The Book Thief Critical Analysis

In The Book Thief, guilt can be found as a recurring theme, especially in the cases of Hans Hubermann and Max. In a deeper analysis, the reason as to how and why can be answered. In the novel, Hans recalls how in WWI his life was spared from battle in France, but his friend Erik Vandenburg was not. For that purpose, he then lived the rest of his life in guilt, knowing how easily it could’ve been the reverse. Knowing the fact that Erik also was married, while he was not, further caused him more self-condemnation, which worsened when Hans attempted to find his family and found that Erik had a son. His immense sadness is conveyed after leaving the family; “‘you never told me,’ he said to a dead Erik Vandenburg and the Stuttgart skyline. ‘You never told me you had a son.’” (pg. 179, Zusak). Instead of becoming unhappy and despondent, Hans learns
to channel his guilt through helping others. By promising Erik's wife that he would do anything to help out [“‘You know… he [Erik] saved my life’ (…) He- if there’s anything you ever need...’” (pg. 179, Zusak)], he managed to save Max’s life, hiding a Jew among Nazis, despite knowing the risks. Again, he shows his selflessness by offering bread to an elderly Jewish prisoner who was beaten up: “ The Jew stood before him, expecting another form of derision, but he watched with everyone else as Hans Hubermann held his hand out and presented a piece of bread, like magic. When it changed hands, the Jew …fell to his knees and held Papa’s shins.
He buried his face between them and thanked him.” (pg. 394, Zusak) In correspondence, Max had the notion that “Living was living. The price was guilt and shame.” (pg.208, Zusak), signifying his belief that by abandoning his family, he was indeed alive, but only at the sacrifice of the ones he cared about. Max is haunted by the fact that, “when he was pushed out by the rest of the family, the relief struggled inside of him like an obscenity. It was something he didn’t want to feel, but nonetheless, he felt it with such gusto it made him want to throw up” (pg. 193, Zusak). So he carries his burden, his shame, along with him. Both Hans and Max must live their lives knowing what their choices have resulted, but their actions differ. Hans pushes on living by giving back to others who desperately need it, feeling that being kind will help alleviate some of the sadness and weight he carries, whereas Max’s yearning to survive helps him to prevail, even with the odds against him, although unlike Hans, he lives bitterly and with deep resentment towards
himself.