The Book Thief Analysis
Shaheed Awati
Ms.Pindar
ENG2D
April 17, 2015
The Book Thief Essay
The Book Thief written by Mark Zusak, which is narrated by Death who is also a
character in the story. Death states,
“It’s just a small story really, about, among things: A small girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery” (Zusak 5).
Humans are capable of both great compassion and great evil based on their experiences that shape them. The author demonstrates the theme using conflicts like person versus society, “The Word Shaker” written by Max Vandenburg, and the power of words.
Person versus society conflicts in The Book Thief …show more content…
Characters who demonstrate compassion and evil are
Hans Hubermann; Liesel’s stepfather and an accordionist, Max Vandenburg; the Jewish fist fighter and the secret lodger in the Hubermann’s house, Liesel Meminger; the protagonist of the story and the book thief. Hans versus the Nazis is an example of person versus society conflict, where Hans is the protagonist and the antagonist is the Nazis. One day the Nazis decided to walk the Jewish prisoners down the road and Hans decided to give a piece of bread to one of the Jews.
“[…] Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread […]”, stated Death
(Zusak 394). Feeding Jewish prisoners on their way to Dachau is considered a crime to the Nazi guards so Hans was punished for his act. It might seem like a small thing, but to the Jewish
1
people who saw it as an act of true compassion. Hans’s past experience of Erik Vandenburg; …show more content…
Person versus society conflicts in The Book Thief are implemented to characters who show outcomes of great compassion and great evil.
“The Word Shaker” is an important symbol in The Book Thief, which is written by Max
for Liesel. Max, who understands the effect of Hitler’s propaganda has had on his religion, helps him impart this lesson through his allegorical story “The Word Shaker”, where Zusak depicts the power of words for great compassion and great evil. Max illustrates how Hitler decides to rule the world by using words. Hitler plants trees, which have words that symbolize hate against
Jews. Max educates Liesel about Hitler’s propaganda and the reason for him to hide from the
Nazis. This is an act of compassion from Max who provides knowledge to Liesel about Hitler to be aware that she does not do anything that is against Hitler. Max’s past experience of losing his family due to the Nazis which were commanded by Hitler’s propaganda builds his knowledge about Hitler. “The Word Shaker” written by Max shows how one small girl can have such
Ms.Pindar
ENG2D
April 17, 2015
The Book Thief Essay
The Book Thief written by Mark Zusak, which is narrated by Death who is also a
character in the story. Death states,
“It’s just a small story really, about, among things: A small girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery” (Zusak 5).
Humans are capable of both great compassion and great evil based on their experiences that shape them. The author demonstrates the theme using conflicts like person versus society, “The Word Shaker” written by Max Vandenburg, and the power of words.
Person versus society conflicts in The Book Thief …show more content…
Characters who demonstrate compassion and evil are
Hans Hubermann; Liesel’s stepfather and an accordionist, Max Vandenburg; the Jewish fist fighter and the secret lodger in the Hubermann’s house, Liesel Meminger; the protagonist of the story and the book thief. Hans versus the Nazis is an example of person versus society conflict, where Hans is the protagonist and the antagonist is the Nazis. One day the Nazis decided to walk the Jewish prisoners down the road and Hans decided to give a piece of bread to one of the Jews.
“[…] Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread […]”, stated Death
(Zusak 394). Feeding Jewish prisoners on their way to Dachau is considered a crime to the Nazi guards so Hans was punished for his act. It might seem like a small thing, but to the Jewish
1
people who saw it as an act of true compassion. Hans’s past experience of Erik Vandenburg; …show more content…
Person versus society conflicts in The Book Thief are implemented to characters who show outcomes of great compassion and great evil.
“The Word Shaker” is an important symbol in The Book Thief, which is written by Max
for Liesel. Max, who understands the effect of Hitler’s propaganda has had on his religion, helps him impart this lesson through his allegorical story “The Word Shaker”, where Zusak depicts the power of words for great compassion and great evil. Max illustrates how Hitler decides to rule the world by using words. Hitler plants trees, which have words that symbolize hate against
Jews. Max educates Liesel about Hitler’s propaganda and the reason for him to hide from the
Nazis. This is an act of compassion from Max who provides knowledge to Liesel about Hitler to be aware that she does not do anything that is against Hitler. Max’s past experience of losing his family due to the Nazis which were commanded by Hitler’s propaganda builds his knowledge about Hitler. “The Word Shaker” written by Max shows how one small girl can have such