In discussion question 3, we analyze the reasons behind Liesel’s book thievery and how they were important to her- emotionally wise and as well as in her outside relationships.…
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 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.…
In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Liesel also known as one of the main characters is a kleptomaniac with a purpose. The novel, set during the WWII around Hitler’s uprising, follows as narrated by death itself a girl growing up during difficult times. Liesel starts a habit of stealing books, some that have greater consequences than others as during that time owning books especially foreign, was prohibited and penalized. Some books have greater consequences than others, but are the risks worth it.…
Stealing her first book opened Liesel up to a world filled with words and grammar. As she stared at The Grave Digger’s Handbook, “touching the print inside, she had no idea what it was saying.”(38). Because Liesel could not read or write, as a nine-year-old, she was forced to attend school with children who just started learning the alphabet. There was a stolen book hidden under Liesel’s bed and she didn’t know what any of the words said. That inspired her to have “sudden desire to read it that she didn’t even attempt to understand” (66). However, it was also ironic that she asked her foster father to teach her these skills, when he could not comprehend them himself. It all became beneficial for Liesel because his lack of ability “would cause less frustration in coping with the girl’s lack of ability” (65). Because Hans could not read acutely, he understood what she was going through, and he was patient. In a few years, she was able to pick up a book and read…
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 times of war things can get ugly fast. War wounds, it scars, it kills, it devastates, and it hurts. The Book Thief written by: Markus Zusak is not just a book about those things, but rather a book about a girl named Liesel Meminger, and her life during WWII. But in Liesel's life, Markus Zusak shows us something else but all the ugliness in WWII, instead he shows us the beauty in times of ugliness in Liesel's life. Some examples of this are, when Hans reads to Liesel after she has nightmares, Liesel reading (using the power of words to calm people down in the bomb shelter, when bombs are dropping, and Liesel reading Mein Kampf with Max in the basement.…
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.…
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.…
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.…
Liesel Meminger once said: “I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right,” (538). Liesel Meminger (sometimes known as “The Book Thief”) is my hero. Liesel was girl in Nazi Germany who was given to a foster family when she was only nine. Her mother was a Communist and was taken away days after she was given away. Liesel is a brave, happy, and hardworking young girl that everyone should strive to be like.…
Mark Zusak emphasises in the novel, The Book Thief, that words have the capacity to both hurt and heal people. In emphasising the theme of hatred in the book Mark Zusak constructs the events that led to Liesel erupting like a volcano. When Ilsa Hermann’s husband fires Mama Liesel, in her anger, screams cruelly at Ilsa saying how because she cannot deal with the death of her son she is contemptible. At that moment Zusak intentionally characterises Liesel as “spiteful” as she begins to discover the “brutality of words”. Although, Liesel starts to learn from Ilsa Hermann that punishing herself will not bring back the people in her life, which were taken.…
The theme Individual vs society is shown In the Book thief in many ways. In The Book Thief, there are many instances when the smaller, personal world of Liesel comes into contact with the larger German society of World War II and the Holocaust going on around them.…
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,…