Analysis Of Death In The Book Thief

Mark Zusak uses a range of techniques in the Book Thief to recreate Nazi Germany and tell a story from a different point of view… Death’s point of view. He incorporates a wide range of literary techniques to recreate experiences and portray emotions that were present during World War 2. One of the key themes in the Book Thief is that of humanity and what effect it had during the period of Nazi Germany.

Zusak tells the story from an omnipresent third person narrator who is known as Death. This creates a dark tone because of how he narrates throughout the book. This tone is a literary technique. Death narrates the entirety of the book providing an insight into events that other characters in the book would not have been able to see or experience. During some parts of the book Death also narrates from Liesel’s point of view; this provides readers with a more

This quote comes after the first bombing in Molching. After re-appearing from the bomb shelter Liesel and Rudy find a crashed fighter plane. During the bombing Liesel reads one of her books aloud as she finds it calming. The Book Thief focuses on characters in dark and dire situations. Death (the narrator) is trying to convince the reader that human existence is worth it.

Books are used as a control mechanism and sense of freedom for Liesel as she finds safety in them. She is constantly invited to the Mayor’s house to read books and when she is no longer allowed to go she takes it upon herself to steal the books.

Death, the omnipresent narrator, provides an insight into the deeper meaning of the Book Thief. Death watches over Liesel and the people around her. When Hans Hubermann goes away, Death follows him and relays to the reader his experiences. Death floats around between characters and delves into their personal lives and