Romeo & Juliet Literature Analysis
American writer Mary E. Pearson has said, “Words have longer lives than people” (Goodreads 6). This quote is implying that words never fade away. Rather written, spoken, or musically played, people cannot undo the impact of their language. Words not only hold power in real life, but also in fiction novels. The use of the accordion and Liesel’s book in The Book Thief illustrate the presence of symbolism which Markus Zusak uses to shed light on the power of words.
The accordion illustrates the importance of words specifically with Liesel and Max. An example would be the reoccurring event of Liesel having nightmares due to her colored past. Hans comes in repeatedly and comforts her with his calming voice. He plays the accordion and the notes, or words of the instrument sooth her. As Liesel affectionately discusses the accordion in relation to her papa she says, “Sometimes, I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes” (Zusak 527). While this is clearly hyperbole, there is no doubting the effect the instrument had on Liesel and how the musical voice never failed to lull her back to sleep. This example is worth noting because it connects Liesel to her Papa and shows the impact of musical words. Also, the accordion resembles the promise that Hans made to Max’s family. After Erik Vandenberg is killed while serving in the army, Hans tells his (Erik’s) wife that Erik taught him to play and that he would someday repay the Vandenburg family. Years later, Erik’s son Max knocks on 33 Himmel Street and says, “Do you still play the accordion?” (Zusak 173). This example uses the accordion to once again illustrate the power of words. Hans gave the Vandenburgs his word that he would someday help them. While much time has passed, those words held power. When Max was struggling to survive as a Jew in World War II, Germany, Hans’ promise becomes a reality and readers observe that Hans ‘ word was his bond.
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The accordion illustrates the importance of words specifically with Liesel and Max. An example would be the reoccurring event of Liesel having nightmares due to her colored past. Hans comes in repeatedly and comforts her with his calming voice. He plays the accordion and the notes, or words of the instrument sooth her. As Liesel affectionately discusses the accordion in relation to her papa she says, “Sometimes, I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes” (Zusak 527). While this is clearly hyperbole, there is no doubting the effect the instrument had on Liesel and how the musical voice never failed to lull her back to sleep. This example is worth noting because it connects Liesel to her Papa and shows the impact of musical words. Also, the accordion resembles the promise that Hans made to Max’s family. After Erik Vandenberg is killed while serving in the army, Hans tells his (Erik’s) wife that Erik taught him to play and that he would someday repay the Vandenburg family. Years later, Erik’s son Max knocks on 33 Himmel Street and says, “Do you still play the accordion?” (Zusak 173). This example uses the accordion to once again illustrate the power of words. Hans gave the Vandenburgs his word that he would someday help them. While much time has passed, those words held power. When Max was struggling to survive as a Jew in World War II, Germany, Hans’ promise becomes a reality and readers observe that Hans ‘ word was his bond.
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