold medal. Talk that he was subhuman because he was black and Hitler’s refusal to shake his hand were touted around the world”…
Zusak is using the metaphor of the trees to represent that hate and the culture of hate needs to be cultivated. Just like love, the seeds of hate need to be care for and fed with hate to result in the type of garden embraced by the…
The power of words have a big impact in this world. What would be appealing without words? Even actions are worth a thousand words. Books wouldn’t exist without words. Markus Zusak, the author of The Book Thief demonstrates throughout the book the power of words.…
Red. Book. Family. Coward. Jew. Death. One may say that they are just words, but is that really all they are? Throughout The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, words bring joy and comfort as well as rage and heartbreak. Liesel Meminger is devastated by the loss of her brother and feels that nothing will relieve her of her agony, until she picks up a book that was left in the graveyard by a gravedigger. This is just the beginning of words playing a major part in Liesel’s life. Words have more power than one could ever imagine.…
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.…
“Courage is simply the willingness to be afraid and act anyway, “ says Dr. Robert Anthony. What is the definition of courage? It doesn’t exactly mean to be fearless about something, but to not let fear stop you from doing it. Courage can have a positive effect because it helps people to achieve their dreams and creates the opportunity for amazing things to happen. Everyone has different opinions, though, and some people think of courage in a negative way. For example, some people who have gained the courage to do very dangerous things have gotten themselves killed, or seriously injured. However, something positive came out from that result, and things happen for a reason. The fact that those people were brave enough to even attempt something…